Memorial Day

We headed to Somerset for Memorial Day weekend. We arrived Thursday afternoon and stayed with Kevin's parents until Saturday morning, then moved to my parents' condo until Monday. We must have had a blast because I apparently didn't have time to take many pictures. Here are a few:
Warner petting Cameron. We realized he is definitely allergic to dogs this trip. We've suspected it for a while - after petting them he generally gets a bad face rash and his eyes sometimes even swell nearly shut. But that doesn't keep him from playing with them. I'm convinced once he can speak in sentences he'll be begging for a dog. Warner petting Cameron again. You can't tell in this picture, but Cameron has a spot on her shoulder that was shaved and has stitches - the vet took a biopsy of a growth she has but it was thankfully just a fatty deposit (those fatty deposits happen to the best of us I suppose). Anyway, Warner would point to the stitches and say "ouch", then find any other "ouches" on other people or his on his knees.Eating blueberries at the condo while watching Mickey Mouse in the morning. This kid loves blueberries more than anyone I know. And eating them from the container while watching TV was just bliss for this little boy.

We also took Warner on a brief boat ride. He loved it at first, he laughed and smiled but quickly got bored. I think if he would have gotten in the lake he would have liked it better. And Warner LOVED the golf cart at the condo. Well, really the whole Woodson Bend setup: between the playground, pool, golf cart, and other outdoor playing he was in heaven. This should be a fun summer at the lake.

Kevin and I also got to play golf - I got in 27 holes and Kevin got in quite a bit more, and some new wedges to boot, so I think it's safe to say he enjoyed the weekend as well. We'll be back again next week with MaNell, Emme, Aunt Debbie, and my Mom so I'll try to take more pictures then.

Texas

Warner and I finally made the trip to visit my parents in Texas. Since Kevin doesn't have enough vacation days to travel like Warner and I do (ha) and my grandparents wanted to visit my parents, we decided to make the trip together. Although if felt as if we drove across the entire continental US (Kevin has since reminded me it was only four states) we survived the 14+ hour drive. Thanks to our newly installed DVD player and lots of attention from my grandparents, Warner was a very good traveler.We split up the drive both ways with a hotel stay overnight. Warner loved the luggage carts. Once we arrived Warner was spoiled by Grammie and Grandpa. My mom has a whole room for Warner at her house and it even came stocked with toys. He was in heaven. Here are a few pictures from our trip:Playing in Grammie's sink. Who would have known this would be so fun? More water fun: the fountain. Warner would have us lift him up so he could play in the top part of the fountain. Between the sink and this he was quite entertained.We went to Fort Worth to the stockyards one afternoon to see their "live cattle drive". It was actually pretty neat - they drive the cows right down the middle of the street.Warner got to see the cows and the horses. He liked petting the horses until they started making noises, and then he wasn't so sure.With Grammie at the stockyards.Playing the piano with Grandpa. I pray Warner has inherited my Dad's musical abilities!
Doing some work at Grandpa's office. We went to my Dad's work to visit and meet his coworkers one evening. Of course Warner decided to fill his diaper as soon as we got there, so he's probably known at Parago as the stinky kid.Taking a ride in Grammie and Grandpa's new convertible. Wow did he think this was fun. He laughed the entire time we drove.Wearing Grammie's sunglasses (upside down of course) in the car. What a cool guy.
I believe Warner has my parents right where he wants them.

Coupons

Since I stay home now, I feel part of my job is to run our household more efficiently. This mostly means trying to save money. A friend of mine introduced me to couponing last summer and I have been hooked ever since.

I buy multiple newspapers each Sunday and print coupons online. I have a huge three-ring binder that holds all of my neatly clipped and organized coupons in plastic photo holders (there are even dividers - frozen foods, personal care items, etc.). Sunday night I scour my favorite blogs that match weekly store sales with coupons and then make my grocery list for the week based on that. I hope to get better at tracking just how much I spend and save each month, but I know we're close to $350-400 each month for groceries, which includes diapers.

Today I went three different places for sales - Kroger, Meijer, and CVS. Since we're leaving for Dallas tomorrow we didn't really need anything immediately - so, I just stocked up on the good sale items. I got:

- 6 boxes of Kellogg's cereal for $1 each.
- Four packages of frozen Voila! meals - $2 each.
- Four bottles of Kraft BBQ sauce - free.
- Four boxes of Quaker chewy granola bars - $1.50 each.
- Two bottles of Listerine total care - $1.79 each.
- Four packages of Kleenex - $1 each. (Not a great deal but we needed them)

So, I spent a total of $27.58 for all of this. The regular price for these items is roughly $69, so I saved 41.42, or 60%. I have been amazed at the weeks where I'll get items for free (like the BBQ sauce) or nearly free - I have a bin in the basement full of Lysol cleaning supplies that I paid .25-.50 for.

