From this to that

Ian on Sunday.

Ian Today.

Right now I am spent, both physically and emotionally. So I will leave you with those images and say it is amazing how things can change from one day to the next.

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FlashBack Friday

This image is from the last few months of care free child free days, it was Casey's 25th birthday party. Just a few short months after this party, we found out we would be parents. That night was filled with friends, laughter, and joy. Those moments have not been as often these past few weeks. In the past few hours we can have these moments with out spending tons of money. We can have friends over for nothing, we can go to the park, and do lots of things with out spending a dime.


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Bad JuJu Go Away

I attended my first Tweet up last night in Flower Mound, which I was crazy enough to drive to from Midtown Dallas to Flower Mound during rush hour. It was worth it, I enjoyed myself so much. It was so nice and relaxing, for a few hours I was able to forgot all the drama that fills our lives. Then I come home to a husband who is in a panic about his job situation.
I understand times are tough for us, but I am tired of dwelling on it and living a constant state of fear. My home has been taken over by so much bad JuJu that it is uncomfortable for me to be here. Yet I have no where to go, and I don't want to leave. I want the bad JuJu too, but when you aren't the one creating the bad JuJu how do you get it to not affect you?

I want this Casey back, I am tired of the cranky, moody, women(it seems like), that has over taken him. Before you say that he is stressed as the provider for our home and he feels like he is failing at that role right now. Even though all that is going on what can I do to improve the JuJu in our home? This post went on a tangent I will blog about the Tweet up later.
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Gnat in my eye

After the first week of Casey being home jobless, and one huge meltdown later. We implemented a chore chart(for us the grown ups). I had enough of him not caring about the way our home looked, and I could not get it up to par alone. He agreed and for the first couple of weeks everything was going great. He was working with me to purge and get our home to a respectable amount of clean, I don't need it to be perfect it but I hate the way we still treat our home like we are college kids. Then in the past week he seems to be slipping backwards. I guess I should tell you who has what duties.
Bobbi:
Bathrooms
Laundry
Living Room
Casey:
Kitchen
Pay Bills
Shared(Alternating):
Vacuum
Dust
Cooking
Taking trash to Dumpster

He has less since he will go back to work at some point. I just want him to realize I need help. Well in the past couple of days our home seemed to be over taken by gnats. He kept asking me where they were coming from, well I was in the kitchen this evening filling foots water bowl and realized that there was an icky old milk sippy cup sitting in the sink he hadn't been washing. When I moved it gnats attacked me, I about blew my lid. Instead I just finished watering foot, filled the sink with hot water and started washing the cups he hadn't been washing. When I was finished. I just walked back into the living and instead avoided the argument that would have happened on calling him out on it. Which may seem childish to some of you, and I know it is but it irked me to no end. His biggest point when making the list together when I took laundry was that I had to wash and put it away in a timely manner(that is my biggest weakness putting it away). Well when he offered to take the kitchen if I took the bathrooms, I was ecstatic I hate doing dishes. Well I need to figure out how to calmly approach him that Ian's cups are part of the dishes and leaving them sitting in the sink is not completely doing the dishes. Any ideas? On the other hand this chore chart has made doing the laundry more bearable some how.
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Image from Flickr

Enough Already

This post has been on my mind and in my heart for a long time. I know that once this post is over I might lose some twitter followers, blog readers, and maybe even some internet friends.
On twitter and some boards that I frequent, the scare tactics they use for people not doing something the way they wish is horrible. Just because someone isn't doing something the way you want doesn't give you the right to bully or try fear mongering them in to doing the way you want. Maybe that way isn't best for them, or maybe they just don't want to do it that way. Also I am tired of women attacking other women for doing things different, we as women we should build each other not tear each other down.


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Potluck

It is Monday so party people you know what that means potluck, hosted by the lovely TexasHolly of June Cleaver Nirvana.

Surprisingly the last week in the Gregory Household has seemed to have flown by with out any overly dramatic moments.

I have instated a don't ask don't tell between Casey and I on this front unless he has a job. So I don't know anything which I will take as no news isn't good news.

Last Thursday Casey, I and a couple of his ex-coworkers. It rained the first two hours we were there and I then became miserable, and they keep telling me to perk up. I seriously wanted to shout at them, I was soaking wet all the rides were closed. No I wasn't having fun.

Nothing that I have noticed, I told you it was calm week in our house. I am expecting this week to be a crazy week, since calm can never stay.

This is a small potluck but I am spent. That is all I can think of, but next week look forward to my newest addition it is going to be about dreams. So ask you my readers to name it?

