The Drooling Kickstand Kid

My muse has been especially active lately. It is like a switch has gone off and he knows it’s time to get moving. Throughout the last 8 months people have told me to embrace the "baby stage" once they are mobile there is no stopping them. We aren't there quite yet, but almost. He is pretty much doing EVERYTHING but crawling. I got an e-mail today from babycenter and decided to open it up for a change (I'm glad I did) I got a little chuckle out of it. So for those of you who try endlessly to explain the magic of how your baby gets from one spot to another without actually crawling here's the list:

Lifestyles of the Almost Crawling

• Commando: Baby slides silently on stomach, pushing off with only her tippy toes.
• Kickstand: Baby gets up on hands and one knee, but second leg sticks out to the side and appears to be cemented into the floor.
• Drag racing: Baby achieves successful forward motion, but drags one foot behind her like it's a weight tied to her body with a leg.
• A little backward: Baby sees a desired object, only to experience frustration when crawling moves her farther away from it.
• The crab: Baby moves sideways in a "scuttling" motion.
• Roll over Beethoven: Not so much crawling as a kind of blowing-tumbleweed movement from one spot to another. But hey – whatever works. 

For the past 5 months Karson has been wearing a bib, correction two bibs. At first we thought "Oh boy he is getting his first tooth!" (We are such rookies and fools). We are still waiting on that damn tooth! Now it’s just irritating (what's the purpose of dressing him up if you can never see his clothes?) Forget about the cute onesies with the adorable sayings or emblems. And what about the band t-shirts!?!? That's Dad's serious concern. We first started with the cute little bibs that come with special outfits, and then we moved onto a simple terry cloth, we threw on an extra one for good measure. We thought we were almost in the clear. We have anxiously waited for the day our little monster would get some teeth! He now goes through about 15 bibs a day. Not to mention all the outfit changes due to the drool that somehow still ends up on his shirt. I'm not even going to get into the drool on the floor, our bed, his toys and us. If you walk in my house you will end up being drooled on! You think a St. Bernard is bad; a dog has nothing on my kid! I've even considered the tablets you can pop in their mouths to contain some of the drool. People wonder why I don't get dressed up; seriously do I have to explain? What's the best part of teething you ask? Why of course, the fact that my child tries to eat me. We have been known to lovingly refer to Karson as "Zombie Baby". I like to think his zombie impression is his way of trying to kiss me (don't judge). He is like a puppy, anything that can go into his mouth will, especially our TV remotes. When we are playing in bed and he sees one it’s like he is possessed, nothing matters except getting the remote. (We all know how dangerous remotes can be and if I have to hear my mother lecture me about batteries one more time.) Point is I don't care how many teethers you buy or which kind of gourmet cookies. Your baby is going to put everything in their mouth you don't want them to. Today, while making spud laugh I noticed a little blood on his gum and there it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The top of a tooth! Now we've been seeing white lines for months, been dealing with the drooling, teething and the tantrums caused by the pain so....I am not getting to excited just yet, but that little booger gave me some hope that a tooth will be making an appearance here soon. On the flip side this whole process is so bitter sweet. I love watching him smile and seeing his "old man gums". He will be able to start eating "big boy food". Noooo! My baby. It just about broke my heart when he stopped nursing and now this. Don't let my excessive antics fool you, I love this stage. Heck I just love this kid! He is so entertaining at this stage to watch, you can just see him learning things by the minute. He is taking in everything and getting into everything.

It has been a full week since Kurt started his day job. Hooray, it was reality. You know it use to seem like the evenings would linger forever. Now it seems like the days are pretty lengthy too. I'm sure this is due to the fact we start our day at 6:30am. Whew, I will never be a morning person, even if I get to wake up to the most adorable smile. I peel myself from bed, do a diaper change in the darkness, shuffle to the kitchen to turn on the 98 Rock morning show (Thank You Daddy) and search for the coffee. I am just so thankful that Karson is on point and ready to play, which means he isn't to needy. Having Kurt change shifts just really made me realize how much I loved how he would wake up with Karson. Regardless of my anti-morning stance I am so thrilled to have Kurt home at 3:30 every day. I don't think we have spent this much time together since the beginning, when we had just started dating. It is very refreshing to know I still enjoy him and his craziness, plus we have this wonderful boy who keeps us on our toes. We have dinner as a family, go for walks on nice days, run errands, and clean the house, just having an extra set of hands to get the littlest things done helps tremendously. We are a team, a great one at that. Spud misses Grammy sometimes, but he gets to see her on days when I have to sleep after work. We are in a great place, a happy place! 

