Hometown, Shometown... I live everywhere (in the Midwest) now!

After one month in Minnesota, I managed to weasel in a trip back home to Oxford!  I obvi can't stay away from the town I lived in for um... 24 years straight.  That's a long time and I'm kind of embarrassed.  Jarod is back in town for Miami's First Pro Camp (which was completely successful on so many levels, might I add)

As much as I've enjoyed big city living, where you can get to the mall in 15 minutes (unheard of) and there's a Tbell/Long John Silvers combo (Heaven?) down the street,  I much enjoy driving an hour to the city, realizing that my sister and I were going to different places (in the same car) to stop for 10 minutes to get a set of golf clubs Jarod probably won't use. Then jetting 20 minutes the other way to a Target that also doesn't carry the carseat that everyone in Southwestern Ohio wants having a small breakdown because I lost misplaced my keys in my purse and realized my credit card was left at a restaurant back home (30 minutes).  (Big Rant)

Anyway, it's been rather nice to be home.  I landscaped manicured my eyebrows, can take regular showers, and no longer have a child.  It's like being in college again, except I'm allowed to sleep in the same room as my significant other.... in my full size bed...with my 11 month old child....awkward? Yes.  Sammy has enjoyed his time, and I haven't heard him laugh this much since the last time we were in Oxford.  I feel bad taking him away from all these people he loves (my parents, his little friends, my sisters, Oxfordians that love him...etc) but he has to learn to hate his parents sometime, right? I think I'm doing a good job of that.

Sammy's been doing this thing where when he sees me, he clings like those baboon babies have to when their mother's are swinging from trees.  1. I don't swing from trees. I'm afraid of heights and fast moving vehicles 2. This is new.  He usually hates being around my boney little body.  I think he's afraid I'm going to leave him somewhere and never come back.  Sometimes I joke around and say things like that to him, but I didn't think he understood.  My dad said I should stop saying "Bye Sammy.  Mommy loves you! See you...N-E-V-E-R" when I go somewhere without him.  Suggestions?

Sammy will be one year old in about a month.  The other day, I asked how old someone's baby was.  She told me X months.  Then she went on this explanation about the age based on weeks vs actual number date on the calendar and there being a difference.  There was also the suggestion that there is a difference between how YOU count and how the doctor counts.  I was obvi half listening, but when she left, I realized... I have no idea how old Sam is according to the doctor.  I hardly remember how old he is to me.  I'm really glad it's smooth sailing as far as getting to the one year mark.  I don't think I'm going to say things like Sam is 48 months old or whatever.  That's confusing and I can't do simple math.

Speaking of the monkey's milestone, we have a lot that's coming up!  There's pictures, birthday parties, galore!  I'm little bit hating this planning.  While I LOVE the idea of having a special day for my little ball of joy, some people keep telling me, "You don't have to make a big deal.  He's not going to remember it." Yes he is.  Didn't you notice? He's a baby genius.  His first memory will probably be coming into the world via birth.  I have some Fresh Beat ideas, and I really wanna follow through.  We will be back in Ohio for a party, but not before partying it up in Minnesota!  If we're really lucky (maaaybe) I can get Jarod to let us party in Texas as well with all our friends!

We've done the first haircut, he's got a couple teeth, and he will soon to be walking! (I really hope.  Jarod might have a minor heart attack if it doesn't happen soon)  He's been saying things like "Cup" and "Cow?" (just like a  question) and has learned to point his finger at me when he's mad (at least it's not the middle one!)  I'm exhausted from all this craziness, but you know it wouldn't be a summer unless we went "Up North" which we will be doing directly after this week in Ohio for four days.  Then it's off to the State Fair!  Then we will be back in Ohio, and my head my spin off as the finale of Sammy's birthday party.  That or a special choreographed dance.  I haven't decided.  So let's show our life in pictures!

This is how the booger sleeps...

Morning before his first haircut!

 

A little nervous in the chair

"Just a little off the top"

Trying to find the buzzing sound

So handsome!

Nap time with Lion

Time out Nap

Dinner with Daddy

Meeting Kai Lan at the Mall of America 

Wanting to get into the tank at the aquarium

Ride Along This Beautiful Journey We Call Love

It's been a long week since my Texas trip... probably because I haven't come down from my BBQ high (OMG, I LOVE!)  It was filled with my favorite F's: fun, friends (and I wish they were going to be my family!), and food!  I'm in love with Texas, and my old roomie/the bride would love to hear that.  I've never felt more welcomed by such a large group of people.  Let's face it, I'm awkward and people pick up on it quick... everyone except Texans!

