WWF

A fellow blogging friend, Kelly, told a story about a battle of wills she had with her two year old the other night. My how I can relate. It made me think of something funny that happened the other day with Katie Jo. We were playing in the bonus room when Katie Jo shouted "Mean Cats, Mean Cats" and came running towards me. Side note: Katie Jo has started pretending of late and it is usually that a mean cat is hiding in her dresser or a rhino is chasing her and we have to climb into Noah's Ark (the play house outside). So anyway, she came running towards me and instead of sitting in my lap to get away from them she ran around behind me, climbed up my back, and began to wrap herself around my neck. In the process she grabbed up two fist fulls of my hair. It all happened so quickly that I was struck dumb by the fact that she was literally on top of me and then secondly how much it hurt where she was pulling my hair. I immediately tried to get her off of me which turned into a wrestling match hence the WWF title (Wrestling With my Firstborn). Before I knew it we were both writhing about like two worms in hot ashes. I was trying to pry her off of me and she was yelling because she thought I was trying to throw her off. She never let go of my hair which just made things worse. Next thing I knew we were on the floor in a heap and I was trying to bend out of her grip all the while yelling "let go Katie Jo, just let go." Finally we came apart and both sat there breathless. I'm sure we moved on to coloring Dora or something but I was quite traumatized for some while. So that might not be a perfect example of a strong willed child but it shows that no amount of parenting books, advice, or research can prepare you for everything!

Set, Run, Say "Cheese"

Here is the photo Katie Jo insisted we take as the below video shows. She saw us set up the camera and then all get in a family shot the other day, and now she knows I don't have to always be behind the lens. I was completely appalled at how messy the room looked so I cropped in close. I know I stay home and toys strewn about at least hints that we play during the day instead of watching tv while eating bon bons but it always looks worse through the camera! I guess if it can add 10 lbs. then it can multiply a mess! At least the basket of clothes beside Georgia was washed and folded!

Well why didn't you just say so!

Katie Jo is speaking much more clearly and has been saying more phrases these past few months. It is still a constant challenge to understand her. I repeat what I think she has just said and if I'm right she'll say "yes." If I'm wrong then she keeps repeating it and I have to try to listen harder cause she's gonna just keep saying it until someone cries "Uncle!" This video is a perfect example. She was trying to tell me to put the camera down and take a picture of all of us but as you can see it took a while to figure this all out! Please ignore the million times she says "Mommy." I guess I don't answer quickly enough when she says it just once.

Check me out!

This is such a cute video. For once Katie Jo didn't know I was filming her so she just did normal stuff like prance around, tickle her sister, and check her hair in the mirror!

Our Weekend with Gran and Pop

We had a great visit with Gran and Pop this past weekend. They escaped the snow and cold in the upstate to experience our rain and cold. Needless to say we spent a lot of time indoors. Quite honestly this was a super chance for me to get a break and do some much needed maintenance around the house. I had several things to accomplish while they were here and I just about covered my list by the time they left. Saturday afternoon they took Katie Jo to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks." Katie Jo came back in chattering about the chipmunks and how Theodore slept on Dave's head. They said she sat through the whole thing and directed the music with her hands. She was treated to popcorn and a drink and my dad was nice enough to remove the sugar stick from her kids meal. I promptly ate it when they got back. That night Jay and I got our evening out and it was fun to go on a date and not have to shell out babysitting money when we got back. Sunday and Monday we spent a lot of time doing a whole lot of nothing. Georgia and Katie Jo got to spend lots of quality time with Gran and Pop though and I'm not sure who enjoyed themselves more!

