Bulldozers and Dumptrucks: Letting Others Do the Heavy Lifting

Carter Is Two Today!!

When my husband suggested having an Edens joint birthday for Carter, my niece Anna, and my Dad (all who were born days apart) I surprised myself and said "okay."  And when my sister-in-law asked if we would want to have a Watson family pool party for Carter's birthday, I again surprised myself and said "yes!"  So not only are both sides of our family celebrating, but I'm not hosting either of the parties!  I'm not sure whether this was made possible by the fact that I'm pregnant and just too tired to argue, or the fact that the rig-a-ma-role of his first birthday is still fresh in my memory, but either way...I'm glad I gave in and let someone else help.  Now, I will say that this new easy going spirit had to give a half-time pep talk to the controlling, type A obsessive mother after she spent an afternoon on Pinterest.  "I know, Heather...these are great ideas.  I know, you could do them just as well for Carter's birthday.  Yep...that's right...you'd even do them better.  But remember what we decided? Someone else is taking care of that.  Back awaaaay from the computer."  And later had to give another pep talk after controlling, type A obsessive mother was reminded by her husband that we only have, at most, 16 more fun birthdays to throw for our first son.  "I know, Heather...16 seems like so few, but you'll have at least one more child so that's 18 more for a total of 34 more fun birthdays to plan and execute. See?  That's not so bad." 

So no....I didn't make my son's second birthday cake, but look how GREAT it turned out! My sister in law got to show off her cake decorating skills, and I got to enjoy just showing up to eat it.  Thanks Aunt Tracy!

I couldn't have asked for a better party or a better day, for that matter.  I started my day singing happy birthday to Carter while he was eating his breakfast, and yes, I cried.  But I was okay with it.  Just took in how much he's grown, how much I've grown because of him, and how much more we have to look forward to. 

We decided to do an easy crockpot fajita lunch that I prepared the day before so we packed all that up and headed over to Aunt Tracy and Uncle Neil's house.  They just got a new pool put in, so we were all excited to swim and enjoy their new backyard addition. 

It was kind of like a family stay-cation for me.  All day by the pool, good easy food, and the people we love.  We swam a little, ate a little, cut the cake, put Carter down for a nap, swam some more, and when we were all completely baked...went home.  Other than the few times I picked up the camera to take some shots...I literally just sat around and enjoyed everyone else enjoying my son.  There were no guests to entertain, no questions to answer, no toilets to clean before hand, no clean up to do afterward.  I traded sunscreen for makeup, wet hair for the flat iron, and "go ahead" for "let me take care of that."  It was one of the most special days...and I didn't have to plan it to be that way.  It just was.  So, point taken, free spirited alter ego. You win....today.

My Summer Obsessions

Summer is the time of year that I usually look forward to.  Summer usually means poolside with sunscreen and a cocktail, but this summer has been a little different.  With the unbearably high heat index mixed with the first trimester of pregnancy, I've found refuge in the comfort of my airconditioned home.  So I wanted to share a few of the things that have made my time inside a little more bearable. We will start with media...

Big Brother

 With 3 CBS shows a week and Showtime afterdark episodes each night, I'm officially obsessed with these people.  I know way too much.  It's not okay.  It has gotten me through morning sickness (that lasted all day), and gave me something to do while layed up in the bed.  However, chores have gone by the wayside, and productivity levels are at an all time low.  So it will be a good thing when it ends. 

Bachelorette

I believe most females in America are obsessed with this...so need I say more, really?

SYTYCD

Like American Idol, America votes for their favorite dance out of 20.  Every week is amazing, and each season the dancers are more talented than the last.  My favorites are always the B-boys who surprise everyone and make it to the end conquering styles that are way outside of their comfort zone. 

Now for the "Fun Stuff" Category...and I realize most of it is food related, but come on.  I'm pregnant.

Caribbean Escape Bath & Body Works Candle

These candles are the best and smell up the whole downstairs of my house.  Love this scent for Spring and Summer.

Fruity Popsicles

I'm equal oppertunist..I love all flavors! And it's the best thing for curbing morning sickness that shows up later in the day!

