Zoom! Zoom!

Today I said goodbye to a very dear member of my family...my 2004 Mazda 3!  It was my very first brand new car.  This car was so brand new I helped unwrap it off the truck and remove the plastic from the interior.  Every single mile put on this baby was done so by me or someone I had given permission to.  On her last day with me she had racked up a total of 123,231.

She still looks good!

Of course there were more than a few self-inflicted injuries.  

One year for Christmas Mike and I drove her from Baltimore to WI, half of it through a snow storm.  A drunk, with no shoes, tried to kick her door in...you should see the surveillance video, it is hilarious!  Then there was the time it took the Baltimore City Fire Department to help me change a flat tire.  

I'll never forget the day I got her, Memorial Day 2004.  It's funny to think that Mike was with me on that day too.  The sales guy's name was Cal Steele, I'm being serious.  But the most memorable thing for me was my reaction as he was discussing all of the safety features.  I rolled my eyes with exasperation; thinking there was no way I'd still have this car when I had a child.  Now Kolton knows her so well.  He still says "a-MaMa"  when he sees another Mazda.  And lately he's headed straight for her when he's ready to leave.  She will be greatly missed!

So now its time to move on....

....into a 2014 Mazda CX5  Zoom!  Zoom!

Royal Highness

I can't explain exactly why but I just can't wipe the smile off my face because of the Royal Baby!  I really thought it was going to be a girl....but oh my baby boys are just sooooooooo sweet!

Friday evening Kolton and I went to a birthday party at Romp&Roll.  During the snack/cake part we were seated next to a mom & son we had never met before.  She asked me how old Kolton was and said her son was just about to turn 2.  Then she said "So, when did he start talking because my son hasn't started yet and people are starting to imply something may be wrong."  My jaw hit the floor!  This woman was me a year ago!  I, of course, got diarrhea of the mouth and just blabbed about everything we have been through.  Others chimed in as well.  I think now that Kolton has actually started to talk I'm more confident in telling others not to worry too much. But I also know all too well that it's easier said than done.  I also find it interesting that this issue was addressed on the show Pretty Wicked Moms.  Did anyone else watch?

Right now there is nothing sweeter than hearing my baby's voice and seeing his delight when he says new words.  He's still not using language to communicate needs; he's mostly just naming things.  But I know once he figures it out more he'll have a lot to say.

Bad Mommy!

I'm a bad Mommy...I haven't taken a photo of Kolton in over a week!  And he has actually started saying Mommy instead of Mama.  Truth be told we were still in WI until Saturday.  We were originally set to come home that Friday but after getting through security at the airport I learned that our flight was delayed for over 2 hours.  Thankfully the Delta gate agent took pity on me as I was traveling alone with both Kolton and Sophie.  He was awesome and quickly booked me on a different flight the next day at no additional charge.

This week we've just been getting back into the swing of things with multiple play dates, dinner dates, and a birthday party tomorrow.  Is it hot where you are?  I'm a fan of hot weather but this is ridiculous!

Leaps and Bounds

Hello???  Are you there???  For anyone who still likes to keep up on Kolton I'm sorry I haven't had an update in nearly 2 weeks.  We spent the 4th of July holiday weekend in WI.  And just like our other trips back home I'm flying back with a completely different child than I flew in with. Kolton's vocabulary has exploded!  He's not completely clear of course but still unmistakable.  I'm so proud. 

This is the list he's started to say in just the last week...Hi, Bye, Go, Stop, All Done, Fan, Knock-knock, and "Get Er Done!"  as in Larry the Cable Guy...(Hey, it's Wisconsin!)

He also seems so much older.  He will be 2 and 1/2 in a week or so.  I'm starting to realize just how much I can trust him; with a watchful eye of course.

We got to see both of our families and some of my friends.  Once again I need to remind myself to take more pictures early and often.  Especially when there are multiple children involved.  We had a blast and here are some more pictures to compensate for my lack of posts.

 Kolton still does not like ice cream.  But he actually took a few bites this time.

 Kolton and Jameson (my friend Anna's son) taking drink breaks.  Not something we encouraged! 

 Tired Boy

 Lake Wissota  Its funny how much I miss the lakes.  Although I'm starting to love the beaches of the Eastern Shore; its just not quite the same.

 Happy 4th of July on the 6th July when my parents had their big party.  13 kids and about 30 adults...its getting to be quite the annual shin-dig.

 Trying to stay awake for fire works.  He was still a little scared this year so I didn't force it.  My mom always gets fun glow things to pass out to the kids around dark.  We have already been online looking at flashing bracelets for next year.

Sophie's new friend!  Also what my step-dad threatens will happens if she poops in the house...Just Kidding!

Second Thoughts

I was going to write about how Kolton's little quirks have been in overdrive lately.

I was going to write about that stay at home mom who publicly announced that she regretted it and how its just another example of women judging each other.

I was going to write about how much we are looking forward to our visit back to MN/WI in a few days.

But instead I ask that you relish in the pure joy of summer.  I hope it doesn't go by too fast!

Symbols

Thankfully the dogs have managed to find some peace with each other.  We still have to shoo Oscar off  of Sophie quite a bit but she learned that if she just sits down he is denied access.  So while things are still a little helter skelter around here we've settled in to a nice little rhythm.

Little man has been just as sweet as can be lately.  I didn't want to say anything before so not to jinx it but we finally got back to a quiet bed time routine.  One book and "The Wheels on the Bus" and that's it.  Hallelujah!

He's also been identifying symbols...mainly Mazda and Acura; the cars we drive.  I kid you not he can spot them before I do.  He'll point to a vehicle and say "a-Mama" and sure enough its a Mazda.  It doesn't matter the color or type, he just knows.  Same thing with Acura for Dada.  Things like this let me know just how smart he is.  I love him sooooo much!

And Happy Birthday to my mom.  60 years young!  Wish we were there to celebrate =)

Houseguest

I'm dog sitting this week while a Richmond friend is at the beach.  Oscar is a male, around 8 months old and he is not fixed.  I highly underestimated his natural urges!  He will not leave Sophie alone for 2 seconds.  Sophie is fixed so I'm not worried about her getting preggers or anything but,  I can't subject my baby girl to getting humped non stop for 5 days.  So they are living on separate floors; Oscar downstairs and Sophie upstairs in my bedroom.  I feel a little bad because I'm not really spending that much time with her but she's pretty laid back now.  Its crazy but I honestly forgot what it was like to have a puppy in the house.  The constant potty breaks and high energy have me thrown for a loop.  The fact that I also can't walk them together means its a little more work than I thought it would be.  Is this what it's like to have 2 kids??????