We had a little bump in the road last week when I started having severe stomach pains. I let them go and eventually my mother convinced me to go to the doctor. His diagnosis, couldn't tell me a damn thing. We were off to get a sonogram, results were normal. I made my mother happy and decided I was done, no more doctors. Then just when I think the worst is over I had the most debilitating headache hit me in the middle of my favorite Chinese food. I literally thought I was going to die. My eyes crossed, I lost vision and forming a sentence was almost impossible. Kurt wanted to rush me to the ER immediately, I begged him not to. Instead we went to my Mom's who was watching Karson for us. After about 30 minutes of pain, a few nice so nice words with my mother and husband and it was over. I won no hospital. I thought to myself this stuff cannot be normal. I am only 25, why do I feel like crap all the time, why do I require more sleep than my child. If my stomach doesn't hurt then my head does. Next morning we were off to get a abdominal CAT scan, once again results are normal. I'm done, but I made a promise to my mother that if the pains came back I would get a physical and take care of myself. NO, I am not pregnant. I know someone was thinking it! Worst part, the husband said no more baby making until I start feeling better. Good thing I feel great (right now that is). It’s all a mystery. I'm sure the stress from my classes doesn't help matters. I am pulling my hair strand by strand. I have already started the countdown to the end of the semester. 

                                                               Raven's Nation

                                                           Excited for Halloween!

Come On December!

Usually I am not one who wants to rush through life (especially now that we have Karson), but like my title says "Come On December!"  I can't believe our little monster turned seven months old this month. Talk about a reality check! I am counting down the days for one reason only, this college semester will be over with!!! Like I had imagined, this semester has been my most challenging EVER. Not only because of the added responsibility, but for the fact I can not do chemistry (it is seriously like reading Chinese). You would think I was embellishing, but sadly I AM NOT! Ask my baby cousin Ryan, he will tell ya (he has the unfortunate job of being my lab partner). The faster my epic struggle goes, the less I can stress about it. I do not take to failing or quitting easily (I have never had a C in college & only three B's-what would you know all in science and math, I am sensing a pattern). Since I have started this class, every day I wake up disappointed in myself. Therefore, I can not fully enjoy anything, which is so unfair to myself and the people around me. I don't have the time to dedicate to excelling in this class, I would need a lot of special attention from a private tutor. Its so frustrating to want to learn this material and not being able to. I am having a hard time dealing with this, because frankly it has never happened to me. All I keep telling myself is that I will get through this, all I need is a C. All I need is a 3.0 GPA in my six sciences to apply to nursing school. As I am writing this, I have already given into my relentless nature to be the best. Why am I so hard on myself when it comes to school?!? Why can't I just enjoy everyday life and separate college from it?

Now that I have said my peace about school, come on next week! Kurt starts his new job Thursday and my excitement can not be contained! We will have our family together every evening. I will be able to eat dinner with my husband. Kurt will be home to play, bathe and put Karson to bed. We can have Mommy/Daddy time. I don't believe this is happening. It seems surreal. This is such a huge change to our lives and I am sure it will take some time to adjust, but this is what we have wanted since Kurt & I started our shift work jobs almost three years ago. After Karson was in the picture, Kurt was absolutely miserable. He wanted nothing more than to be home with us. It didn't help his job was about 80 miles round trip. I couldn't imagine having to drive that much to go to and from work, of course I hate driving. Having Kurt on day shift less than five miles from our house takes so much stress away from our family. Now we can get serious about adding more monsters to our clan! Managing our time will be so much easier. Maybe I will also have some time to craft & work on homework actually at home and not just at work.