Melon Melody Publix Brand Sherbet

Honeydew, Watermelon and Centelope mix sherbet...so yum! Summer in a bowl.

Gilligan & O'Malley Underwear

Victorias Secret who?  Forget those skanks and their Mediums that are really Extra Smalls.  These underwear are the best thing I've put on my bum to date!  They are super soft.  It feels like you're wearing nothing at all, and the sizes are true even after a hot cycle in the dryer! Praise the underwear gods!  I'll never buy 5 for $25 again at VS.

McDonalds Real Fruit Smoothies

All three flavors are yummy, but the mango pineapple is my favorite for summer.  It's been my healthy alternative for those milkshake cravings. 

Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion

A gift from my sister, and to my surprise my summer favorite! This stuff is thick and doesn't joke around, so it's good for keeping the stretch marks at bay.

VitaCoco coconut water with Peach and Mango

My friend Britney and I noticed Danielle from Big Brother drinking this in the BB house, so we tried it and loved it! 

Scout Tote Bag

This is the best beach/pool bag ever!  Completely waterproof and wipeable.  Scout makes a bazillion prints and sizes.  I got this origional dean bag, a small insolated lunch bag (great to stick an ice pack in to keep toddler milk or juice cold)

Covergirl Naturluxe Lip Balm and Mousse Mascara

These two are perfect for summer!  The lip balm is easy (breezy) and comes in great colors.  I hate lipstick, and can't stand sticky lipgloss, especially while sporting a longer hair style.  Nothing worse than peeling hair from your greesed up lips.  yuk.  So this is perfect for me!



And those are my summer favorites!  I'm already scoping out a few fall favorites, and even those the start of the school year means fall to me, I'll post them when the weather is more appropriate.

Operation Big Boy Room: Complete!

Now, I understand the word "complete" is like an oxymoron when speaking in terms of children's rooms, because they are like the children themselves...constantly changing and growing.  But I feel like the major transitions have been made, and I'm super happy with the outcome!  I may be more in love with this room than I was with it as a nursery.  Which is quite a statement considering 3 days ago I was sitting outside his room crying because it looked like a prison cell to me.  But with a little color and a paintbrush, it's now my favorite place to be in the house.
I decided I wanted to avoid the expensive showroom bedroom furniture, but instead have a more eclectic feel.  I'm done with stuffy fussy rooms and furniture that can't be scratched or dinged. So here goes!

The madras curtains were the color inspiration for the whole room.  Next purchase was the previously white iron bed, which I spray painted a dark brown.  Because Carter is still figuring out the big boy bed thing, I got foam bumpers from Amazon that fit under the mattress pad and sheet.  Love them! 
The letters and paper airplane idea was inspired from pintrist.com....however I used electrical tape instead of paint to create the airplane and its trail so that I can just peel it off when I'm over it.  Black paint is not easy to cover up.
I still need to recover the trunk, but you get the idea.

We bought a small travel pillow that he sleeps with (perfect toddler size 5.00 at target) , which required some creativity as far as a pillow case.  So I pulled out his baby receiving blankets and whipped up 2 travel size cases and a few standard cases.  So glad those blankets get a second life!

This is a dresser that I found on craigslist for 25.00!  Painted that bad boy the deepest blue martha stewart offers, and then spray painted the hardware.  So this is diaper changing central until he is potty trained.  The airplane watercolors are actually just copied images from real watercolors for sale on etsy...printed them on my color printer.

Add an old Edens barn board and a few hooks and this room is complete!  Done and DONE!

Preggo and Purging

That's right!  I'm pregnant and purging...old clothes, shoes, linens, housewares, and anything else that might get in my way.  Some might call it nesting, but technically that term only applies to the days before labor when oxytocin floods your brain and sends you into an unexplained mother hen frenzie.  So I'm just calling it "Reality check: you have no storage space so you better get rid of some crap."

