Jack at 16 months

Almost 17 months....and my favorite things about him right now...

1. If you ask him not to do something he thinks if he does it really slow you will not notice.

2. All the words he uses, please, hi, bye, more, yes, no, hug, up, mommy, daddy etc.

3. When he stops playing to come over and give you a hug and a giant slobbery kiss that sounds like hmmmmm uhhhh!

4. That he LOVES music and dances every time it comes on.

5. I love when he sleeps with his butt in the air. (I could not find an actual picture!)

6. This conversation: J: Waa Waa? Me: Oh you want some water? J: YAH (Hands him the water) Before he drinks it he goes Wa Wa! Wa Wa! With a huge smile, flapping his arms. Hugs the bottle, Waa Waaaaa. And then drinks it. And goes: "Mmmmmm"

7. That he seriously enjoys watching Ellen with me.

8. When I am driving and he asks for something, and I clarify, you want your apple juice? and he says yes so I reach back and hand it to him. He doesn't take it so I turn back to look and he is just shaking his head no smiling. Trickster.

9. I do enjoy that he is a monkey and climbs on everything, even though it scares me most days.

10. That he loves food.

11. When we go in public and he likes to be the center of attention. He will say Hi to so many random people and bring smiles to their faces!

12. That he loves to run away from me after his bath....

13. His favorite activity is rearranging my kitchen.

Jack's Blog

FCC. F

OK Thats it. Thats all he wrote. I wonder what it means? Its like the time he googled Pooppqk. I died. He googled poop! Hahahaha. I think this one says Fuck. He learned it from his dad...

Maybe he is interested in learning about he FCC?

Maybe he loves Fried Chicken? Hint: He does. (Also from his dad)

Maybe its FC sounders and he is going to be a soccer player.

Maybe its Find Christina's Comb, cuz he realizes I do not brush my hair?

Maybe I should ask him....

Me: Jack, what does your blog FCC.F mean?
Jack:  oooohhhiiiiduunnoooo...
Me: Do you know what it means?
Jack: Cha (Yes)
Me: What?
Jack: Nummy numm nummu

The End.

Just a normal day?

So...lets start with yesterday...I had scheduled myself and 2 others to do the holiday promo set at work. The paperwork said it should take 16 hours, so naturally, I schedule 26 hours. We STILL did not finish on time. There HAS to be a better way to send the product instead of 50 giant boxes that include 100 smaller boxes that include 1000 even smaller boxes. And none of which is organized. It was fun but it took forever. There is SO much cute stuff out this year! Anyways back to my day, so I end up getting to work at 10am and not getting home until after 10pm, which is normally fine except for a few things..
1. The sinus infection from hell I am currently battling.
2. The fact that I had to be at work at 4am the next day.
and 3. A combination of the first 2.

It was so impactful that on my drive home after the long day, I was in tears just by Mike telling me that he read his schedule wrong and he actually opens and Jack was going to have to go to Daycare that next day. I don't know.

Anyways I did not sleep at all! Between the coughing and trying to wind my brain down it just did not happen. So I got out of bed at 3:15, threw on the exact same clothes I wore to work the day before (clean underwear and socks though!), put the minimal amount of make up on, threw my hair up and ran out the door.

I was a little nervous to drive on Hwy 9 and Hwy 2 so early being so out of it. The first thing I see ahead is a single tail light swerving back and forth...and I was so confused. Was it a car with only one tail light? Why was it swerving? Could it be a motorcycle? No not in the pouring rain at 3:30am...  (This was way more profound in my tired, sick brain...) It was a motorcycle.

Next, I see a giant bird thing coming straight towards my car from the right side...I screamed a little. It was a giant owl. (I think). What is this? The freaking never ending story? Did an owl just dive bomb my car? Then I got over it by thinking about telling people at work about it and how none of them have probably even heard of The Never Ending story...Anyways still driving...

I end hitting every red light and getting to work 4 minutes early. I used those 4 minutes to quickly read the labels of Dayquil and Mucinex to see if I could take them at the same time. Very important.

Work was interesting. I tried to get as much done as possible and finish making sure the store looked Holiday Ready! For a good hour a felt like I could throw up at any minute..not sure if it was the drug reaction or lack of sleep or the piece of banana bread I inhaled but it sucked. I finally left work and raced to Jack's daycare to pick him up.