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The "Curse" Returns

*To my Daddy and Family if you don't want to read about my body and how it has adjusted post loss. *
I don't know where to start, my body and I have a love hate relationship. It likes to do things on it's own strange timetable. I didn't even start to get boobs until 8th grade, I didn't get the "curse" until late into my freshman year. I wore a size zero until the beginning of my sophomore year, then in one year I went from a size zero to a size 7. What the hell my hips decided when they arrived that they needed to be childbearing size. When pregnant it feels the need to pack on the pounds in the beginning instead of the end. While pregnant with Ian I put on 20 lbs in the first four months and then didn't gain again until the last two months of pregnancy. After I had him I could fit in my pre-prego jeans in less then 2 weeks. I wasn't back to normal but I could wear my clothes. Then I some how with me dieting or trying to lose any weight, decided to shed 15 lbs when Ian was about 10 months old. I was so happy I looked great, and most importantly I was feeling great. Then I got pregnant, with Ryan and in the first month had gained almost half of the weight loss back. By the time I had found out we had lost the baby I had gained almost all of it back. My body did not react well to this, it countined to gain weight for a couple of weeks and then just sat. No matter what I did I couldn't get any of the weight to come of. Then it dawned on me, I wouldn't lose a pound until I my period came back. So then I continued to do the yoga and work out dvd's because they made me feel better. Then last Saturday I went in and my old friend had returned. I had never been so excited to have a period in my life (how sad is that). Then as I was getting dressed yesterday I realized I had begun to lose weight(not because I step on the scales) because my clothes fit better. I don't worry about the numbers on the scales in the beginning it is about how I feel and how my clothes fit. It dawned on me yesterday that I had been feeling better in the past week, better then I had felt in weeks. I no longer hate the "curse" and feel blessed of its return. With her came the feeling of normal.
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What Should I Do?

The past few days, I feel like a demon has came over my toddler. The demon of teething, we have been lucky before this never having really dealt with any changes in routine or attitude. Ian has had only 2 bottom teeth since he was about 8 months old, then this week hos attitude went from mellow and laid back to high maintenance. It took us a couple of days to figure out what was going on. Then I thought I should look in his mouth and man no wonder he is miserable he is getting every bottom at one. I think it is something like 10 teeth waiting to break through pretty much all at once. Any advice, I am going to be honest we have never really had to deal with true teething before. I am losing my mind his routine has gone to crap, his attitude is like a pmsing teenage girl. Help me before I lose my mind.
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Now I want a cookie.

The man who has my heart has it for many reason's, some of them are relevant and some of them are quirky.

• He makes the best cookies, never hard the perfect amount of chewy. 
• After years of working in a coffee shop, he makes the best coffee(when he makes it). 
• He has only made me one mix cd, but it was perfect I want another. 
• He treats me like a queen even when I am a pain in his ass, which in all honesty is most of the time. 
• He is an amazing father, he loves our little guy so much. 
• He is the best friend, I could have ever wished for. 
• He can do the dishes like nobodies business. 
• We balance each other out, he is calm and mellow where I am irrational and flighty. 

I am so lucky to have found him and for him to put up with everything I have thrown at him. In the beginning I was not the best girlfriend, heck I wasn't even a good friend to him. I am glad that he loved me enough to stick it out, cause now I have a lifetime to try and make it up to him and it will take a lifetime. Not that I will ever get caught up in making my mistakes up to him, I will keep making them(I am the one who makes the most mistakes).  I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us, hopefully it will be a little easier then this past but I am not holding my breath. 



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Live, Laugh, Love

At this time 3 years ago, I was laying down to rest before I married my best friend. I had a busy morning setting everything up, we even had to make a last minute trip to Wal-Mart (I was lucky I didn't run in to Casey, turns out we were at Wal-Mart at the exact same time). I didn't know if I would have a cake, my Daddy had to drive to south Fort Worth to get it. Casey says his day was laid back, he went to Wal-Mart got a new tire(we had a blow out on our way to rehearsal), went to lunch with friends, and pretty much did nothing. While I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, until I was sent to the house I was staying at to relax.

When I arrived to get dressed and chat with my girls, I was overwhelmed with butterflies. I don't know what the boys were up to but I have seen the pictures it looks like they were having fun. As I was ushered up stairs to get in my dress and finish getting ready, I felt so anxious. Mostly I was worried about falling down the stairs during my entry. Everything else about that day flew by, now that I look back it wasn't the perfect day but that doesn't matter we were married and that is all that matters.

Today is the 3rd anniversary of the day we said I do, each anniversary has brought it's own surprise. The week before I first anniversary we found out we were going to have a baby, we consider that to be the greatest present of all. Last year were so happy Casey had just found a job after his second lay off. This year we are grateful to have a roof over our heads, food to fill out tummies, and a home full of love.