First on the list: My wardrobe...will I really ever wear these size small Polo shirts again? No. Toss.
Will I, or more importantly, SHOULD I ever wear these low rise skin tight jeans again?  No.  Toss.
Will I ever wear these 18 fuzzy sweaters again? No. Toss, toss, toss.
Will I ever need these 13 pairs of nice Banana Republic dress pants again? Probably not, but it just seems irresponsible to throw those out.  Keep.
Maternity in, 20-something college girl out. The rest goes in storage, because it's just too sad to look at all the clothes that don't fit this baby bump right now.  See you in February, my lovlies!

Next on the List:  Carter's toy situation- Operation Big Boy Room includes revamping my childhood toychest so Carter can keep the majority of his toys in his big boy room...hopefully keeping my living room tidier.  Fingers crossed.

After That:  New baby's room- you know that place where  you just throw everything that has no other home?  Yeah...you're lookin at it.  However, this requires husband help so it's gonna have to wait at least another few weeks.  Ugh.

Horray for getting rid of useless closet clutter!  I feel lighter already :)

Mommy Confessions: Who ARE you?!

Terrible Twos? No Problem. I'll get through it. I'll read the books when it's time. Well, guess what...they came a knockin' and look who isn't prepared AT ALL! 

I know, he looks innocent enough, but let me assure you, the impatient and obstinate temper-tantrum-thrower lives on the inside.  And when he comes out to play....it's enough to make this woman lose her Christianity.  The problem is you just don't see it coming!

Take today, for instance. It started out innocently enough- Breakfast as usual, we made the bed, we washed some dishes, I took my shower, we got him dressed for the day, and loaded up in the car for a trip to the fabric store. All was well....until it wasn't.

He's in the cart while I am trying to pick out a fabric to recover my old childhood toy chest, and then he wants me to hold him.  Then he wants my cell phone.  Then he wants to get down and push the cart.  Then he runs the cart into a wall and bangs his head.  Then he's mad at me because it's obviously my fault.  Then he wants his juice, which is conveniently located in the car (stupid!) Then he just wants to get the heck out of there, which won't work because I refuse to leave with the denim I've chosen before looking at all of my options. 

So, I had my first real terrible two breakdown in Joann Fabrics.  Somehow, I made it to the counter with the denim that would just have to work, and checked out.  Got him to the car, buckled him in...all the while ignoring the awful display of brattiness that is being yelled in my ear and slapped in my face (literally).  I calmly get in the drivers seat, shut the door, turn the key....and in the safety of my car, unleash the Chuck Edens(my father) temper.  "NO MORE TANTRUM!!! NO MORE!! NOT ANOTHER WORD!!"- Silence.  Quivering lip.  Hurt feelings written all over his face, but silent.

I immediately felt awful.  Fail.  Really?  Yelling?  At a toddler?  I beat myself up all the way to subway, where...I confess, to avoid another awful moment, I left him in the running car while I ordered and payed for my turkey sandwich.  While inside I decided that no one would steal a car with such an explosive 2 year old in the back. 

We made it home, I fed our hungry bellies, put him to bed, and now I'm praying that a nap will do us both some good. 

The Childhood Education major in me understands why this is an emotional time for him.  He's just big enough to communicate what he wants, nearly big enough to get it or do it himself, but doesn't understand why I won't let him.  He doesn't understand the dangers, the social rules, or the delayed implications. He hears "no" more often than "yes", and that has to be frustrating.  I still stand firm in my belief that the Terrible Twos are only terrible when parents lose their patience...and I lost mine today.  And yeah, it was pretty terrible.

Passport: Orcas Island

After we'd had enough of the big city we headed out of Seattle to the Northwest coast of Washington.  From a small town called Anacortez, we planned to take a ferry ride to the SanJuan Islands.  I was real excited about this, partly because we had booked a cozy little condo that was a major improvement to the sub par hotel we were camped up in downtown, and also because of the whale watching opportunities.  So we found a spot in the ferry line, hopped on board, and floated our way to Orcas Island. 

