A Day in the Life

The Talk

We've been avoiding the questions for months. 

Where do babies comes from?

How do babies get into the belly?

How do babies come out?

Why do our bodies change?

After months of side-stepping the topic, we realized it  was time to address the issue.

We followed Connor's lead after he started asking more questions this week.

I went to the gym and Mike and Connor headed to the library to get some age appropriate books.

And then they talked. Mike kept it simple. 

Needles to say Connor was a bit....surprised and shocked.

When I came home, Connor updated me on his new found knowledge and later told me "I feel sorry for you Nicolle...you know, the whole baby thing."

Then Connor shocked both of us with his next question: Do you mean to tell me you two have sex?

GULP.

Luckily, I had already poured myself some wine and Mike had a beer.

So, I guess you can say we all did some growing up this week. Mike and I took our next step in parenthood and we both realized our wonderful boy has started growing into a young man.

Like Mike said to me later that night; this won't be the last time we talk about this subject.

Another round please?!

Bread & Butter

Meet our newest tenants.

They are albino frogs, I call them naked frogs because you can see their organs.

Connor decided to name them Bread & Butter because they came together.

They have been with us for 4 weeks now and in those first weeks I've had to change their water and clean their tank 3 times.

Apparently, Connor and I were feeding them too many pellets and the food was "rotting" in the tank and our home smelled like slimy water (EEEK!)

You may recall the fish we had. Long story short, they were murdered. We won't name the suspect because he is under age and thought he was feeding the fish when he dumped the entire can of fish food in the tank (OOPS).

Needless to say all is well, our place doesn't smell like the Olentangy River and Bread & Butter look happy. We were told that they will get to be about 4 inches long and when they get bigger we will have to feed them small frozen shrimp-- at least they're not alive.

Connor is hinting that he wants a lizard. I told him that would be a GREAT thing to ask his mom for his birthday.

hee hee.

Four Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary to my best friend.

My rock.

My comedian.

My biggest fan.

The love of my life.

I can't wait to see what other adventures you and I will take together.

Happy Anniversary Babe.

Always & Foreverest

 

*photo taken by Amy Parrish

This is Why...

I love my husband.

Because he remembers the little things. Take a look at my beautiful flowers and card he got me to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of our first date (which was on June 6) .

Mike and I call it our "marathon date."

We started out with a simple dinner at Chammps then we went to go see Finding Nemo. After the movie we both didn't want to date to end, so we went back to Chammps for dessert. 

I remember we talked and talked. We just clicked.

Mike went to drop me off  and we ended up talking some more until 1 in the morning.

As Mike left, I asked him if I could kiss him good-bye and I planted a sweet little smooch on his cheek.

That's when my life started.

Mike says it was that night he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

So every year, he does a something special to celebrate the beginning of us.

If they can get along...

If a dog, cat and rat can get along, then why can't we?

You have to check out this great YouTube video. It just makes me smile.

Thanks to Angela for sending it my way.

Enjoy!

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Losing.My.Mind

As I mentioned before we are in the process of renovating Casa de Racey... well this project could use up the last working nerve.

I think Mike has heard me say this throughout the process: "I'm allergic to dumb people."
I really am and here is why:

We asked SEVERAL people a MILLION questions about what should be done first (painting, vanity install, floors) we got the same answer... painting, vanity then floors. We also asked about the stuff we ordered, would it change things, potential complications, etc.
So explain to me why on the third attempt by a second installer is the damn bathroom vanity still sitting in my kitchen? Because these morons didn't take into account the style of the vanity.

Here's the kicker; that means we could have scheduled the floors to be installed A MONTH AGO!!

Someone. Shoot. Me.

So now, the week of my birthday, Mike and I are bunking in the guest rooms in our condo complex (1950's style single bed...no baby making happening then), farming out Fergus to my in-laws while the floors get done (thanks Meema & Papa).

The reason we have to move out of our place while the floors are installed is because Mike and Connor are allergic to dust and mold.

I'm tired of living "in the meantime" clutter. Pictures are in piles throughout the condo, my guest room is now the "everything room," again. I hate not knowing where things are.

On the bright side, I know our little home will look great once its done. It's just getting there that's killing me. So God willing, by the end of this month we should be all DONE.

But untill then, pray for my sanity.

Pray that Mike can endure me losing my mind.

P.S. Here are the before pictures I initially promised:

A Special Mother's Day

It's obvious from looking at our faces that Connor is not my biological son but if you look at his heart and my heart, it will tell you a different story.