We have faced a fair amount of obstacles in these first few years, if we can overcome these we can overcome anything. I know it won't always be easy, if ever(that is what it feels like at this moment). If we fall back on our love for each other, we shall be able to over come anything that is thrown our way.

I love you Casey, and can't wait to see what life has in store for us.
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Rambles with a Rant Mixed in

so I am feeling, better from the sickness when I remember to to take my medicine like I am supposed too. We are finally getting a little routine down, with Casey being here. I am glad he gets to spend this time with Ian and see how he is through out the day, just so he has an idea of what i go through. Even though I am happy with everything is, part of me can't wait to have my days back. I love my husband but going on week 4 of being together nearly all day every day, is very stressful. We have friends that own a business and are together what seems like all the time. I could not do that, I don't think Casey would want that either. The past few days, I have spent getting Ian's room arranged to be more toddler friendly. We now have a bookshelf with cubes to make storing things easier. I mentioned in a previous post we don't use his closet. I find it overwhelming when we do, none of his clothes are hung up so what would I use it for? Now it is used to store things he has outgrown and other things. The closet in all over apartment are huge and plentiful(that is one of the great things about living in older apartments). In the past week I we decided if possible we will be renewing our lease for at least 6 months when it is up. It might even be longer, we know that we eventually want to rent a home with a yard but why am I so unhappy with what we have. We have everything we need space wise and then some. I think part of it is I feel overwhelmed with belongings, we I have begun to purge things. This is a slow process, I have so many things that I haven't touched in years but have held on too. It is time to let things go. Nothing is exempt from being purged everything from clothes to kitchen klutter is gone. I am tired of living in a home that looks like we are still right out of college(well Casey at least, I still have to finish). It doesn't have to break the bank to look like we I care about were we live. I mean Lauren has given me two lamps that go with my vibe and pull my living room together. I need to get brave and re-stain the bench that sits right in my front door to match the wood tones going on in my living room. Then my living room would be finished except for curtains(more blocking light then decoration, but I want them to look good)and either some art or a mirror on one wall. That would be the first room we have ever finished. We have always been worried about other things then finishing our home, but after the last few weeks both Casey has realized how important taking care of your home really is. That is something I have been trying to get him to understand. Next room is the bedroom, I wish. All we need for it is a $200 dresser from ikea and art work for above the headboard. Since, we purchased a new bed last fall our first real step at making our bedroom an oasis. Which we need to finish, we all the recent stresses life as thrown at us, we need a place to retire to and unwind. I no one thing as soon as I can get him to help me move it the Tv in there is gone. Even though there is no cable in any room but the living room, I feel like it has bad JuJu just being in there. I think I have rambled long enough. I will leave you with a picture of me and my love, one perk of him being home is he helps gets things done.

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Potluck

It is that time again folks, for the Lovely Texas Holly of June Cleaver Nirvana to host the party of all of us blogger's random thoughts and call it a potluck (since we all bring our own quirks to the party).

Well the last week in the Gregory house was a calm one considering everything that is/has been going on.

Zilch, Nada, Nothing. Too many resumes out to count and we haven't heard a thing from anybody.

SHOES, mostly his own. We were trying to go to my mom's yesterday and could only locate one of numerous pairs of shoes. That problem has been fixed thanks to my Mom, who purchased Ian a book shelf at ikea that is 8 different cubbyholes. So we now have a cubby at the top with a box in it that is just for shoes, so that he can't get to them(No we don't use his closet to store his clothes or shoes). My phone was located from last weeks potluck.

We tried the Spiral Cafe in Dallas (it is a vegan cafe), I was probably not much fun to hang with cause turns out I have/had an ear infection, I finally caved and went to the doctor last Friday to find this out. And the Lovely Lauren has finally finished the much anticipated blog makeover for me.

Instead of "What did I find in my purse"(since I was sick last week and didn't really go anywhere) this week will will have how much time can one waste on ETSY.com? A lot is the answer, I go to look up one thing and end up hours later realizing, that sight is never ending. I could easily spend a fortune on that sight.

I had so many ideas for today's potluck as I was drifting of to dream land last night and can't think of any of them now. Isn't that how it always goes?

