I should have listened...

...to myself.

I have always wanted a cute pair of white capris or shorts. I am sure I owned some when I was a kid, but in my adult life I have never worn any. Partly because I couldn't find that perfect style and partly because I worried that, knowing my clumsy self, I would stain them shortly after putting them on. While on vacation in Utah, I found my perfect pair of white bermuda shorts. At Old Navy, of all places! I have been home over a month now, but had not even attempted to wear my cute shorts because of my stainage fear. Well, I decided to finally go for it yesterday. It was a slow moving day, and I didn't end up getting ready for the day until around noon. My plans for the day involved going to the mall with my Aunt and Dylan. So, I figured 'Hey, I surely cannot ruin these shorts by walking around the mall.' I pulled those shorts on with a little bit of excitement (lame that is all it takes, I know). It was only 20 minutes before we were going to leave. It took me about 10 minutes to decide on a shirt, 5 minutes to put Dylan's clothes on and with 5 minutes to go, I needed to use the restroom. As I walked to the sink to wash my hands, I see something in the mirror. Look down at my shorts and to my disdain, there is a huge, green stain on the front of my left leg. Noooooooooooooo! I have no clue where that stupid stain came from. I treated and washed them immediately and that stupid green is still there. I knew I shouldn't have bought white shorts!

Another short story for you. Dylan has had exactly 4 big kid pukes in his life. First time was last Halloween. He ate pizza and macaroni for dinner. Second time was in February shortly after he moved into a big kid bed and I had, just that day, put his new surfer quilt on his bed. He ate macaroni for dinner. Third time was just last month when my parents were babysitting him. My mom fed him macaroni and hot dogs for dinner. Now I must tell you that Dylan is the pickiest eater I have ever seen in my life. His meal rotation includes quesadillas, grilled cheese, crackers & cheese, and macaroni. That's it folks...that is all he will eat...for meals (snacks are a different story). In the past month, I have tried to feed him macaroni once or twice and he hasn't eaten more than one bite. Last night I cooked up some of that tasty mac & cheese and the kid actually ate an entire bowl. All was well. We went through our normal bedtime routine and I was at the part where I sing to him. He thought one particular song (This Old Man...) was funny, so he sat up on the bed and was laughing at me. Next thing I know, he starts heaving. Next thing I know, he is spewing mac & cheese chunks all over his quilt. Luckily Mike had just walked in the door from work and helped with the clean-up. Obviously, the constant in every single pukefest is the Mac & Cheese. So, that is now going out of rotation. I had told myself that before, but Dylan is so picky I didn't know what else to feed him. What the crap is my child going to eat?

All Things Two...

When I first found out I was pregnant with Dylan, I had this grand idea to keep a journal of my entire pregnancy. Then when that didn't happen, I had the same grand idea to keep a journal of all the happenings in Dylan's life. Alas, this did not happen either. I am forever coming up with these grand ideas, but they remain just that...ideas. I suppose this blog is used to record some events that occur in our lives, but I am quickly forgetting all the fun day to day stuff that happens in Elkington land. Or should I say, Dylan land? Because honestly, Mike and I are pretty boring people still trying to make the switch from college student to adult. So, here is my attempt to bring one of my grand ideas to fruition...make a record of the daily things Dylan says and does. He is growing up so quickly and I am so sad that he is not a baby anymore. This two stage is so freaking frustrating, but it is also my favorite stage so far. This kid is hilarious!

Scenario 1: I always lay down with Dylan in his bed at night. It seems to help calm him down and we can talk about what we did that day. His newest add on to our bedtime routine always cracks me up. It started with a simple back scratch while we talked about our day. He has now added a scratch to several other body parts. After scratching his back, I must scratch (in no particular order) his arm, fingers, palm, nose, belly, chin, nose, eyes, hair, forehead and as of last night, neck.

Scenario 2: "Mommy, be a horsey!" Anytime I kneel down, Dylan is immediately jumping on my back. Occasionally I get knocked over and then it's time for "Suuuuferman".

Scenario 3: Dylan eating a banana. Takes too big a bite and with banana mushed up in his mouth "Mommy, I dun ike it". At which point, I immediately need to produce a trash can or hand or paper towel for him to spit the mush into. If nothing is available, it lands where ever.

Scenario 4: Dylan, "Daddy's at work." Me, "Yes Dylan, Daddy is working." Dylan, "Daddy makin' moooonnney!"

Scenario 5: Tale of the Mighty Knights (Backyardigans)...over and over and over and over and over...you get the gist.

Scenario 6: It's hot outside, the humidity is bordering on unbearable. No matter what the air conditioning is set at, the humidity manages to invade the house. What is Dylan wearing? A diaper and a zip up hooded sweatshirt (or as he likes to call it, jacket). Try to take it off and you will hear a tantrum like you've never heard before.

Becoming a local

Every Sunday on our way to church we pass by a big strawberry field where locals can go to pick their own. All winter I was so excited for Spring so that I could take Dylan strawberry pickin'. The place has been open for a few weeks now and we finally had the opportunity to go this past week. I thought Dylan would absolutely love it. Apparently mother does not know best. All he wanted to do was run up and down the aisles or through the big open field out onto the country highway. It took all of five minutes for him to start whining. I had to bribe him with the idea of ice cream once the bucket was full. So much for my fun ideas. Luckily we took our friends Renee and David along for the fun and it made the outing much more bearable.

When we first arrived, Dylan was excited to carry the bucket and look for big, red goodies.

After that, I did all the work.

Best Buddies. These two love each other and it is so cute to watch them have fun.

Chocolate ice cream ended our outing. Yum! Afterward, we went home and made some freezer jam. I'm working hard at this whole domestic diva thing.

Etsy

My sister, Kathleen, does awesome necklace beadwork. She just started a website to sell them on etsy.

Check her out...they make great gifts and I always get compliments when I wear the ones she has made for me.

www.KitKat87.etsy.com

Mother's Day Weekend

We had a great Mother's Day weekend. Mike's parents came to town for a couple days and we had a wonderful and relaxing visit with them.

I love being a Mom more than anything in the world. Dylan tries my patience at times (especially when he won't sleep), but this little guy is the light of my life. I love getting to spend every day with him, watching him learn and grow. I hope and pray that he is picking up the good things I do and that the not so good are passing right by him. Hmmm, from the above picture it would appear that he has my lack of patience. Oh well, a girl can dream.

He really did not want his picture taken, so I had to get them when he wasn't looking.

Michael and his Mom. Neither of them like having their picture taken, but they were both surprisingly good sports about this one.

Dylan has really come out of his separation anxiety the past few months. It was so much fun to see him finally having a good time with Grandpa and Grandma K. Grandma K played with him non-stop the entire time they were here. I think Dylan is going through some withdrawals because Mommy is not quite so attentive.

Small Discovery

Things have been rather busy since my return from Utah. We have had company non-stop, the last of which left Sunday afternoon. I usually have to shift a few things around when we have people staying with us. One thing that always has to happen is that Dylan takes his bath in our Master bathroom instead of the one upstairs by his bedroom. I am ready to really start figuring out this photography thing and have been searching my house for places with the best natural light. While giving Dylan a bath one evening last week, I realized that the huge window over the bathtub lets in tons of afternoon sunshine. It is the perfect place for taking pictures inside my house!
Love this cute, wet face!