While we are onto that topic, our weekend getaway was awesome! We started off on our adventure Friday afternoon, after a long and uncomfortable four hour ride we arrived to Deep Creek! Our friends had been there some time and started the party off on the dock. Kurt & I dug out the cooler for our first worry free beers in seventeen months. (This is the complete truth for me!) Even though I was worrying just a little, I did just leave my baby. We enjoyed our first night there, hot tub time was the best. I made a promise to myself to do everything that I will have to take a leave of absence from once I (hopefully) get pregnant again. This meant a lot of hot tub, beer & sleep! Saturday morning I woke up with a slight headache, I can't remember the last time I had ten beers (I know, I am so crazy, haha!) It didn't help I woke up at 6am, that would be my internal Momma alarm clock. Unfortunately, it rained all day, which cancelled our boat trip. We played a lot of games and took a trip to the movies. Ahhh the movies, how much I miss them. When people ask me if I miss going out, I honestly answer no! I totally miss going to the movies though!!! Saturday night Kurt was starting to get a little nervous, he was ready to get back to Karson. Sunday as we left, we were counting down to get back to him. He survived, we survived, we knew it would be okay. He had Grammy & C-Pops, I was able to call anytime I felt some anxiety, but for the most part we just enjoyed our special grown up time. The hardest part was the initial leaving, but Kurt had a strategy, he asked me about school (since you read the comments above, you could gather how easily that occupied my mind). Overall, we had a wonderful time together and with our friends (its so cool to watch all of our friends at different stages of life).

Call Me Maybe?

Saturday is Karson's first pageant, we are super excited and looking forward to it. Stay tuned for the outcome and pictures! We might have a local celebrity on our hands.

Another Back to School.

When I graduated college two years ago, I thought or at least hoped that my back to school days were over.  Sigh how time changes things. I started my online classes this week, what a depressing feeling. Its been extra hard to get motivated due to having spud around. I could kick myself in the ass for dropping my classes last fall semester. Oh well, got to get on with things. I can already tell this Chemistry class is going to cause several mental breakdowns. I already had my first one, which left me talking to myself at work. My co-workers know better than to even ask. I know that there is NO option but to get through this semester. Then I can reward myself with another baby! Hah, we're crazy we know. I know years from now when I am finally in nursing school, I will be happy with the sacrifices and stress these classes are causing me. Eventually the kids will be in school and stay at home Mommy (or part time) won't be an option anymore. On the other hand they are only babies once and I am making sure he comes first! The anal retentive student has to take a back seat to the fun loving Mommy. I can see my straight A's flying out the window! Complaint department  is closed. I was really enjoying everyone's facebook pictures of their kids going back to school. Kurt informed me in three years Karson will be attending pre-school. Really? Jumping ahead, aren't we Dad. I know the day will be here before we know it.

The first day of school is supposed to be a thrilling day, not one filled with sadness and horror. I can't imagine having a child in school and having to worry about their safety. Having a kid really changes you. The old me would stay grounded and unemotional about the school shooting that happened the first day of school in Perry Hall. I know that sounds cruel, but its really a coping mechanism. You have to have one when you work in a field surrounded by death and all the depressing realities that go along with life. Fortunately, I was unaware that anything had happened for the majority of the day. My television consists of Nick Jr and the Bubble Guppies. Thank Goodness for facebook its my only link to news and the outside world around me. After hearing about the shooting all I could think about was the way those parents were feeling. Could you imagine hearing about a shooting that occurred at your child's school? I don't know about you, but as I am writing this I feel like I could puke. My blood boils with adrenaline. I also have sympathy for the shooter's parents, how on Earth would you feel knowing your child is filled with so much hatred? I look at Karson and I see all the opportunities he has (and I know we joke about him being a rockstar or a doctor) but honestly my only hope is that he is a good person, a happy person. I know its our responsibility as parents to provide him with basic needs, but I truly believe in order to foster a successful human being so much more is needed. It most definitely is the little things, listening to your child, being in tune with them, making sure you are involved in their lives. I am saying prayers for the parents of the shooter and the victim. (I just know Mr. Wasmer's Momma is one proud lady to have raised a hero!) In times like these it is easy to cast judgement and pointing fingers; how about we get to the bottom of the issue to ensure a tragedy like this never happens this close to home again. (These are my opinions and in no way meant to be offensive).