However, all of this couponing and shopping at multiple stores is quite time consuming. I'd say I spend 5+ hours each week clipping, organizing, researching sales, and shopping. So is it worth it? I'm not sure. And I do feel sort of funny in the grocery store carrying around my binder of coupons. We had a speaker at MOPS who teaches couponing classes and coined the phrase: "if she's shopping with a binder, don't get behind her". Very true. It takes me forever to get through a store.

But for now, I feel like I'm helping our family ... and sometimes getting away with something. Free food. Who would have known?

Grammie

Since my parents now live nearly 1000 miles away, it often feels like we never see them. Thankfully we both have Mac's and we video chat fairly often in addition to talking on the phone. Warner has just begun to like video chatting, and recognizes my mom's face on the computer screen when we talk to her.
This morning I was telling Warner that we were going to see Grammie soon (we're going to Dallas later this week for our first visit to Texas), and asked him if he wanted to see Grammie. He looked at me, said "Grammie?" (well, his version of Grammie which really sounds nothing like Grammie) then took my hand to have me follow him. He walked straight to the computer and pointed at it. I told him it was too early to video chat, but he kept pointing to the screen, so I pulled up a picture of my mom. He immediately smiled and started waving to the screen, saying "hi" (which comes out "hi-eee"). Apparently, he thinks my mom lives in the computer. I'm sure he'll be happy to see the real thing later this week.

18 Months

I realize 18 months isn't 18 years, but I understand why parents say their children grow up too fast. It seems like yesterday that we brought Warner home from the hospital - a fragile, helpless preemie. He is quickly developing into a busy toddler with quite the personality.

I was so nervous about his 18 month check-up with the pediatrician. Friends had told me to expect a long questionnaire regarding Warner's developmental progress and milestones, and I worked with Warner as if we were preparing for the SAT's. However, I was (imagine this) worrying about nothing.

I thought he was supposed to be using 20 words appropriately - which he sort of is. Okay, it's a stretch to name 20. When the doctor asked if he used 6 words I said (surprise in my voice) "well yes, of course he uses six words". The other milestones such as "can he run?" were pretty easy. Uh, yes, he can run - this comes in handy when I'm trying to change a diaper or get him in the car when we're running late. Or, "can he use a toothbrush?" Again, yes - he brings his toothbrush and toothpaste to me multiple times a day wanting to brush his teeth (really just chew on the toothbrush and suck the toothpaste off of it).

So, he's on track. Whew. Therefore I can continue to tell Kevin it's pointless to put money in Warner's 529 plan because he's going to earn a full-ride scholarship to Harvard.

Oh, and his physical stats: 33 inches long (75th percentile) and 28 pounds 12 ounces (85th percentile). Here are some shots from his 18-month pictures:

Minnesota

We survived 24+ hours in the car this weekend for a trip to Minneapolis. We went for two reasons: to walk in the "Get Your Rear in Gear" 5k for Colon Cancer as a part of team Meredith's Miracles, and to visit our good friends Corey and Andrea from when we lived in Minnesota.

The weekend was wonderful. Corey and Andrea treated us to exceptional food (they should start a restaurant, I think I gained 5 pounds over four days) and welcomed us into their home without regard for the mess and piles of stuff that come with an 18 month old. My mom came on Friday so we got to spend time with her, too.

The walk on Sunday was bittersweet. The entrance fee for the race went exclusively to Colon Cancer research, which seemed a bit different than other races I've run. Generally the race itself is the point, and no one knows which charities it's benefiting. This race was certainly the opposite. Most everyone was part of a team that was supporting a colon cancer patient, or a loved one who had died of the disease. Our team had about 12 people, but others had 50 plus members. We met many people who had lost loved ones at a young age, like Meredith, to colon cancer. While it saddens me to know there are so many people affected by this disease, I found a sense of comfort knowing our family isn't alone. Team Meredith's Miracles.Warner had a great time being pushed by others. I think I'm going to request his spot in the stroller for the next race.A yummy dinner with Corey and Andrea.Corey quickly won Warner over by throwing him in the air whenever he wanted.Andrea, Warner, and me playing outside. Thankfully the weather was nice for most of our visit. (You never know in Minnesota - I was afraid there'd still be snow on the ground.)Warner enjoying a Jimmy John's sandwich and a video on the ride home.

I had a conversation with my sister about a week before she died. I told her that from there forward, every race I ran I'd dedicate to her. She politely smiled, but then said "that's nice, but you know I really hate running". Which is so true. She never understood why I love long-distance running.

We laughed about that as we walked in celebration of Meredith on Sunday. Even though she hated running, I'm sure she'd approve of our efforts to honor her memory and create hope for the future of colon cancer treatment. We plan to make this an annual event, for our Meredith.

Easter

We celebrated Easter with Kevin's parents, his sister, and her family yesterday. We had so much fun! The kids did a scavenger hunt to find their Easter baskets, played Easter games, and did an egg hunt.