I got there about 30 minutes after nap time had started. Sucks!! I had to wake poor Jack up and he looked so scared but I hurried out of there hoping we could go home and finish his nap (and I could take one).

That did not happen. I laid down and Jack sat on the bed with me and played, jumped, talked, turned the TV on and off etc. I finally got up and gave him a snack and after a few hours of playing we decided to venture out in the rain to Fred Meyer, since he needed to bring rubber gloves to daycare tomorrow. As we pulled into our parking spot an SUV pulled up right beside us and the passenger and the driver both preceded to take a few hits off of a cute little purple bong and then go into Freddies. Awesome. Thank you Washington State for allowing this.

Now I sit here at 7pm, the exact time I was hoping to go to bed, with a plate of spaghetti in front of me, Jack eating his nilla wafers after dinner in his high chair and I am writing this. Focus Christina, god dammit. Go to bed! :) Alarm is going off at 3am again...I should shower this time.  :)

As it turns out..

I am not a good blog writer. If I could just think it and it would show up in a blog, I would be amazing. However, taking the time to sit down and type is not in the cards for me. I literally just do not have time. I wish I did. Here is my quick update!

1. Next week I am going to Houston for a Global Conference with Starbucks. I am pretty excited to learn new stuff and get to spend time with all my new peers!

2. Mike is having his gallbladder out on Friday. Boo. But then he gets 10 days off! (But I will be gone...see #1. :)

3. Jack can walk 4 steps. He is so cute. He can walk but is so lazy and stubborn I can rarely get him too. :)

4. Jack has been going to daycare now 2 times a week all month. He does not like getting dropped off but he does ok once he is there. I am secretly loving the days when I can come home from work, change my clothes, clean my house, grocery shop and then pick him up. It does not happen to often so I enjoy it when it does!

5. Yesterday Mike dropped off Jack at daycare with only one shoe on. hahahaha! :)

6. Jack is getting tooth #11 and #12. For some reason these ones are causing him to drool like no other! It is crazy how soaked his shirt gets. yuck!

7. My mom went back to work after being retired for a few years. It might be good for her to get out. She has a plan this year for hunting to shoot a bear. She wants a bear because she

"wants to stuff it standing up with his arm out holding a tray. A tray for something, I don't know what yet. Maybe a bottle of wine. That would be cute and we don't even drink wine. But something like that..."   Oh man...

(This is the elk she got 2 years ago....so it could happen I guess....)

8. Work is going well. I finally feel like I am getting more comfortable with my new job. Moving some people around and doing some hiring is helping. I love Starbucks and I will feel good at my job someday...hopefully in the near future. This week I am working 6 days and opening everyday. When that alarm goes off at 3:00am I die a little inside.

9. Jack and I went shopping last week and he got to build his first bear! He made a Star wars (trek?) (i dont know) Jedi bear.


10. I have to go pick up Jack now at from my sisters house.

Peace.

I drove all niiiight..

With my new job I am now driving to Monroe everyday. For me to get to Monroe it requires going to HWY 9 until US 2 to Monroe. (This may be common knowledge, but I had no idea where Monroe was when I signed up for this.)

This last week I got to experience the most 3am-5am trips to work yet. I think I just hate driving all together. I think I like highway driving better then the rush hour freeway or sitting in the north everett daily afternoon shit. But for the record the highway scares me so much!! It has no barricades, one lane both ways.

And just so you know there are 3 Don't Drink and Drive signs, in memory of. I think about them every time I drive by. I was day dreaming about when we will start seeing the Don't Text and Drive signs. Or maybe they are already around and I just have not seen them yet. But after 2 or so weeks of driving I finally noticed that one of the signs said: Don't Drug and Drive. I found that interesting. It seemed like the grammar was a little off, but I get it. Those signs just make me sad. And even more freak me out driving on US 2 at 3:30am. Oh and the nice sign that lets me know: (Currently) It has been 52 days since the last serious crash on the Highway. YAY! I secretly celebrate each day that goes up. :)

These are some of the things I have gotten to experience with this new drive:

1. 2 separate times random men walking on the side of Hwy 9. At 3:30am. Weird! and Scary. One of them was staggering the line.