Let's wrap this up on a happy note. We found out some exciting news today in the Mundell house. I won't say anything just yet (I don't want to JINX IT). It looks like we might actually be getting something we have wanted for two years!


Oh yeah...I entered Karson into a beauty pageant (let the ridicule commence). No its not like Toddlers & Tiaras, its a natural pageant and I think he is going to charm 'em. He will be competing for the title of Mr. Glen Burnie 2012. What an honor! We have a lot of shopping to do!

His Mr. Glen Burnie Wave!

Next weekend is our first getaway without Karson. I am a bundle of emotions right now. It stills seems so far  away so I am not thinking too much about it. I have several school assignments to due before I can even think about letting loose.

A Time & A Place.

Have you ever heard the expression there is a time and a place for everything? What happens when you run out of time?

This is exactly what happens to us on a daily basis. My husband and I live by to-do lists, we have a master one and two separate ones, we have both said before that crossing off an item on our to-do lists is one of the most rewarding feelings (we don't get out much). Sometimes there is just not enough time in the day to get it all done, which for the most part does not bother me, there is always tomorrow (I take a little more of a laid-back approach). Lately though, because of issues with time management I have had a really hard time writing. My blog is most definitely suffering and I feel like I am going through a dry spell. Usually words just flow out of me, word vomit some would say. I feel like an artist who has lost her muse, which I most definitely haven't (he is sitting beside me in his highchair playing with his cell phone). I think this is happening to me because I have so much on my mind, its hard to prioritize. Awhile back Kurt & I were discussing the root of his stress, after much debate, he frankly spit out "I think we have a time management issue". I wanted to scream who doesn't, especially people with babies!!! If you have read my previous blogs than you know going to the bathroom alone is a luxury. When you are trying to give 100% in every aspect of your life, time becomes your enemy. How can I be the best Mom, Wife, Investigator, Student and Business Owner if I don't even have the time to pee alone?! Good question I raise, does anyone have an answer? If you find out please let the rest of us know.

Back to school is among us, unfortunately this means for me too. I have been struggling for the last almost two years trying to figure out what path is right for me? There's no turning back now, I've got the wife and mother thing down. Its my career path that is dangling in the balance. After I realized my current B.S. degree (yes its Bachelor's, but I like to say bullshit) had no advancements for the future I went back to the drawing board. I toyed around with the idea of med school, that was a bust, I wanted to have a family sooner than later, plus I am not a millionaire. Then there was an event planner, I soon realized that the rich and snotty doesn't work well with this Dena girl. And finally the one that I have landed on.... a nurse. I love medicine, shift work, making people feel awesome physically and emotionally and well poop doesn't bother me obviously. So it was set, I talked to the hubs and enrolled in community college to get the last six classes I need to apply, that was in the Fall of 2010. Fast forward to Fall 2012 and I am struggling to get class three and four out of the way and now with a baby on board. Trouble is where do I find the time? I know in order to have a career after all the babes are grown and in school I have to buckle down and finish this path I started. Easier said than done, every time I am around Karson all I want to do is be with him. I want to be a stay at home mom, but I also want to have a career in the future. How do I plan to succeed in this endeavor?  Time management, haha!

In order to start this semester off right. I figure I would make myself a master to-do list. A reference for when I am floundering around like a crazy person. Here it goes:

- Live by the calendar. Makes dates, appointments and time outs in order to survive.
- Take time to enjoy. Breathe!
- Don't forget about the supportive people in your life who make all of this possible.
- Give your best, make this time sacrifice count.
- Craft. Its your best stress relief.
- Don't loose focus on your ultimate goal.
- Love yourself, your family and your life.
- Don't add stress/drama into your already hectic life.
- Be thankful for every minute.
- Make memories and document them.
- Smile.
- Wake up everyday with a fresh start.
- Try to enforce me time- even if its just peeing alone.
- Sleep and nap when time permits.
- Embrace your accomplishments. Be proud.
& finally manage your time!