So does anyone understand Mountain Time?  I felt like I was in a time warp.  My BFF Britt and I were both on Mountain Time, but the times were different.  Does that even make sense?  I guess the better question is, how many time zones are in America? And what are their names?  I obviously have no idea, and I was confused.  Here was the actual BBM convo we had:
-"What is the time difference for Mountain Time?"
-"I'm not sure."
- "What time is it in Phoenix for you?"
-"Umm 1:46"
-"It's 2:52 here...this makes zero sense... where are we in this country?"
-"I told you it's weird... hahaha"
- "Mountain Time is the Twilight zone!"

The conversation goes on to things that don't make sense or match up with this conversation (distractions) but apparently we had a misunderstand and BFF Britt didn't tell me the time at that very moment that I asked her, instead she asked an old man who might have been senile, and she might have waited awhile to tell me the actual time, but whatevs.  I never want to live in that time zone.

The one thing I cannot stand about Texas, right now, are the highway systems.  They keep building more and re-routing old ones, and it's just so darn confusing.  For awhile, the GPS said we were in a river...what?  hahaha.  There are about a half million ways to get to one place (access roads, highway, back roads, Ryan's beloved phone GPS, our GPS, Kalina's way, the back-back roads, short cuts, the river...) geez louise, I had no idea where we were ever.  Good thing my BFF Britt was driving, I would have just given up.

The day we got there, I called Elisa to let her know we were on our way to her house.

-"YO!" says a man's voice. 

       Um, I knew it was Ryan, but I was uncomfortable.  We don't know each other... 

-*long PAUSE* "Um, hiii.  This is Vi.  We're um, on our way" 

-"OK great! Do you need directions"

-"No, we have a GPS"

-"Do you know where you are?"

-"No, we have a GPS"

-"Alright, we'll see you when you get here"

-"Yeah, we'll get there at about 6" **BFF Britt's GPS is set at California time.... it was already 7 o'clock. Time Warp once more!

As much as I'd love to go into every detail, because I would... Here are the highlights of the praise I received that weekend:

"You're fun"
"I like the way they talk to each other" -I was eavesdropping
"It was really nice to meet you!" - I hardly talked to this lady
"If the DJ fails, Vi, you have to get up and beat box" -My fave, Kevin
"You're job is to be here and have fun. No worries this weekend!"- Ryan's step dad loving us!
"I really enjoyed watching you guys dance" (In a non-creepy way)

It was a beautiful day, the whole wedding was beautiful! I will say, if I'm back in Texas this year, I'm taking line dancing classes.  There are a lot of them, and I would like to know at least two.  I missed my little bug and I'm glad he survived the weekend.  He was so happy to see me! I LOVED it!

Pics of the day:

Texas Old Town, Rosebud Hall

Beautiful sunset that night that I forgot to take a pic of

Bride and her maids

Favor Magnets

Getting artsy with the jewelry

Little Ellie: We bonded over my Dora knowledge

Me and my BFF Britt

Us and Kalina

Us and Elisa

Party!

My Little Animal!

Usually, I don't think of titles for my blogs until after I write them, but from the sound of it, everyone is super interested in what is going on with my little coconut, rather than my adventures in landscaping!  And, on top of everything else, he is currently snugged up close to me like a little puppy in my bed.  My heart is literally swollen with love, it's absolutely crazy!  I am so blessed to have such a cutie for a son, who is healthy, happy, and so incredibly smart!  I hate to brag, but I will (actually, I love it, but that's the saying, right?)  I don't know how I deserved such a fantastic child!

A little side note:  As I started thinking about this blog, I realized I don't really touch on anything unexpected that I've encountered as a mommy.  Honestly, besides the fact that Sammy has no teeth, can't really talk, and poops his pants on the reg, I mostly treat him like I treat everyone else (except with a lot more loving; he can't help that he doesn't know how to use the toilet yet, or can't really eat solids.)  I don't know if there's something wrong with me, but he pretty much does with me what I do with my BFF Britt: Hang out, watch our favorite programs, play with some cool toys, and listen to music.  I think I will start doing a little more with sharing the products I like to use, websites to check out, and that sort of thing, but as far as parental advice? Um, ask Mother Dearest.  I have none for you, except, I do what I want. nbd.

I uploaded about a bizillion  new photos of Sam, so I'll sift through a few albums to share on here.  It really is a big thing for me to share photos of Sammy.  Before Sam was born, and for those few months after that I went crazy, I decided I wouldn't put any pictures of Sam online, ever.  I was even very cautious of putting them on Walmart's website to get printed!  But after a lot of people started asking (after my famous, "brb, going to have a baby" facebook status) me, "what does your kid look like?"  Um, I never answered those questions. But just like Suri Cruise, Sammy photos began to appear on facebook a few months after he was born.   Do I wish I got paid for that? Yes.  Am I willing to exploit my child for fame and the dollas? Yes.  hahah.  JK JK that was a joke.  Lil' Sammy is just for the loved ones, other relatives and friends.

