Friday, March 30, 2007

Little Stinker


You can't see it in the photo, but Chase's hat says "Little Stinker" and that's just what he is alright. He's zooming all over the place now, and soon he will be cruising as his new favorite pastime is using the ottoman to pull himself up to a standing position. He has also started to get really excited when it's time to eat. The mere sight of his bottle causes him to kick his feet and let loose a high pitched squeal of glee.

Chase's friend Allie has the chicken pox. We were a bit worried that Chase would start resembling the elephant from Rudolph, but so far I see not a single dot on him. That's right, it looks like we will be pock free in month number three. Of course, we could be very sore in the month of four...

Friday, March 23, 2007

Why 8 month old boys should not go dress shopping

Yesterday, I decided that we'd been locked up in this house too long, so off we went to the Dulles mall. Now this was probably not the most brilliant idea that I have ever had considering that Chase is still a well-oiled snot factory with his latest product of snot bubbles currently in mass production. But then again, you really shouldn't be surprised by my choices, no one ever said that I was the brightest bulb in the box.

We get to the mall where I begin to check things off of my "must do" list.

1. Spend Gymboree bucks. Check
2. Buy extra long tanks from Old Navy before the only color choices left are lime
and fuchsia. Check
3. Purchase pajamas for Chase in bigger size. Ignore warning label about needing snug fit or baby goes up in flames. Check

I was feeling pretty good about having accomplished these three goals with only minor fussing and the sacrifice of just 2 paper towels to phlegm clean up. So, I thought to myself, "Self, you need to find a formal dress to wear to Vegas for your Arbonne Awards celebration. Remember, you are going to be walking across stage in front of thousands of adoring fans, so you must look presentable. Now would be the perfect time to try to find said dress."

So naively, I head to Macy's thinking that not only would I find a magnificent frock, but the process would go smoothly. Ha, Ha, double Ha. First, I must find the formal dress section of the store which of course is in the opposite direction of the way that I set out. Then I have to navigate Chase's stroller around the racks of clothes that are too close to one another while looking at one hideous garment after another. Formal does not mean that you need your entire top half covered in sequins and sparkles people. Also, 60 year old women who go on cruises is not your only market for a formal dress...wait it just occurs to me that it is prom season. I should have hit the juniors section...oh wait, I wouldn't fit in any of those dresses. Aack!

Finally, at the very end of the formal area, I spy a simple, red, halter dress that would be perfect--if it fits. So, I gamely head into the dressing area where--surprise, surprise--every dressing room is piled high with unwanted clothes because nearly everyone is too lazy to put her cast offs on the rack RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR. After plowing a path, I attempt to push the stroller into the dressing room, and by room, I mean teeny, tiny closet. The stroller barely squeezes through the door, and once inside it takes up 92% of the floor space--and it's my little stroller! Imagine if I had the humungo Graeco with me?? Am I the only mother who needs to try on clothes with a little one in tow? I think not--listen up Mr. Macy--build bigger dressing rooms.

Picture this: I'm trying to wiggle out of my clothes and into a gown in exactly 10 square inches of space and young Master Chase is getting cranky.

Me: There, there Mommy just needs to pull her shoes off. Ouch. Shoe hits mom in head I need to try on this pretty dress to see if I can wear it to Vegas. Pants land on Chase's feet.
Chase: Waaaahh Gaa DaDa (translation: get me out of here crazy lady)

Me: Ummpfh Just let me....get....dress...on...where's the dang neck of this stupid dress? What am I supposed to do with this sash? Why are the straps so loose?? Looks a little big doesn't it? Guess it's not going to work for Mommy is it?

Chase: Waahhh Waaahhh Wahh DaDaDaDa (translation: you look ridiculous, where is my dad?)

Me: Ok, just let mommy get dressed again. Where is my other shoe?? Begins frantically throwing unwanted clothes around looking for shoe. Finds it behind stroller. Really Chase, is this outburst necessary? Mommy is trying to hurry. We'll be going in a minute, you know--sixty seconds? Count to sixty with Mommy, Chase. 1, 2, 3........

Lady in next Dressing room: Snickers a little too loudly for my liking

Chase: Waahhhh, Waaahhhh, Wahhhhhh (translation: I plan on howling for the next 2 hours straight as punishment for your bringing me here)

So we left. And, yes, I hung the red halter mess on the rack outside the door.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Drive by posting

Just a few pictures today...no sizzling commentary I am afraid to say. Maybe next time.