Tomorrow is Karson's 6 month appointment! Who knows, I might be blogging again.

Let them eat peas!

Stay tuned for mid-September, we have something really fun brewing!

A Mother's Simple Pleasure.

I hate to admit it, but I have been majorly slacking in the writing department. I don't want to make excuses, but this little boy is very particular about what I do and when I do it. He exhausts me and he is not even mobile yet. I just peeked over at him and he gave me this devilish sly look, "Go ahead Mom, try to write your blog, I dare you." What a kid!

We have had a lot of change (or talk of change) in the Mundell household lately. With Kurt working evenings and my working nights we really feel the pressure. We both want to be able to share family time with Karson. When we are being pessimistic, we compare our situation to that of a single parent. I have the days with him, Kurt has the mornings, we alter between nights and my Mom & Stepdad have him a lot! Very rarely are we all together. Since shift work has been our life for the past two years, we don't know any better. We sit and dream of a time (hopefully in the near future) that we can have dinner as a family. Unfortunately, being a parent means making sacrifices, if this is what we have to do to pay the bills and make sure that Karson does not have to be put in daycare this is the way it will stay. We hope not! I can't even imagine adding more little angels to our brood until we get these crazy schedules under control. Because my mantra is "Whatever Will Be, Will Be"  I try my hardest to not let our challenge disrupt our current happiness, or let stress take the attention away from our blessings. Easier said than done, but we make it work, we have too. 

Random note: I am glad that I have a valid excuse to listen to Pandora Kids Radio and watch the Disney channel. It’s the simple things in life.

This past Saturday, my Dad got re-married. I said change has been the topic of conversations and actions around these parts lately. I was happy to have my husband and sweet boy with me. I don't think I could have gotten through it without them. I am not going to lie, it was hard for me. My Dad seemed happy and that's all that really matters. Like I've said before, life is too short to be unhappy. I just hope years from now, when I re-read these blogs and the kids are all grown, Kurt is the one still by my side (with a beer in hand & a smile on his face).

My brother's kids were in the wedding and Kaleb (Karson's cousin who is 7 weeks older than him) was there too. Boy, did they steal the show. People kept complimenting how well behaved and how adorable they were. As a Mom hearing that never gets old. It’s nice to hear compliments come from strangers-they are not obligated to give them. Compliments are like extra sprinkles on a sundae, you don't need them to enjoy it, but they definitely give you a little boost. Let me assure you I am not the kick as Mom I am for any other reason than for this wonderful little boy, but when the tough gets going those (compliments) are the simple things you fall back on. I now understand why my Mom always made a big deal about Mother's Day, its nice to know your cherished for all the things you do as a Mom & a wife. 

Today, Karson & I decided to tackle cleaning out his closet. We are having a yard sale this month & each day we try to organize and prepare. What a short stroll down memory lane...six months! Where has the time gone? My baby is half way to a year old. No way. When I was struggling, or having a rough day in the beginning (& even sometimes now), I kept/keep this mantra in my head (compliments of my Mom) "This to shall pass". We have had so many passing moments; I wish I could have put them in a time capsule. The last six months have simply been the best of my life and surely the most entertaining! It’s sad for me when I imagine having a second child, I won't have the same first time experiences as I did with Karson, but on the other hand I am so looking forward to the future unknowns! (Maybe we'll start talking number two around the Holidays). 

I totally know my kid; this short blog took me three hours to write!

Let me be honest to those who read my blog, these are my experiences, my struggles and joys. I know you'll want to judge, but let me tell you this, I can only wish for you the happiness that consumes my life because of this little boy & his Daddy.

What a Birthday to Remember.

