Chasing Life

I wish I was blogging w/ some updated pics of Will and maybe a shot or two of gigantic Duke, but that's not going to be the case today. Instead I'm going to update you on life.

As stated Duke is getting gigantic, he's 5 1/2 months old and weighing in around 50-55lbs. He's beautiful, full of energy and if you come over to see us, more than likely, you'll get "Duked" as my sister puts it. We are working on training, but as most big dogs do, he thinks he's a lap dog, so you sit down and he's all over ya, in a loving muddy paw kind of way. We had to get a shock collar a few weeks ago to assist in training and I must say of all the things we've spent money on for that dog, food included, that was money well spent. Duke obeys extremely well in the front yard, never chasing after people in the street, won't enter the street at all and comes when called instantly. We are getting there w/ him, he's definitely a smart dog and will be able to stay w/ us instead of go to the farm, which was where I was ready to send him about a month ago.

Will is talking so much lately, some of which Michael or I have to translate for everyone, but he's really getting vocal. He's putting 2 words together pretty well and working on 3.

A few things he says:
"Hot Dog"- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
"Bye Bye Do Do"- Bye Duke
"Wav Woo"-Love You
"Shashu"-Chocolate
"Pease"-Please w/ instense belly rubbing
"Tant Tu"-Thank You
"Shashul"-Shovel
"BaaaTaaBaa"-Basketball

He says a ton more but those are my favorites.

He loves to dance in his car seat and mostly to rock music. Will is a big fan of the Nickelback song "This Afternoon" As well as Def Leppard & pretty much anything w/ a beat. We'll have to stop listening to the Nickelback song when he starts understanding the words, but he loves to head bang. We jam to the Hot Dog Dance song too. Needless to say Mickey Mouse is a huge his at our house

With summer here, he's sooo into swimming. He's spent several evenings so far in Papa's hottub w/ the water slightly warmed. Loves walking around the perimeter because I don't have to hold on to him. Of course he takes the occasional beeline straight across the hottub and tries to drown himself but I'm on point for those occasions for quick grabs. I suspect we'll be spending a lot of time in the pool this summer.

We are so happy summer is here, we spend 95% of our days outside. I feel extremely guilty making Will stay indoors when he wants out so unless we NEED to be inside we aren't. He's been a big helper this season getting the landscaping ready; he's quite handy w/ a shovel and rake. He even has his own pair of gloves which up to this point have only been used as a chew toy for Duke. Will is good about sharing. ; )

Life truly has been a bit nuts, Michael's been off and on with traveling and I or we seem to be constantly chasing after Will. I walk in every night and look longingly at my camera and think "man I need to take some pictures, Will is changing quickly" Then he's off on his adventures the next day w/ us in tow and no camera. I did however purchase a Flip Video and will be receiving it next week, so funny videos to come.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday weekend. See ya next week w/ fun lake footage of Will & Duke. Crossing my fingers the weather stays nice!

No Clothes Phase!

Someone I know is insistant these days to take their pants, shirt & shoes off upon arriving home for the day. We usually make it inside before this takes place, but this paticular evening he played in the garage w/ boxes in a diaper & crocs. I'm quite fearful for when he actually learns to undress himself, our neighbors might get more than they bargained for. We'll cross that bridge when it gets here, but for now, it's mainly indoors and the diaper remains in place.

Big Day Today

27 years ago today, my precious sister was born. Oh boy, did the world change that day! As I was too young to ask for specifics in what I might want in a sister, I left it up to my parents to give me a good sister. Well, they did one better, they gave me a great sister. She's bright, funny, honest, caring, supportive beyond measure....my list could go on for days.

Yes, we've had years of turmoil;

Younger Years
Us: "Mom, she's touching me..."
Mom: "Girls, if you don't stop arguing, I'm going to make you hug & kiss"
Us: "Grrrrooooosssssss!!!"

Teen Years
Traci: "Where's my shirt?"
Me: "I think it's down the street" (Jessica's house, 3 of us shared closets)
Traci: "Get me my freakin shirt"
Me: "Allllright Terdface" (nickname she's been fighting me on for years)

Most of our life we've gotten along more than fought and made each other laugh until we almost peed our pants.

Like the time she was running on the treadmill and got her foot stuck in the edge between the hard plastic & the moving tread and was running w/ 1 leg trying to get the machine shut off. That one nearly sent me into seizures from laughing so hard.

Trac has always been my closest friend. Always there for me, always supporting me when maybe there were times she should have given me a swift kick in the butt. So as previously stated, my parents did rather well creating the sister I never knew I always wanted.

And now she's not only a great Sister, but a great Aunt. And to really top the cake w/ some yummy icing, she's going to be a great Mommy in just a few short weeks to a little boy that I CANNOT WAIT to meet. I am so proud of my sister and proud to have her as a sister.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAC, you put a smile on my face everyday and usually it's when I'm laughing hysterically at something you've done. I love you to the moon and back and a gazillion more times over. Have a great day.

"Bye Bye Deer"

Zoo trip #1 in 2010. First off, can I just say that going to the zoo w/ a kid that actually enjoys seeing the animals is wayyy more fun than one that just looks at you like your nuts, wondering why you're getting all hyped up about being in the 110 degree temp. I'll explain; we took Will to the zoo last year in June and it was beyond hot....(remember June last year) and he and Allison (Life With Allison) were too young to get why we were there; Allison even went to sleep. This time was much more fun!

Will was FASCINATED by the deer. We stood there forever it seemed like saying "bye bye deer" (that's what he says to everything right now...bye bye airplane, bye bye choo choo, bye bye Papa, bye bye Duke...baa boy, DADDA UPPPPPP)
Will really loved the Bears, Rhinos, Hippos, Birds, Lions, Gorillas. He even shared a snack w/ the

orangutan. They were face to face in the glass, Will eating cookies, the orangutan eating an apple. Then he did acrobatics....the orangutan did, not Will.

He watched the birds for awhile, loved the colors I think.

Will was NOT into the Merry Go Round.

After it started, he got a little intrigued, but...

It took me hopping on the Rhino for him to really get comfortable. Weeeee

We rode the kids Choo Choo train, around and around and around and a...you get the point. That thing went on FOREVER! Will loved it though, he loves choo choo's right now. It was the most perfect of days to go to the zoo Saturday. Even needed a coat, but at the zoo that's way better than smoldering heat. We will definitely make this a regular occurance over the summer, I love Will's response to me acting like a crazy person w/ excitement when we see animals. (someday that'll probably embarrass him, I'm hoping to have tamed myself by then) AND in the coming weeks I can introduce Will to dip n dots. YUM!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all our Mommy friends and family.

Being Will's Mom has been the greatest pleasure of my life. He melts my heart and fills me with pride everyday. Hands down becoming a mom has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. I hope all you Mommy's enjoy your special day with your kids.

I know all I've asked for is a day with my son and my husband....and Duke of course with a lot of relaxing and playing outside. Smiles on everyones faces is the best Mother's Day present I could get.

Will, thank you for making me special. You hold my heart in your hands always. ~Love you, Mommy.