We also enjoyed a yummy meal. It's funny, because Kevin and I didn't grow up that far apart, geographically. With my family in Ohio/Indiana and his in Kentucky, you'd think culturally the cuisine would be similar. But the food his family enjoys is different, and just lovely (probably even lovelier since I'm pregnant). Dishes like broccoli cheese cornbread and hashbrown casserole never graced the dinner table at my family functions growing up. And let me just say, we were missing out.Kevin and Warner are off to find Easter eggs in our backyard.Found one! Once Warner realized there was food inside the eggs, he wasn't very enthusiastic about finding more. He much preferred eating the marshmallows and candy in the eggs he'd already found.Quick stop for a picture with mom.After the egg hunt with full baskets.

Art

Warner's friend Ethan lent him an Aquadoodle mat and pen, but it's taken him a while to get the hang of it. For a while he would just suck on the pen (filled with water - yuck) and run around the house with it in his hand. After some instruction, I think he's gotten it.And, he doesn't eat crayons anymore, either. What progress.

New Blogger

It's never a good sign when I've taken my eye off of Warner and the house becomes very quiet. This happened the other day and I found him here:
We might just have a new blogger in the family.

It's a ...

... girl! We had our ultrasound Thursday and everything seems to be going well this pregnancy. Thankfully we had a patient ultrasound tech who went back a second time to find out the sex of the baby - she wasn't too cooperative the first time around!

We are so thrilled to know that the baby is healthy. The fact that it's a girl is icing on the cake! We can't wait to meet this little one in August. Well, Warner might be able to wait, but I'm sure he'll love being a big brother once he gets used to it.

My Little Helper

Warner has just started "helping" around the house. He will (sometimes) help pick up his toys, put his clothes in the laundry basket, etc. But he surprised me today.

I stopped using a diaper genie a long time ago and instead just put his stinky diapers in the garbage in the garage. I had set a stinky diaper on the steps to our basement to take to the garage on our next trip out, but before I had a chance to throw it away, Warner and I were coming back up the stairs to the kitchen. Warner picked up the diaper, walked to the pantry, opened the pantry door (I didn't know he could do this - kind of a bummer that he can now reach the knob), and put the diaper in the garbage! The best part was afterward. He shut the pantry door, turned to look at me, patted his chest (he does this when he's proud of something he's done), and gave me the biggest smile.

I could get used to this.

Florida

Warner and I spent 10 days in Florida and returned home earlier this week. Unfortunately Kevin wasn't able to join us. The flight was my only concern as far as traveling alone with a 17 month-old, but it turned out to be okay. Warner passed the time by running up and down the aisle of the plane, trying to sneak into first class/playing with the first class divider curtain, playing with the bathroom door, eating snacks (he blew through them about 30 minutes into each flight), and watching Mickey Mouse on DVD. Whew.

Once we arrived at the beach, Warner was in heaven. Each day he played in the sand, the ocean, the pool, and probably his favorite was the hose that you use to wash your feet off after coming in from the beach. Go figure. He would run straight into the ocean alone if we weren't quick enough.In the pool with Grammy.
"Look at the birds, Mom!""I'd like to go this way, Grammy.""Swimming" in the ocean.

All of the playing took it's toll - Warner took 2-3 hour naps each day and slept like a rock for 11+ hours each night. It was wonderful! I got plenty of beach/pool time during his naps (my Grandma would watch Warner for me while he slept) and finished almost 2 books and got to walk each day. Truly a vacation for me, too!

The rest of the time we spent with family - my mom was there the whole time, as were my Grandparents. My dad was there for a few days, and so were my Aunt Debbie, Jami (my cousin Tommy's wife - their blog is on my links - The Warner Family), and their kids Maddi and Trey.Warner with Grandma and Grandpa Warner (we call them Grandma and Grandpa Gene though, because I have a feeling the Warner thing will get confusing pretty soon).
And of course our vacation diet was a bit unhealthy. Ice cream, suckers, goldfish whenever Warner wanted, etc. Over the course of our visit, Warner and Grammy became quite the friends. Even though my parents are in Texas now, it's nice that we can still spend quality time together so often.What a great vacation.

Sweet

We started out really well with Warner's diet. He didn't have processed sugar until his first birthday, and I even made his baby food. Unfortunately it's been downhill since his first bite of birthday cake.

Warner is what we call an eater. He generally eats whatever is in front of him, which for the most part is healthy. In my defense, I'm very conscious of his diet being well-balanced and including plenty of vegetables and fruits. But sweets are my weakness and I'm pretty sure they're going to be Warner's, too. Add in the fact that I'm pregnant and love to bake, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
During our trip to Muncie last week, MaNell, Emme, Warner, and I had doughnuts for breakfast. This is Warner pointing to them, saying "dat" for "that", which means he wants more. Lots more. (Notice his mouth is already full when he asks for more).
And then this weekend for Nanny's birthday, Leslie and the girls made cupcakes. Warner put down two entire cupcakes before we cut him off.

Yes, he's my son indeed.