2. One weekend they closed Hwy 9 so I got to take a detour which was a lot of dark, hilly, winding roads. I was not sure how long the detour was going to take me and I ended up getting to work 30 min early, which is not normally a big deal but I had to sit in the parking lot at 4am.

(Which speaking of, kind of off topic. The first time I opened by myself (as the key holder) with 2 baristas, I was in the back about to get the tills ready and I heard the baristas saying something. I went out there and there was a tweaker guy in a hooded sweatshirt with the hood on standing in our lobby. The barista said louder, "Oh we are not open yet" and he mumbled, "Well when do you open?" and she said "4:30" and then he mumbled, "well do you know what time it is?" and she said..whatever time it was. He finally left. I was like WHAT the hell!? Apparently she forget to fully turn the lock on the front door. Definitely a learning experience for me, like always make sure the barista locks the door. One of the next times I opened, this same tweaker was in our parking lot before we went in. He finally walked around the corner so we went to go in the building, but then he came back around and was asking us for 50 cents so he could make a phone call. I don't get this guy just hanging out at 4am. We finally found some change for him so he could leave and we could go in and get to work. An hour or so later he came in and went straight to the bathroom. When he came out there were 3 police officers ordering coffee. He immediately went to the pastry case and look around. I have never seen a tweaked tweak out so bad. He put his hands down his pants a few times, then in his front pockets, then his back pockets, then scratched his face and so on. I was dying. One of the cops was just staring at him the whole time too. Anyways he finally ordered 2 pastries and paid with a handful of change. At least my 50 cents went to a good cause, like my store's revenue! :)

Anyways....

3. The other weekend they closed a chunk of Hwy 2 and (unknowing to me) altered some lanes of Hwy 9 to make it less congested with all the extra traffic. As I am going straight thru my light in my normal lane, it all the sudden became a turn only lane and I almost hit the barricades. You better believe that I turned my turn signal the other way and patiently waited until someone let me in. :)

4. About 2-3 times a week I have to run a red light. Have to? You may ask. Yes, HAVE to. When I am trying to turn left from Hwy 9 to Hwy 2, in the wee hours of the morning, this light never turns green. I have tried everything! Reversing and trying again, going really slow up to the light, going fast, flashing my high beams, turning my wheels, inching forward etc etc etc. I end up just running it. Someday I will get pulled over. But until then....I am a law breaker.

And now I am sad to announce there was a fatality crash on Hwy 2 yesterday. (This is what happened when I take 2 weeks to actually finish a blog). Boo. Start over, 1 day since the last serious crash. And apparently the 53 days was almost a record anyways...

OK pay attention while driving people! And obviously don't drink and drive. Thanks!

15 epic cat photobombs

I don't know why this cracked me up. I don't even like cats really....  Enjoy!  :)


Check out 15 epic cat photobombs

IT's MY LIFE... (Bon Jovi style)...

I feel like I have not been working a lot lately. But then when I go to work, its so crazy that I feel like I need more time off! It has been an interesting transition leaving a job after 11 years and then starting with a new company, going through the training and then starting in my new role. Overall, it has been good. The challenging part is going from being the expert in everything to feeling like you know nothing. My first impression with Starbucks was that the people are amazing! I worked at 2 different stores and did not meet one person I didn't like. That has pretty much remained the same now that I am in my store (3rd store).  **I say "pretty much" because there are a few exceptions that I may get to later.

Anyways, back to my time OFF of work. Last week I had 2 days of only meetings, one was 2 hours long and one was 3. Nice. And I had 3 days off. Do the math, I worked 2 full days. It was great!

On Wednesday after my meeting, Jack and I went to swimming early and met my sister and her girls there. Jack was happy to play in the baby place (YAY!) while Nicole and I worked out. After that it was awesome to jump in the pool. Jack was the only boy there that day and I joked that was why he was so excited, happy and giddy, but really, he just loves swimming!

I had Thursday and Friday off, but now for the life of me, I can't remember what we did. I am sure it included a trip to Target and other misc. errands, then playing in the living room while watching quality TLC programing, playing in the basement with giant legos and building stuff and then going on hilly walks in the neighborhood. That sounds about right. Whatever it was, it was quality time with my son that I enjoy.