Lets talk a little Sam-a-lam!  My child has turned into an animal.  He's crawling/ on the verge of standing on his own right now.  He chases balls around the house, can get in and out of all the nooks and crannies of my parent's house, and always wants to go outside (must have picked this up from the Palmer side).  He's a bit of a spoiled brat, but that's just one of the consequences of me staying at my parents house right now.  Just as my dad says, "You for discipline, I'm for spoil him ROTTEN!"  I can't stop them, obvi (you can't stop my parents from doing anything) but I'm trying to explain to them that it's not a lifestyle.  My mom understands, hence Sam's dying love for my dad and continual yelling battles with my mom.  I love it! hahha.  Sam has understood the different relationships he has with different people, and usually is only a brat with my dad (although he is still a baby, so it comes out once in awhile with others) He's such a cutie

Gpa being PA to Sam's busy computer time

My dad had never fed a baby before Sam, and thinks he does it best.... like this? Seriously?  He has my dad wrapped around his little finger to a point where when my dad goes to kiss him, Sam sticks out his hand for my dad to kiss.  I SWEAR this happens!  He loves everyone and hardly complains... this lasts until you put shoes on his feet.  Apparently he loves shoes on other people's feet, but for him... they should go in his mouth.  He's weird.  I bought some hi tops for him and he pulls them off on the reg.  He seems to enjoy his nikes.  Maybe because they have more bounce or something.  He laughs when he stands up on them.  

The other day, I caught Sam in his cage standing and trying to let go of the side.  Sooo happy!  My adventurous babe is one step closer to walking!  At 8 months, he is a perfectionist.  He practices everything in his crib until he gets it JUST right, then will do it in front of the crowd.  How crazy!  The other morning, he woke up before I did, and was in his crib (for once) saying "pa pa pa pa"  I hardly ever hear him saying consonant sounds.  I started trying a lot, because I have a hard time explaining to people that I taught him to growl and hoot so obvi he will learn to talk.  People don't understand.  Anyway, he's really into his ba ba's, pa pa's, and la la's.  That's good enough... but no teeth yet!

My smarty pants has also out smarted me.  My mom suggested I buy more Mr. Cows incase the original gets lost, so I bought 3 on Amazon.  No one can fool Sammy Palmer!  He took one look at an impostor and threw it in my face.  He would have none of it, and I wasted 12 dollars.  Kill me.

As I remember my Sammy stories, I'll be writing more! But here are some photos of the lil tike!

Lil Chubster loves me!

Play time with mommy!

Trying to make friends!

Everyone at Findley Market LOVED this!

Time at Auntie Thanh's!

Tickles get him every time!

Sleeping with Cow and Auntie Nga

My Green Fingers

I've seriously missed all of my fave shows these past few weeks.  I can't believe it's already season finale time!  It actually makes me kinda glad I haven't watch any of my shows... it'll give me something to do when I have downtime (when?!?) after all this wedding business is ova!!  I haven't returned phone calls, my hair is a crazzzy mess, and who knows when I last shaved my legs, because I don't!

Speaking of weddings, lemme tell you something, deciding that you're going to do a wedding at home is the worst idea ever.  Especially when your parent's yard is practically a construction zone.   My dad has  a construction business that he runs out of our house.  His workshop is our garage and back yard.  We have a lot of work on our hands.

Also, our backyard needed a good amount of TLC.  This past week or so, I took on a special project, our backyard garden.  Take a look at what I had to work with:

Before

The lawn extended itself into the area

Seriously scared when I first saw this

The far side was my mom's "herb garden" I guess she was going au naturale 

Seriously?

The mini-jungle that existed took about 5 hours of work to clear out.  I pretty much bulldozed through all of the grass, just trying to get up all the dirt with the grass and throwing it away.

Phase two:

After digging everything up, it seemed semi-workable.  The only thing that held me back was this stupid toad, who seriously wouldn't leave.  Put spiders, worms, beetles... anything in front of me, I don't care, but amphibians and reptiles make my heart jump into my throat, I thought I was going to throw up.  All the same, I finished!  Finished results!

Planting flowers!

Moved the flower bush...I hope it lives!...and I threw out the mums. Gross.

Herb Garden... the mess on the side will stay. My mom wouldn't let me fix it

Mulching!

There's TONS more work that needs to be done EVERYWHERE. Like the hole my dad dug 12 years ago to make a pond... and all the other crap around the deck and house that needs to disappear... wish me luck!!