When we landed on the Island, we unpacked at the condo and then Daniel and I went out to explore what was around.  We didn't have to go far.  Our part of the Island, contained the Islands only grocery store, a few restaurants, a couple novelty shops, and the needed medical offices.  Nothing more than they needed...just enough.  Locals had the island laid-back attitude, but wore flannel shirts and boots.  I even saw some full grown mountain men beards...which would be unheard of in Tennessee summer heat.  It wasn't the cheapest place to vacation, since everything had to be flown or floated in from the mainland, but it was relaxing none-the-less.  The scenery was to die for, and the sunsets were unbeatable.

We drove to the top of the highest mountain on the Island, Mt. Constitution, and snapped some pics along the way.  We went early in the morning, and then again late in the afternoon once the fog had cleared. 

 I couldn't help but hope I'd catch a glimpse of Jacob or Edward on the way up the mountain :) 

The next day Daniel and I ventured out to do some whale watching while the in-laws stayed at the condo with Carter.  It was freezing cold, so I'm glad they didn't tag along.  Carter would have been miserable, but I enjoyed every second.  I was worried about getting sea-sick, but it was kind of like a choppy day on the lake.  We got to see two different pods of orcas (aka. killer whales), each about 8 or 10 strong.  We saw a few jump completely out of the water, which was amazing. 

And I got to wear the same kind of jacket that the guys on Deadliest Catch wear...way cool. 

Passport: Seattle

 So when the opportunity arose for us to take a family vacation with the Watson clan, we jumped on it.  Well, I more reluctantly than everyone else.  Why?  Because this trip would include carrying, entertaining, feeding, changing, and napping my 22 month old son...on a plane.  Closed quarters with no way out.  The thought of it had put a damper on the entire trip for me.  But thanks to a few new toddler apps on the IPad, Buzz Lightyear & the rest of the Toy Story 2 gang, a few sippy cups, great flight attendants and a little seating luck we made it! 

So 6 hours, 2 flights, and 1 layover later...we were in Seattle with the rest of the fam.  We spent the first few days seeing downtown.  It really is one of the prettiest cities I've ever seen.  The air is crisp and clean...I'm convinced it's from all of the evergreen trees.  You can be standing in downtown, but still look out and see beautiful mountains in the distance.  The natives were a bit odd, but the scenery made up for it. 

Call me a tourist, but I've decided that guided tours (preferably ones that we can ride) are a must for me.  I don't have the patience to read the history myself, and I don't have the stamina to see the entire city by foot.
If you go with a company listed on the chamber of commerce site for the city, the tour companies are reputable, and the guides are almost always loaded with the city's history.  It's like cliff notes.  All the important or cool stuff...skip the rest.  Plus, you usually get restaurant recommendations or other city must-sees.  This trip, we chose the harbor & locks tour.  The boat starts in the harbor, goes through a water lock system, and then out to ocean water.  We passed the Sleepless in Seattle floating house that Tom Hanks' character lived in, and some of the crabbing boats from Deadliest Catch (kind of cooler in my opinion).  Plus, we got to see Seattle in a whole new way.  It was 2.5 hours, definitely my personal max, but it was well worth it.

I need to introduce my in-laws.

This is Wayne and Barbara, and they are amazing.  We couldn't do vacations...or weekly date night for that matter without them.  They love Carter and I never feel bad asking them to watch him.  They keep him two days (includes one night) a week.  Yes, I'm spoiled, and no, I don't share.  They had a crib in their hotel room as well, so Carter "slept over" with them one night while we stayed in the city.  *silent mommy cheers* It was also great just to have extra sets of hands...plenty of people to give mom and dad a break.  I'm a proponent of family trips....if you like your family. 

Back to Seattle...one of my favorite stops was the Pikes Place Market.  It's the local farmer's market and was busy with people.  A little crowded for a stroller, not gonna lie, but worth it.  The food vendors let you taste their stuff, so I tried everything that looked good.  Washington cherries and local peaches were my favorite.  You have to see the fish market throwers.  They put on a good show.

Our last stop before leaving the city was the Space Needle.  In my opinion, I couldn't NOT go to the space needle.  So we paid the 18 bucks per person to ride to the top, I know...I know, took some pictures and came back down.  The view was great, and I can say I've been to the top.  That's all I have to say about that sham of a site.

Part 2: Orcas Island coming soon