On Saturday, Jack got to spend the morning with Jen and they went to the new Everett Clinic in smokey point family fun day. It was so funny hearing her talk about how everyone just assumes Jack is theirs and when they correct people they either don't believe her or say, "You should just claim him because he is so cute." Then Jen and I (and Jack) went to Jamba Juiee and hung out outside chatting. Jack also threw my jamba juice on the ground and spilled it everywhere. :)  I am so lucky to have a friend like Jen who is an amazing auntie to Jack and I cannot cannot cannot wait until she has a baby! They will be such amazing parents.

Sunday was one of those days where I was kind of a cranky bear and looking back I should of more enjoyed the time I got to spend with my husband, since that time is few and far between. It included driving around forever and working on his boat. We also got to see his dad and stepmom as well as later that night we had dinner at the Outback with his Grandma and Mom, for his Grandma's 1 millionth birthday. It was a good time. Jack ate more at the outback then all of us and he sat in his highchair saying Hiiiiii to everyone who walked by and blew one random lady a kiss. It was freaking adorable. And even though we ran around all day and I was starving, it was great to have a day off together!

This week I had 3 days off again!! :) :) :)

On Wednesday I didn't make any plans just in case my sister needed me to watch the girls. She ended up not needing me, so Jack and I stayed home and did laundry and cleaned up the house. I also made homemade garlic mashed potatoes. Kind of random but I wanted to try it. Then we had our last swimming class of this session which made me sign up for the next one. It starts next week and as much as we kind of dread going, once we get there it is so fun and Jack loves it, so its for him! But I am still not a fan of wearing a swimsuit.  Nope.

Thursday Jack and I met Christina and her daughter Olivia at the Zoo. I was SO excited, Jack had never been to a zoo before. Olivia was born 1 week before Jack so they are very close in age and very cute together. They make the same funny, crazy noises and flirt with everyone who walks by. It was also fun to have some adult conversation with Christina, she is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Jack got to see giraffes (his favorite animal!) walking around and eating and he also got to see little penguins swimming under water. Overall it was a good time, minus the awful headache I had all day. I am thinking about getting the zoo membership for next year because (if I actually use it) it will be a fun place to go on days off as Jack gets older!

Friday was a weird day. I debated going to the fair but eventually decided eating a deep fried twinkie would not balance the terrible traffic, hot weather, crowds and cow poop. Jack and I got up early and went to Target (surprise), brought Mike coffee and breakfast at work and then drove around looking for garage sales. Well, I looked for garage sales and Jack slept. The sales were a bust. I am also not a good garage sale shopper because if I drive by and don't spot anything interesting I don't even stop. I really just want some outdoor toys for Jack and was looking for bookshelf or organizational stuff for my sister. Anyways..we spent the rest of the day at home playing and now Jack is growling at me and has a poopy diaper. You know what that means....

It's the little things...

Sometimes you hear a story or watch a show about something that is a true story that sticks with you. If you are pregnant or thinking about being pregnant, don't read this blog. I know that just by saying that, no one is going to stop reading, but it was my fair warning.

Recently I read on Facebook about a guy I used to work with and his wife, who were expecting a baby girl. At 41 weeks she went into labor and baby Aisley was born but never took her first breath.

I am consumed by this.

First, sadness for M and Loni. I have only met him once or twice and I have never met his wife. After having a child recently I can only imagine going through what they are experiencing. I tear up just thinking about what happened that day, or the feeling the next day,  and week(s). Or last Sunday when they met at a park at sunset to remember their baby girl.

Second, I just want to know why. M posted ultrasound pics from 2 days before the birth that showed a healthy baby girl with a healthy heartbeat. I do not understand why or how this could happen. Is there anything the Doctor or Nurses could of done to prevent this?

Loni has a blog called "A girl named Kevin" that I can't stop reading. She does not understand why people keep telling her she is brave and strong. She is. I think it is because most people can not even fathom going through the experience that she is and they are just amazed at her ability to cope. Her blog talks about the birth, what happened, her feelings, her thoughts. I just want to jump through the computer and give her a hug.

They started a fund to help pay for Aisley's funeral and medical costs. I had to donate. Even though money is not going to help the emotional side of it, it will hopefully help eliminate some of the financial stress.