Connor brought me to tears with the gift he made for me this Mother's Day.
A potted plant with a personalized poem.

He kept it a secret and surprised me. Isn't it beautiful?!

Logically, I thought the gift was for his mom but he later corrected me and told me he made it especially for me.

That's when I started to cry.

My little plant and poem sit proudly on the dining room table. It reminds me that I am loved by this wonderful young man and I couldn't be any more grateful to have him in my life.

Four years ago (next month) I became a step-mom and I can honestly say it's one of the best blessings and responsibilties God has given me.

I am truly blessed.

So Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommas I know!

God bless!

Still Looking Good at 62!

Happy Birthday Mami!

What would we do without you sewing curtains and clothes for us, cooking soup when we're sick, making us laugh?

Tu muchachos te quieren mucho vieja!

You make 62 look muy bien!

Pardon Our Mess

After years and years of talking about making some improvements to our little casa- we're finally doing it!

Our extensive remodeling project started this week with the painters coming in. Mike and I chose the colors in all the rooms so it will be very colorful. Next up will be the new flooring throughout our place (laminate and carpet) and Connor's bathroom is getting a much needed new sink and countertop.

The only rooms not being painted are Connor's room and the guest room which will one day (God willing) be a nursery.

Mike and I have been talking about doing these improvements for quite some time but money and shear laziness were holding us back. So we put our ducks in a row to finance this makeover and hired people to do the work for us!

We're not do-it-yourself people.

Our couch has no seat cushions that is because Fergus got really excited to see Mike when he got home from work and peed on it (in the dog's defense I was about to take him out for a walk).

So instead of sinking money to patch up ANOTHER couch (our couch seems to be a magnet accidents from all creatures in our home) we decided to bite the bullet and get a new one. Love me some sales at Value City Furniture. The new couch is coming Monday.

I figure with the work that is left to be completed, our home will be in shambles for at least a month.

Currently, Mike is sleeping on a futon matress in the living room and I am sleeping in the guest room.
I miss snuggling up to him =(

Once our place is done, we plan on having a little fiesta to celebrate the finished product.

I hope to have some before pictures posted by the weekend.

UPDATE: Test your Movie Knowledge

***I've heard some recent grumbles that my movie choices are hard. Really?! I'm sorry about that, it wasn't on purpose to stump you all. I still haven't had Jane, the woman with movie super powers, to guess some of the movies. My sisters also haven't guessed (I know Marcie would get the last one. So without further ado, the answers are in CAPS and underlined.******

I am piggy-backing off of my girl Missy, you can test your movie knowledge by guessing where the following quotes come from.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.
6. Pick ONE you know and answer

So here are my 10 movies:

1. A long time ago, you took something from me, the only thing I ever truly wanted. Well... now you know how it feels.

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA.

2. On my command - unleash hell.

THE WALSHS GOT THIS ONE: GLADIATOR.

3. He's too young and he's too immature. She's a golddigger.
There's little or no gold to be dug. He's plenty old and people don't mature anymore. They stay jackasses all their lives.

SHE'S HAVING A BABY

4. Sure you didn't put booze in that?

Something better.

Perhaps you should give it to my daughter. Melt that chilly disposition of hers.

CHOCOLAT

5. I was wondering if... if I could ride you home, I - I mean if I could give you a ride home.

TRANSFORMERS

6. Leslie and I have an amazing relationship and it's very physical, he still pushes all my buttons. People say 'oh but he's so much older than you' and you know what, I'm the one having to push him away. We have so much in common, we both love soup and snow peas, we love the outdoors, and talking and not talking. We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about.

I KNEW MY SIS-ON-LAW MEGAN WOULD GET THIS! LOVE THIS MOVIE: BEST IN SHOW.

7. It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's what you do with your dancin' shoes.

MISSY-MISS GOT IT: GREASE.

8. She's got an awfully large chest to be goin' to church.

...all chests are equal in the eyes of the Lord.

TOM CRUISE AND NICOLE KIDMAN IN FAR AND AWAY

9. The gloves are off, God.", "God has taken my bird and my bush.", "God is a mean kid with a magnifying glass.", "Smite me, O Mighty Smiter." Now, I'm not big on blasphemy, but that last one made me laugh.

MEGGY GETS THIS ONE TOO: BRUCE ALMIGHTY

10. ...If I'm away from you for more than an hour, I can't stop thinking about you. I carry you in my spirit. I pray for you more than I pray for myself. I've got it so bad for you I'd... I'd go to the grocery store and buy your feminine products, I swear I would.

DIARIES OF A MAD, BLACK WOMAN