Sisterly Love

Last night

We had an exciting evening out last night. My parents are here this weekend and with free babysitting available we went out on the town. First, we went to California Dreaming for dinner. We didn't get there until 8:30 so thankfully there was no wait. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and it was nice to have uninterrupted conversation. When we got in the car to leave we had the radio tuned to the coverage of the SC Republican Primary. They were declaring Sen. John McCain the winner and reported that his campaign headquarters was at the Citadel. We decided to head over there and see if we could get in. As luck would have it we did! Here I am outside of the main room where he gave his victory speech.
And here's Jay. I would like to point out how much better I was at centering the McCain sign in the background! :)
Here is Sen. McCain and his lovely wife, Cindy. It was a great speech and it was exciting to be witnesses to this moment in history.
As we were walking out Jay and I were approached by the Irish Public Radio representative. She asked Jay several pointed questions about his opinion of McCain, the race, and what the outcome of SC primary would mean. He did a great job and I was proud of how quick he was on his feet. All of Ireland should be impressed! She asked me a question as well. I might not have fared so well in the answer department but I managed to sound like I knew what I was talking about.
This is a picture of Jay and his dog, Duchess, when he campaigned for McCain back in 2000. Duchess is no longer with us but I'm sure if she was she'd be out there working hard on the campaign trail once again.Here is a video of McCain and his wife when they first came out. I love the Rocky music in the background. Stay tuned as I am trying to post a video from Fox news of his interview afterwards. We managed to strategically place ourselves behind McCain and Jay put me up on his shoulder so I could wave to the tv audience tuning in at home.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jay turned 36 this past Monday. We had a little family party with cake and ice cream. Katie Jo helped me make the cake earlier in day and she especially liked stirring, using the hand mixer, and tasting the batter!

Here is our creation. Katie Jo is patiently waiting on Daddy to blow out the candles.
Between the two of them they were able to blow out all the candles.

Putting a little laughter into your day!

Six month check up

We just got back from Georgia's six month check up and here are the results. She weighed in at 15-6 which was in the 50th percentile. She measured 26.5 inches which was in the 75th percentile and her head measured 17 inches which was in the 50th percentile. In comparison to Katie Jo at six months, Georgia weighs half a pound less and is an inch and a half longer. So it looks like Georgia is still on track to be a little taller than Katie Jo, but time will tell. She is doing all the normal physical stuff such a rolling around, sitting up for short periods, passing objects from one hand to the other, smiling, laughing, and raking her hands to pick up a toy. She is just perfect!

Weekend Update

This picture really does put our weekend into words. First of all, the space in which that chair is placed is where our Christmas tree was until Saturday evening. That's right folks, we just this weekend got our tree dismantled and put away. We still have most other Christmas decorations out so they'll slowly make their way into the attic this week. Secondly, the chair in which my husband and dog are lounging in is a recliner (or barka lounger as the box read) I bought with my Christmas money at Costco.
Let me pause for a second and sing the praises of Costco. If they held a contest for a design house based on the amount of items from their store as decor and furnishings then we'd be a solid candidate. To name a few, we own the following from this superstore: our dining room set, our mattress and sheets, the tv in our bedroom, the two dvd players we own, our phones, our printer, and countless other items in addition to the endless supply of coke, sprite, and propel waters that consume our fridge. I love me some Costco and I would urge you to get a membership asap! Moving on.
I am super excited about our new recliner (barka lounger) as it is so soft, rocks, kicks out, and lays back. After our Costco trip we came home for some much needed rest. After an afternoon of no naps from either child, a major meltdown, a very unsuccessful attempt at a relaxing walk, Lady and the Tramp, and mac and cheese dinner for KJ we put them to bed and sat down to the most gluttonous meal I've had in quite some time. Costco has a seafood sale on Saturday's. The tank is filled with lobster, shrimp, crab legs, and scallops among other oceanic treasures. I've never been brave enough to buy any of these items because I don't know how to cook them but I was feeling lucky so I purchased two crab legs. Only two? Yes, because they were not the usual spindly kind you'd get in a restaurant. They were colossal! A blind person would have known this since they rang up for $30. I was very successful at my first ever crab leg boil and I could've cried when I put the first piece of juicy meat in my mouth. Covered in real butter no less. We also bought filets thinking we'd be extravagant with a little surf and turf fare. Well, we didn't think those items alone would fill us so we added asparagus and potatoes. I wanted to take a picture since I felt it was a blog worthy meal but Jay discouraged me from documenting our over indulgence.
Today we went to church and when I went to drop off Georgia I found there was a room full of bouncing babies in the nursery. So, she traipsed off to Sunday school with me where she was passed around to people needing a baby fix. After church we put both children to bed and today they both slept. Thank you Lord! Katie Jo and I played in the yard this afternoon and then she went to choir. Jay and I went to big church and now we're settled in for the night.
It's been a very relaxing weekend of family fun and I'm off to lay in my recliner (barka lounger) and mentally prepare for the week ahead.