I felt the need to write about this because I can't stop thinking about it and them. I have always felt that terrible things happen to good people because they are strong enough to handle it and they will share their story with others to create a circle of support, teaching and learning. I think M and Loni are a perfect example of this and I wish them nothing more then the best and happiness for their future.

agirlnamedkevin.blogspot.com

https://secure.piryx.com/donate/OMejTT4s/Aisley-Evelyn-s-Fund/

The outlet mall experience.

Today I went to the outlet mall and got attacked by a female security guard zooming around on a segway. I think it was kind of karma since I was laughing to myself when I first saw her zooming around the parking lot. After she circled my car a few times and I went to get out, she zoomed right over to me. She said: "Are you an employee?" And as I was starting to say "No..." She said "Never mind, I see kids in the car! Sorry!" And zoomed away. It cracked me up for the rest of my shopping trip. All I could think about was the movie Mall Cop and I had never seen a security guard there before. But it is also weird that they are paying someone to drive around just to make sure employees are not parking in the lot.

Before that even happened, I thought I had made a mistake going to the outlet mall. 9.9 times out of 10 it is a mistake. The thing that tipped me off this time was the giant family of asian canadians that were walking blocking the entire road. ugh. I should make a list for these type of people for appropriate shopping behaviors at the outlet mall... It would go something like this:

1. In the parking lot, there are nice white lines. These are to label spots to park your car. Park in these and nowhere else that is not lined.

2. When walking in the parking lot, be aware of other large motor vehicles attempting to park, it is in your best interest to move to the side to allow them through.

3. When driving in the parking lot, be aware of the pedestrians (these are people) walking to and from their cars. Do not hit them.

4. Those signs that say no smoking near doors/entrances. Those are not jokes.

5. If you would like to stop and have a conversation, please step aside and allow all the other shoppers to pass by.

6. When inside a store, there is a usually a line to pay. Please be aware of this and stand in the appropriate line.

7. No, you cannot have a discount.

8. Please be aware of personal bubbles. If you are next to me or behind me, it is common courtesy to stand 1-2 steps back.

9. When shopping with your entire extended family, please make room for the other people that would like to shop.

10. Please teach your children all of these rules.

Thank you and keep spending your money here.

The least fun....

I want to preface this by saying I love my sister and her family. She is supermom and has been a huge help to me since I had Jackson. With that being said, by the definition of "fun" today was probably the least fun I could ever have... :)

I worked at 7am this morning, which meant I left my house at 6:10am after rolling the icky garbage cans to the street, that may or may not even be picked up due the the strike. hmm.

I left work about 15 min late and as I was driving on US 2 I called my sister to see if I had time to swing by my house to bring her some stuff on my way to come get Jack. I then find out that Mia is not feeling well and needs to go to the doctor which is in Mukilteo and 4:45 was her only appt. We decided that I could not get all the way to Nicole's house in time for her to make it, so I agreed to meet her there.

Once we got in the doctor's office they took Mia back and Nicole went as well. That left me in the waiting room with Mirage, Monae and Jack. First of all, I get a little anxiety being in a medical waiting room of any sort. I just feel like there are germs everywhere and poor little Jack just wants to crawl around. No thank you. Jack and Monae have mine and my sister's Starbucks plastic cups filled with water (you know the ones that were made to look like Starbucks cold drinks with the straws?).  So, needless to say they spilled water everywhere. Then a crotchedy old woman is in the waiting room, of course, why would one not come in? She was doing that thing where you read a book and rest your head on your hand but only so you can plug one ear. Yep. That. So my next hour went like this.....