Twenty-five already? Tuesday was the big quarter century Birthday. The day was filled with melancholy memories and joyous celebrations. I can honestly say it was the best Birthday ever just for the awesome company I had. This was my first Birthday as a Momma, might not seem like a big deal, but the entire feel of the day was different (in a good way). Originally we thought to leave the baby with my Mom and take off on a day adventure to Hershey Park. Sounded like a nice break, then the day vastly approached and leaving spud with Grammy was a no-go (I couldn't bear to leave the babes). We went back to the drawing board to plan a nice day, somewhere local and baby friendly. Kurt & I love museums and art and we HATE the heat. We have always wanted to visit the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore. We went to Mr. Rain's Funhouse, the restaurant located in the museum last November for our Anniversary dinner-delicious food! I was way pregnant and couldn't stand the thought of being on my feet any longer than I had to so the museum was not an option. I wanted to share my Birthday between family time and then a Mommy Daddy date. I decided on Brewer's Art on North Charles Street for our grown up time. I had been there for happy hour in college, but never a real meal. The plans were set!

The day started off interesting, a water main break occurred in Baltimore the night before so we scrambled to make sure the museum would be open. Then our lunch plans down the Inner Harbor fell short and we escaped the city for a quiet Asian cuisine. Karson also decided the night before he wanted to be awake to wish me a Happy Birthday at exactly midnight. We watched my birth video and he was pumped for a family DVD marathon. After several attempts for bed, he went down and we all passed out. 5 am my birthday morning and BOOM! he was bright eyed and bushy tailed. We made it to the museum and he was awesome (just sat in his umbrella stroller like a little art critic), there was some really funky stuff there. Mom noticed that the majority of the artists had some form of mental illness, I guess that is what allowed them to think outside of the box. I wish I had the ability to let go of reality a little more when I'm crafting. Be a bit more abstract. I also wish I had the patience! Mom bought Kurt and I two day of the day tiles for our bar wall, we love em! I saw a Zoltar machine and I had to get my fortune, of course it hit home-"Now is the time to start that new project you have been contemplating. Your deliberation will pay off in the long run because doubt is the father of invention and key to knowledge." Could not agree more. Our Date night was fantastic, we re-connected and talked each other's ears off. The food was yummy and I have to say Kurt cleans up pretty well ;0) I told him I wanted another baby for my Birthday, hahaha that was before complete and utter exhaustion set in. We had a wonderful day filled with family, love, art, naps & a total food coma.

Enough of me! Karson has made leaps and bounds the last three days, just as I was beginning to wonder when all these milestones I read about were ever going to happen? When we were getting dolled up for our date, Karson was lying on his play mat completely content. I looked down to check on him and the little booger was on his belly, after he realized what had happened he completely freaked! He rolled over from back to front all by himself. We thought maybe it was a fluke, well darn it the little booger did it again!!! Best present ever. I have been working with him endlessly on rolling over, starting solids and holding his bottle. The other day I was not holding his bottle high enough and he politely took control and well since then has never looked back. I mean he gets a little lazy sometimes, but he is definitely on his way. Last night we went over to Mom's for a pizza party. I packed some apples just in case he decided to get a little crazy. Well he went crazy!!! He was eating them up. I couldn't believe it, the little boy that was projectile spitting rice cereal at us not even two days ago was scarfing these apples up! We will be attempting more apples tonight. I can't believe how fast my baby is growing. All of these monumental milestones will soon be just a sweet memory and I am not missing one of them! Camera in hand at all times. Oh lord I sound like my mother!





















Next up on the agenda: Getting Karson to take naps, especially without me. I don't mind most days because I need the naps in order to work nights, but when I don't have to work its such a waste of time. I do of course love that he wants to cuddle! I know sooner than later he will be on the move and not wanting Momma hanging on to him. Unfortunately or fortunately-depending how you look at it he is no longer into nursing anymore. I am trying to hang on for a couple more weeks. I know my body is sore and tired of it, but my mind loves the quiet time I get to share with my little boy. I know I have said it before, but I am so happy I pressed on and did not give up on breastfeeding. Than again, "quitting" was not in my vocabulary. My boy might be determined and strong willed, but guess what so are Mommy & Daddy!