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Update

A couple a weeks ago I posted about making changes to your home when you don't have any money to spend. Well as everyone knows Mother's Daywas last weekend. Well Casey asked me what I wanted and for once he was surprised by the simplicity of my answer, all I wanted was a few picture frames for my photo wall. He told me that I had a budget of $20 and I could go pick a few out, he didn't want to pick out the wrong ones. So the next day I ventured out to find a few frames with in my budget that I liked, first I hit up Dollar General(where I found 3 frames) and Target(where I found another 3 frames). I did go over budget by 2 dollars but Casey's wasn't upset by that. And I signed up with Snap Fish the week before and got 50 free prints so with those and my new frames, I had a great day figuring out what to hang up on my wall.

It isn't finished, it might not ever be. Being that it is my favorite memories of our lives, and those will continue to be made. My only regret is that I forgot to print this picture.

I think it is my favorite picture of me and Ian, that has been taken.
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What you would really see

Taking a cue from Stephine of "Adventures in Babywearing", today's post is going to be what would you see if you were looking in my windows.

You would see a much neglected sun room that I am not really sure of what to do with. A kitchen that the dishes need to be done and the floors mopped. An space that holds a computer desk, a chair and a bookshelf where the books have been strewn around the area by a toddler terrorist.

A living room that is strewn with toys and needs to be vacuum. A couple of bedrooms that need to be tidy. A ton of laundry that needs to be sorted, washed, dried, and the toughest part of all put away. I have pictures that need to be hung, things that need to be sorted and purged. All those things take time to get accomplished, some time with out little hands that "help" would be nice. We may have things that need to be finished, but there isn't it always something. We have a roof over our heads, food in our tummies, and a home full of love, which are the important things.

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*Images are of last nights bedtime routine.

Okay People

Remember that "When did I go from a kid to a grown up?", is a Work in Progress. The wonderful, thoughtful, and snarky Lauren of Mommy is Rock and Roll. Is doing all this for free, and on her time so please be patient as we work out the kinks. To all of those having trouble commenting, please click on the post title and then scroll down there is a comment form. Also any comments on the new look or suggestion please leave them.
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Please Help Me Get There

Thank you for considering my sponsorship opportunity!

As a devoted blogger and adventurous women. I love discovering, reviewing and sharing family and women oriented products with my readers. Conferences, such as those I’m seeking sponsorship for, not only offer me the opportunity to connect with other bloggers in the social media arena, but it also gives YOU the opportunity to have a dedicated brand representative eager to educate others and extend your reach.
Currently Seeking Sponsorship:

EVO 2010

I am seeking no more than 3 sponsors to fully fund this venture. My official sponsors would provide:

* Round-trip airfare from Dallas, Texas to Salt Lake City
* 3 nights at the hotel where the event is being held (all three days at $220, this includes a shared rental car and room)
* EVO ‘10 Event Ticket which can currently be purchased as a discount

I will cover all other accrued costs including food and clothing.

What is EVO?

At Evo’10, you’ll experience the evolution of the social web as it transforms right before your eyes. Learn ways to engage your audience, channel your authenticity, and develop your social media strategy. Evo’10 will explore the evolution of smart practices, including design, photography, public relations, community building, marketing, writing/content, and more with some of the best experts to help you evolve.

EVO ‘10 is being held from Thursday June 24th through Saturday June 26th in beautiful Park City, Utah.

For a $250 sponsorship I would provide:

* Above-the-Fold ad from now through June 30
* Two product/brand blog posts
* Twitter activity from now through event
* Facebook visability from now through event
* Distribution of literature or samples
* Constant shout-outs through EVO ‘10

For a $500 sponsorship I would provide the above as well as:

* “Sponsored by” designation in header
* Ad stays on site 120 days after event
* Will wear clothing promoting your brand for 1 full day of event

Of course any additional opportunities or ideas are welcome. I’m open to almost anything. Almost.

And if your company would like to be my SOLE sponsor the total conference cost would be $750. You would not only receive everything listed but all of my promotional attention focused on your brand.

How to make it happen
Please feel free to contact me via email at bobbijanay@kidtogrownup.com
Thank you again for your consideration! I look forward to showcasing your company!


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Stronger

I know if you read my Motherhood post this past Sunday, that you would realize the Gregory household was in a funk. We I woke up determined to make this week better, then the last. I know that we are in a stressful situation, but instead of letting that taking over and rule. I am determined to make the best of this, we are getting to spend time together we normally wouldn't. Ian is getting to see his Daddy more then just a few hours a day. Casey gets to see that I do stuff during the day, not just sit around all day. We have had set backs this week, all of us have been feeling under the weather. So we have had our cranky moments, but they have been less then last week. Today was a rough day Ian and I had to be up and at an appointment by 10am and no being late to this one. We got there and he is in a mood, all day same mood poor guy between allergies and teething this guy isn't getting any breaks this week. I haven't been as patience with him as he needs since I too am battling my own illness(?), I think I am trying to get an sinus or ear infection (maybe even both). I have had a never ending headache and I want to pull my right ear off. Then Casey is battling the allergy demon too, but he is taking it better then I am. We will come through this stronger then when we started, part of being a family is taking stumbles and coming through stronger.
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Back in the saddle again