Monae dont stand on the chair, sit on your bottom
Mirage, can you stop galloping in circles?
Lets go look at the fish!!
Jack crawls away. Go pick him back up.
No Monae, we are not leaving yet, come back.
Mirage, dont yell at the babies
LOOK at this Book!!!!
No, don't fight over the book.
Jack, please don't chew on the book.
OOh this toy makes noise, look here!!
OK mirage too loud.
Monae can you sit on your bottom please
Ugh, I just sat in water.
Jack crawls away.
Monae please dont play in my purse.
Jack struggling to get out of my arms.
No Monae, thats my wallet.
Mirage, please stop running in circles.
Yes, Receptionist, I wish I had her energy too, (Fake Smile)
Monae, stay in the room please
Jack here is a binky, no more fingers in mouth (Yuck)
Lets look at the FISH!! Can you say FISHY!?!
Monae please stop playing in your diaper bag.
No, lets wait till your mom is back to eat crackers.
**Nicole and Mia come into the waiting room and go into the restroom
**clouds part and angels sing
**YYYAAAYYY!!
They come out and go straight back to the doctor's office.
Oh snap.
Monae, please sit on your bottom
Jack crawls away.
Lets look at the fish!!!
Mirage: "No MO MO you cant have a cracker"
Mirage precedes to take the crackers and run around the waiting room while Monae chases her screaming.
Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.....

After the 3rd time my sister made her appearance in the waiting room and Monae was having a cracker meltdown, Nicole offered to have the girls come back to the Doctor's office so I could get Jack home for dinner. Then I preceded to sit in my favorite north Everett to Marysville traffic, drive all the way to Smokey Point to drive thru Taco Time to bring Mike lunch since he was stuck at work and then finally make it home almost exactly 13 hours since I had left this morning.

(And when I read this to Nicole, after she was done laughing her butt off, she reminded me that I just described every minute of her life. Further demonstrating her title of supermom, as well as making me reconsider ever having more kids!) Just Kidding.

Maybe.

Jackson's Birth

Even though it has been a year..I still remember it like it was yesterday. And it is time to get it down on paper so I remember it forever!

My due date was June 28th. I told everyone June 27th because that was my sister's birthday and easy to remember. And it made for good conversation with all the random strangers that talk to you just because you are giant pregnant!

On Saturday June 25th I went to work at 6:30am for our all store meeting. I got to present my favorite part: Recognition! A few people made jokes about all the yelling and cheering would put me into labor and I kept my same joke of "I HOPE I don't see you tomorrow!" (Because I am in labor!) I half followed the doctors orders..I did not follow his orders because I was still working, I did follow his orders and walk walk walk! I figured if I was going to be walking, I would just get paid to walk and sales lead at work! Around 4:30pm I decided it was time to go home because I was exhausted!

Mike got home shortly after me and I was already laying down for a nap, we both slept for an hour or so and then I decided to get up. I went into the hallway bathroom because I felt something on my chin and I wanted to see what it was. As I leaned to look in the mirror....I thought I had peed my pants. That was the first time anything like that had happened during my pregnancy and I was totally caught off guard! I remember people saying that if its your water breaking it just keeps dripping but if you pee your pants it stops, so I decided to take my pants off and just stand there. Drip, drip, drip, sure enough it was my water breaking! I called for Mike who was still sleeping and he finally heard me,
"What!?"
"Umm I think my water just broke..."
"Are you sure?"
As he walks into the bathroom and sees the puddle of water on the bamboo floor mat in the bathroom.
"Ohhhhhh...." He says.
Hmmm what were we supposed to do we discussed. I could not remember. I still had not had any contractions. We decided Mike would take a shower and I would go find a baby book and look up how soon you go to the hospital when your water breaks. :)

About an hour later the contractions were slowly starting so we decided to head in. We went down to Providence in Everett and waiting in the waiting area for Labor and Delivery check in for 30 minutes of so. Once we got called back they checked to make sure I was actually in labor. During that time I felt like it was 1 million degrees!  I was sweating like a pig and really starting to feel the contractions. I went from not really caring about an epidural as a laid on that bed to riding the elevator up to my room 2 hours later to be checked in, saying "Yes Please!"

At that point I let Mike start sending the texts that I was in labor! Soon enough, my Dad and my sister showed up as well as Mike's mom and Karen. I was in quite a bit of pain when the anesthesiologist came in. Every time I have seen someone get an epidural in movies or a Baby Story or whatever its like a few minute process. Well, after they got me sat up, my back all sanitized and he started the needles, 1 1/2 hours later he was STILL trying. He would take breaks and have small talk, which I was not into. I am sorry, I can barely open my eyes because of the pain and you want to talk about the post office in Marysville!?
(For the record, I hate the post office in Marysville. Everyone that goes there is too lazy to park on the side of the building so they also wait for parking spots and end up blocking State Street and then people are honking or rear ending each other. And IF I end up going there anyway, there is always some smelly person that stands way to close to me in the long line. Ugh!)