Looky what I can do now!



I haven't been feeling well, can you see the snot crusties under my nose?



Thursday, March 15, 2007

Mother Nature is such a tease



So...the last three days have been lovely. Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, and birds are chirping. Time to break out the sun dresses and capris right?? Wrong. The universe has decided that after three straight days of >60 degree weather, we shall now have a sudden drop in temperature and a winter storm warning. Fan-freakin-tastic.
In other news...this has been a very busy week for Mr. Chase. He's gotten his second tooth, has progressed to being a master crawler, he can raise himself up to a kneeling position which he finds handy for digging through his toy basket, and he took five steps today with mommy holding his hands. Everyday is a new adventure with this one. In honor of the speed of change, I present to you a baker's dozen list of things that I enjoy about Chase.
1. The way he laughs uncontrollably at his father's antics
2. The faces he makes when he takes a bite of something he doesn't like
3. How he buries his face in my shoulder when he's shy around strangers
4. How cute he looks from behind in his overalls
5. Babbling duels
6. His helping mommy read the stories by turning the pages
7. The fascination he has for water bottles
8. The evil little smile he gets when he's caught playing with the TV receiver
9. How he talks incessantly and tries to grab the phone when I am talking on it
10. The way he lounges in the stroller with his feet up on bar like he's mister coolness
11. His smile when I give him his blankie for naptime
(even though it's often followed by screams)
12. The way he flails his arms all around when he's excited
13. When he grabs my face and gives me kisses



See, told you he looked cute in his overalls.




Friday, March 09, 2007

Random Bear Photos

Here are a couple pictures of Chase playing with the bear that MomMom and PopPop sent him for Valentine's day. When you squeeze him, his cheeks light up and he talks to you. Chase enjoys chewing on his feet and attempting to smother him.



Pop Quiz

Today's tummy ache was caused by:

a: an unpleasant case of rotovirus
b: an ulcer
c: ingestion of an obscene amount of cocoa pebbles
d: an alien baby growing in my tummy
e. all of the above


Quick--what's your answer?? Don't choke now!


ETA: No mom, I'm not preggo. The correct answer is C.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Giving the masses their bargain fix

For all of you out there who have been dying for another dose of MellonBargains, I give to you the following:


8 boxes cereal (Multi Grain Cheerios and Smart Start Cinnamon and Raisin)
2 bags Success Brown Rice (Yum-o!)
2 containers cat food (for the momma--I don't have cats)
1 egg coloring kit (for the noodle...ok for me)

Original price: $44.62
Mellon paid: $13.40

That should hold you over for a couple weeks, don't you think??

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Firsts



This weekend has seen a few firsts for the little munchkin. The first momentous occasion of the weekend was that Chase had to have his poop-filled diaper changed in a restaurant bathroom. Yep, stinky la pew boy let one loose in Texas Roadhouse. Lucky for me, Auntie Nicole was there and willing to help Mommy change the little stink bomb. Good thing too, since he ruined his pants, was twisting like a flag in the wind, and was sharing his trademarked scream of death with the entire restaurant. Oh yea and did I mention that I got a little poop smear on the sleeve of my shirt?? Good times, good times.

On to our next noteworthy happening. Saturday, the family took a walk to the park by the community pool. Once we were there, we plopped Noodle into the baby swing for his very first big boy swing experience. I was more excited about it than he was. He just slouched down in the seat and looked at us as if to say, "Now what?". 5 minutes later, we headed home--but not before I went down the slide for old times sake. I am such a child.

The walk in the stroller was more enthralling for him than the swing. He had belt buckles to play with and elementary aged kids to make faces at. One of those lovely tots tried to pretend that Iverson bit him by yelling "Ouch" when he reached down to pet him. Bratty boy. Obviously this was way more exciting than a little ride in a swing.

The last major event of the weekend was Chase's first bath in the big tub without using the baby tub. This trial went way better than the swing. While he was a bit nervous at first as demonstrated by his peeing all over mommy while waiting for the tub to fill, it wasn't long before he reached his happy place. Chase loved playing with his toys in the big boy bath, and according to Andy, he completely cracked himself up splashing around. This is a major relief as recent bath times have been nothing but giant scream fests.

So that's our weekend in a nutshell: poop, parks and pee.