Since losing Ryan Jane in March, we have been using disposable wipes and diapers. Partially because we had a battle with Strep on Ian's tush, that was rough but that got cleared up and we got the free and clear to go back to cloth diapers from the doctor. I still wasn't ready emotionally for all the work that cloth diapering takes, plus the fact that we use cloth wipes, yes I made that transition right around Ian's birthday. I hadn't blogged about it yet, I was still getting the hang of it when all this started.
So as of last week we ran out of wipes and we started using cloth wipes again, not in the traditional way. I gathered them all up after I stripped all of my diapers (again), since the start of all this I have stripped them twice previously. Right now we have them gathered in a basket in the bathroom off of Ian's room and we wet them in the faucet when needed. I have a wipe warmer, for cloth wipes but I haven't found a solution that I like(Any Ideas). A couple a weeks ago I tried a cloth diaper on him but when I took it off his all diaper was bright red, so I decided to stick with sposies till I could figure out what caused that. So I stripped them again but this time just with old style dawn dish washing detergent and I am go back to the soap I used before all this tush trouble started. I was so upset that the cloth diaper detergent I bought didn't get his diapers clean enough or just irritated his skin. So the long drawn out point of this post is that we are back in the cloth diaper saddle again. It might not be every diaper of every day (as of right now) but I have to start somewhere. So wish me luck as I dive back in after an extended break.
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18 years and still going

Ever since that fall in 1992 when she walked in to Mrs. McConnell's class and Bean and I fought over giving her a tour of the school we been friends. Lou is Ian Godmother, my partner in crime in high school and college, and now that friend that you know will always be there.

We have been through a lot in all these years, I think if you ask her what she will never forget there are a few stories that come to mind. Driving up literally seconds after my first car accident, I hadn't even turned on the flashers yet. I remember as I opened the car door to get out hearing Thank God she isn't hurt from Suzanne and Laura squealing. Before I could get the door open though I remember Suzanne telling Lou to go check on me and Lou saying no I am afraid she will be dead. Hence now once I leave their house I still have call when I get where I am going. Then there is the time she slept in the Trauma ICU waiting room after my 3rd and worst wreck. Or the numerous trips she made with me and my mom to the the ER when I hurt myself (in jr. high and high school).
I have a few favorite memories of Lou, but I think the best is the time she broke her arm at my house and while my mom was on the phone with her mom asking which hospital she wanted her taken too. She was upset we weren't doing anything and started screaming Call the cops, Call an ambulance, Call Someone Who Cares. The next part is very mean but all my mom, her mom and I could do was laugh. Then there is the night after my 21st birthday where I was still hungover and in Casey's bed while she went to a party down the street. She tried to fight with a girl 3 times her size to defend me and then after getting drug away from the party came and and told me to smell her upper lift cause she took a shot off the shot block(Sorry Suzanne butt at least in her state she remembered to defend me).
So I can't see what the future holds for our friendship, I hope that our babies grow up being good friends.

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Check out the rest of the Charactersin my life.

Potluck

It is Monday and time for all those unorganized thoughts, that aren't enough to be blog post by them selves to have a Potluck Party. Potluck is the brain child of TexasHolly of June cleaver Nirvana.
Last week here in the Gregory household, was a mash of overwhelming moments and happy moments. I need to remember that all these moments that we are living are all special even the ones where I want to pull out my hair. So now on to the Potluck.

How is the great job hunt 2010 going? Still nothing is looking promising, more resumes has been submitted. HE had one call last week that sounded promising and then quickly went the route of we don't have anything right now, but we love your resume please call us back in a month. So please keep praying for us about the great job hunt 2010.

What did the Toddler thief hide this week? Through out the week Ian is always up to mischief and mayhem but his greatest joy seems to be hiding things from me. Things that have disappeared my phone(still hasn't been located), Keys(still hasn't been located), Wallet(found), various pieces of jewelry(some have been located). These are just the things I have noticed.


Last week Lauren and I had a big adventure out with no babies to see the Deftones. Sadly cause of this our baby bff's did not get to hang with each other. Also thanks to Lauren my blog has a new improved look, we are still working out the kinks but it is getting there.


What random item did I find in my purse this week when I was out and about, I found an unopened container of puffs when I was out running errands with out my toddle thief in tow. I am not even sure how they got there.

Well I am all out of ideas at the moment.


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