So needless to say, that is the last thing I want to hear about at this point. He decides he would like to let the other anesthesiologist take a try to getting the epidural in since he was not successful. It was a great idea, except for the fact she was in a C-section down the hall and I had to stay sitting up off the bed until she was done since my back was all ready and sanitized. Anyways an hour or so later she comes in with a halo over her head, rubs my shoulders for a minute and gets the needle in on the first try!

At that point my eyes were barely opening and I was not even speaking during the contractions. Mike asked if the family could come in the room and I just rolled my eyes, gave him a dirty look and shook my head no. They were going to check my dilation since I could lay down again so Mike went out to update the family. By the time Mike came back I was feeling GOOD!! He walked in and I waved and said "Hiiii!!" He stopped and quietly said "Do you think the family could come in now?" This time I said "SURE!"

I heart the epidural. I found out that I was already 8 cm dilated and fully effaced. Just hanging out....

After a little while they decided to let me start pushing. After an hour or so of pushing they said I could "labor down." I did not know what that was but it turned out to be the best thing ever. I could just lay on my side and sleep. Wahooo! It was pretty much my favorite thing ever.

After an hour or so of that I got to push again. After pushing for quite awhile the doctor asked me if I wanted to rest and I said NO! And pushed that baby right out!

The first thing I heard besides Jack's scream was the doctor and nurses saying "WOW look at those feet! And those hands! You are going to be a big boy!!"

I was right...

My original plan was to write something everyday...and that has not happened. Life is just SO busy. I barely have time to keep up on the laundry and dishes.

So this week is interesting since Mike is going to be in Minnesota! Ahh single mom life again! (Only for a week at a time!)

The week has been fun! It started on Sunday with a 6-2:30 shift. My LAST week training. I came home to an empty house because Mike was looking at a boat with his dad. The best part is that they were looking at a boat that his dad might want to buy and might want to store it at our house, it turned into a boat that Mike and his dad bought together! I am exciting that Mike finally has his fishing boat that he has wanted for so long! They came home just long enough for me to run outside and jump in the truck. Jack was so excited to see me, he was smiling and cheering and flapping his arms! I looked back and said "How was your day?" and he said "Good!" Mike and I just burst out laughing! Did he just say Good!?! I looked back and he was smiling and playing with his bare foot...uh my baby is growing up!

We then headed to Jen and Mike's for a BBQ. SO FUN!! We had beer brats, oysters and delicious salads. Jack ate so much that he spit up on his shirt. Then he pooped and he was just a hot mess. We are so lucky to have such great friends! Good times!

Monday was uneventful. Mike flew to Minnesota. I worked 7-3:30. I almost peed my pants on the way home. One of these days I will realize that drinking coffee all day and then sitting in traffic on the way home doesn't mix. Picked up Jack from April's and missed swimming lessons. :(

Tuesday! I was supposed to be going to corporate for a training but I found out Monday that it got rescheduled for September. I went to work at 8 after dropping Jack with my sister. It was my last day with Tereasa, who I had been training with for the last 2 months. She brought me flowers and a card, Adorable! I found out my district manager was coming in to meet with me...great..I would of done my hair! (One time we had a huge visit at the store I am training at and before they got there the district manager (a different one) asked Tereasa if she was going to brush her hair! I almost died!) I had a good meeting with him, first time we had talked since my training started. AND he told me where I was going! Monroe Drive thru! Apparently it is a VERY busy store. :) Exciting! and Scary! AND finally 1 million people a day can not ask me if I know where I am going! I ended up leaving a little early that day and picked up Jack who was with my dad at my sister's house. He had a nice black eye after falling on the hardwood floors! Not the first and definitely not the last!