Dedicated to just Mommy and Daddy

Bath time sweetness

I love this picture of Georgia. So serene and clean!

A flip book of activity

A flip book of emotions

Ah the bliss!

As I woke this morning I laid there to determine if my awake status was due to a child's voice heard in my subconscious or the remarkable feat of waking up on my own. It was to my elation the latter. I hurried and put on a robe, checked both bedrooms to find still sleeping girls, and scurried downstairs to get a cup of coffee. I got to read the paper uninterrupted (I read fast and skipped the sports section) and am now checking email and logging in to write about this historic occasion. I feel like I can do anything now that I've had a wopping 30 minutes to myself.

Six Months Old

Happy "Half Year of Life" Birthday to me! Georgia has her six month appt next week so I'll post more about her recent accomplishments then. For now, here is a little photo of the sweetie on her very important day.

Katie Jo's Science Lesson

Here is a little video of Jay and Katie Jo at Lake Cooley.

Helping out little sis

This was taken a while back when Katie Jo decided to pull Georgia in the wagon. I love the helmet. She is one determined little girl when it comes to getting that wagon on the nature trail behind our house. That wagon is heavy empty, so adding a baby and the Bumbo means she was toting quite a load!

Eat your heart out Danika Patrick

Katie Jo: The Princess

Christmas morning

Georgia is a jumping maniac

BATHTIME FUN

Happy New Year! A Day Late and Several Dollars Short.

Happy New Year from the Byars household. We had a great start to the new year with shopping, napping, and frying. I got to go shopping with my friend Kayci at the outlets yesterday and it was so nice to get out for awhile. When I got back I caught a 25 minute nap which was not long enough but nice nonetheless. Then last night we fried a pork loin and Jay concocted a corn dish that was delish. We put both children to bed and ate our feast. It was the first time in forever that I can remember eating a meal with just Jay at our own table in quite some time.
I'm not a resolver in the new year but I thought I'd come up with three for each person in our house that are very doable.

Amber:
1. I will try to get the bobby pin out of my hair before Jay gets home each day. Having my bangs swept aside with this little brown contraption is convenient but not so attractive.
2. I will try to walk more. I was so diligent about this when I was pregnant but then I had a baby and the person I walked with broke her foot so that threw us off track.
3. I will try to go to bed earlier. I am so bad about staying up late doing nothing constructive and then complain about being so tired.

Jay:
1. He will woodwork more. It is his new passion and he's very good at it. I think he may build our next house.
2. He will work out more. This is such a stress reliever for him and it is something he really enjoys but doesn't have time for.
3. He will get to go skiing this year. He wants so bad to find time for us to go on a vacation that revolves around skiing and I hope it can happen.

Katie Jo:
1. She will not give up her nap. I think she would really like to but I refuse to let it happen.
2. She will eat better. She has gotten into a bad habit (and we've let her) of snacking a lot. She loves peanuts and although they are not so bad for her she really does need to eat more veggies.
3. She will share with her friends and her sister. This will be a work in progress all year I'm sure.

Georgia:
1. She will sleep through the night more often. If she doesn't I'm sure to slowly go insane.
2. She will love all the new food she tries in the coming months.
3. She will try to stop drooling so much.

So there they are. Resolutions for 2008 are set and we'll be working hard to hold to them!