The Napkin Napper & Temper Tantrum Pro.

Last night at dinner I watched a little family sit a couple tables from us. I thought to myself look at them, that baby is young and they are still living life. Good for them. So jealous. I remembered how for the first three months are Karson's life we were sequestered in the house. Just then, the baby let out a cry and continued for the next couple minutes. I saw the look on the parent's faces, I recognized the feeling, I saw the internal debate. Were they going to have to abort their meal or was this tantrum going to blow over. Like so many other parents Kurt and I have had our fair share of baby meltdowns in the most inopportune places. You know the kind of meltdowns...when people stop in their tracks to watch you do everything in your power to subdue the screaming monster in your arms. Thankfully most of these tantrums have happened when I've been out with my Mom. Unlike Kurt and myself, she has the patience of a saint. I can recall the most embarrassing, it goes back about two months now, but it is definitely one for the history books. We were out running errands, last stop was Michael's. We knew we were in for it, we were cutting it close to bedtime and this boy like's his night time routine! We decided to gamble anyway. We made it into the door when he began to scream at the top of his lungs, in an effort to get the bottle ready as fast as possible I drenched him, myself and his car seat. Breast milk splashed all over the floor. I felt so bad for the guy who had to mop up after us. Of course Mom had to tell him specifically that it was breast milk.That stuff is horribly sticky!!! At this point you could hear his scream echoing throughout the store. All eyes were on us, or at least they felt like it. I quickly snapped at my Mom and ran out the door with him. Couple minutes later and I was determined to buy what I came for. About ten  minutes later while in the baking aisle, my Mom left us to use the bathroom. As soon as she walked away the second wave hit. This time I only had one pair of hands, in addition to spilling the milk, I dropped an entire display of cupcake trays. I thought to myself the security camera is getting one hell of a show tonight. Just then, Mom came back and proceeded to tell me that she could hear Karson all the way in the back of the store, if you know Michael's, then you know how huge the store is. I was spent, he won. We purchased and got the hell out of dodge. Lesson learned. Tantrums are part of life, some worse than others. Us parents, we feel for each other. I wanted so bad to go to those parents and let them know it wasn't as bad as it seemed!

This morning at breakfast, Karson grabbed my napkin. Lately he is being known as the napkin napper. Of course, he put it non-stop directly into his mouth. Kurt freaked out and let him know this was not okay! He took the napkin from him and he started screaming. As an experiment I gave it back, he stopped crying. Holy lord it is starting already, temper tantrums for not getting what he wants! This child is going to be exhausting. Napkins are not for babies! Fourth of July we took it easy, I had to work that night and the heat beat us. We went to the Green Turtle for lunch. Kurt was holding boogie, when the napkin napper struck. I look up and before we know it Karson has half of the napkin ripped off in his mouth. Kurt swung into action and just about choked the poor kid in an effort to save his life. Turtle napkins are not made for the potent drool this kid produces. Another lesson learned. Test your napkins before letting your baby have it.

In other news I think I am going to take a swing at this whole handmade crafting business. Since the evolution of websites like Etsy and Pinterest, crafting is cool! Its about time other people got on the bandwagon. Since the beginning of my stay at home days, I have had the time to devote to some crafting projects, I've done a couple things for the house and a couple as gifts. Most recently I hand painted wooden picture frames and specialized them to fit the Father that they were going to. In one night shift at work I did seven frames. Pretty good. I need to fine tune my details and plan more constructively. I am very critical of my work, which makes for some aggravation. I don't want to get in over my head with this, I want to be able to still enjoy crafting. First, I need to see if there is a market for handmade gifts. I believe there is. Second, I need to see if anyone is interested in my crafts. I've had some positive comments come my way. Thirdly, I need to sit down with the husband and write up a business plan, marketing, advertising and all the money talk. Then, we will get to making a go of this. Who knows, it might be a fun way of meeting new people and getting in touch with my creative side. I'm done circling the drain, now I just gotta take a leap of faith. Kreations by Kasey coming soon!

The Napkin Napper Strikes Again!