Wednesday was my day off! Wohooo! First Jack and I went on a secret stalking mission to check out my new store! Mainly to find out where it is...umm Monroe is waayy the hell out there! Second...as I had heard, that store is busy!! It has one of those never ending drive thru lines behind a building! There were 4 cars before me that had not ordered and 3 more behind me! I was super impressed though how fast it moved! (YAY) One thing I have realized though now that Jack is front facing in my car (Yes I know, he is not 2 yet). I can't just stop and get a snack without him seeing, and he yells!! I had to wait until he fell asleep to eat my breakfast...After a quick trip to Best Buy to drop off a baby gift, we went home for lunch. We then met up with my sister and girls at Kids-n-us in Smokey Point to tour their childcare center. I have been toying with the idea of putting Jack into daycare for a few days a week for 1. Socialization 2. My sanity of not having to find childcare every week and 3. For my family and friends that have been watching him each week. I liked the daycare and am still trying to discuss it with the husband. Then Jack had his last swimming lesson of the session. It is super fun! His little friend Isaac is in his class which means I get to chat it up with his mom, Wendy! :)

Thursday: WORK! My first full day at the Drive thru store, Cedar Plaza. I actually thought drive thru was super fun. You get to see and talk to so many different people. It makes your day go by so fast and its entertaining! After work I picked Jack up from April and we (and her mom) all went out for mexican food. Sooo good and I was starving, so I inhaled it. By the time I got home I had a full blown cold. WTF!? Awesome. Mike got home around 9:30pm and woke Jack and I up. YAY! He is HOME!!! But then I took some nyquil and went back to bed. :)

Friday: DAY OFF!! Met up with Jen at Starbucks and then we walked around Target for awhile with Jack. All I bought was a toy guitar for Jack, which is unusual for me. Then I spent the rest of the day, home sick, playing with Jack.

Saturday: My last day at the Hwy 99 and 200th Starbucks! I brought treats for them as a THANK YOU for letting me come train at their store (not that most of them had a choice!) But for being so nice and welcoming for my first Starbucks experience. Worked 6-2:30, sat in the back all day doing a food manager online certification. Boring!! That store was awesome and I am going to miss everyone there, but I am excited for what's next!! That evening we took a family trip to Cabelas to look at stuff for the new boat and picked up some propane so we could grill steaks! Yummm.

The end! :)

Maybe I will blog...

Oh hi...I decided that there are too many funny things in my brain that do not get shared. The book I am "writing" is still notes on my computer. I never update my Facebook status. I rarely return phone calls. I don't know how to listen to my voicemail. And somehow I think I will keep up on a blog. I guess we will see.

Today my life is crazy. Lets go waaayyy back...in the last 2 years I have experienced life as a "cancer caregiver," planned a wedding in 5 months, got married, got pregnant, had an adorable baby boy, changed jobs at Best Buy 3 times, quit my job at Best Buy after 11 years and started a new job as a store manager at Starbucks.

The move to Starbucks will be a good one. Much better for work life balance. I just have to get though the training schedule...2 weeks left!! The end goal is to not have to leave Jack with people for 8-10 hours a day. We have some amazing people on our life that watch him for us so he does not go to daycare but I did not have a child for someone else to raise him. This new schedule will allow me to spend more time with him, as well as my husband, Mike.

Last June, Jackson James was born. June 26th at 5:59am. He was 8lbs and 6oz. 21 in long. I could never have imagined how he would change my life. He is perfect! I will write a separate blog about his birth.

We bought our house 3 years ago and finally just put a backyard in 2 weeks ago. The first summer we spent all our money on moving expenses, a fence, furnishing our house etc, the second summer was "Cancer" summer so nothing got done and the 3rd summer we Jackson summer so nothing got done. :)

Speaking of...Mike and I met working at the Everett store back in 2005, we had some mutual friends at the store that introduced us. Mike told me that he would never live with a girl, get married or have kids. That didn't scare me. We started dating in Feb 2006, moved in together in 2008, bought our house in 2009, got married in 2010 and had our first child in 2011.

Blog writing is going to be hard for me because I have rapid thought patterns. My roommates and I diagnosed this back in college...I had rapid thought patterns because I could not stay on a topic long enough to make sense and I always changed the subject. Katie had rapid body movements because she would move all the time and karate chop and just be weird and Deidre had rapid something that I can't remember.

Well I should go to bed...I was up at 5:30am for work but I close tomorrow so I am still up. Jack has been asleep since 8:30pm so he will spare me no mercy and wake up at the butt crack of dawn regardless of what time I go to sleep. OH and I have to finish my laundry AND watch Hell's Kitchen and Master Chef AND eat some ice cream cake. You know, the important things.