Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday

Good Saturday morning, blogosphere friends!

It's another home improvement weekend at Chez Mullins, and B and I are both busy on separate projects while Baby B snoozles. B is painting the casing around the door, which means that the glass front door will be hung this weekend. Halleluia, praise the Lord! I never thought the day would come. Said door has been leaning against the wall in our dining room for several weeks now, and we're excited to finally see this project completed. Well, it's not complete yet, but I assure you that it will be. I hope. Now I'm doubting myself....er, my husband...ummm, IT WILL BE COMPLETED!!!!! There, that's the spirit! Let's hope the power of positive thinking and the help of my father-in-law will come through!

Meanwhile, I'm working on bee-yoo-tifying the most ugly kitchen in the creation of mankind. It. Is. Heinous. We're talking Harvest Gold range, speckled laminate flooring, and curtains that have made an honest attempt at pulling it all together, but have ultimately failed. (According to B, at least. I thought they were cute when I bought them. But cute just isn't cutting it anymore.) And since we're not quite ready to do a complete kitchen remodel (hopefully in the next year), I'm trying to Live With It - my new motto. This means I'm not painting and I'm not buying any new accessories. I am only allowed to "shop the house," as The Nester calls is, for items that already exist in our decorating repetoire.

Don't worry, I'm getting to the pictures. Our microwave used to be housed on a black, plasticky shelving unit with a wooden top that Leland somehow managed to gnaw on. (I'm really not sure how since it several inches taller than her, but she did.) It also contained the toaster and some cookbooks. It sat against the wall opposite of all our kitchen appliances and sink. (We REALLY lack for space, storage, and countertop in our kitchen, but I'm trying to LWI!). Anyway, here's the pics of my latest decorating attempts...

Whatcha think? Now, remember, I'm not the best decorator by any stretch of the imagination, but it doesn't look that bad, right? The frames were laying around are house. Don't you recognize the people in the pics? Oh, me neither. Totally need to replace those... Several items are from my last trip to the thrift store. The magnetic picture holder thingamajig is from IKEA. And, my favorite piece - the white drawered cabinet - is from...da da da...my neighbor's garbage! Totally serious! And, to make it even better, I heisted it when I was nine months pregnant. Literally drove my SUV three houses up, and loaded that sucker right in the back! You're impressed, right?

So, after looking at the pics, I wish the walls were painted, but I'm going to LWI. It'll do for now.

Thank Heavens it's only 12noon on Saturday, which means we're still at the very beginning of a three-day weekend. Amen!

What're you doing this weekend???

Hi, my name is Abby and I'm an addict...

So, on my way to school yesterday I realized - gasp - I forgot to bring my favorite caffeinated beverage from home. And, since I cannot walk around school with a continuous drip IV of this fine, stimulating liquid trailing me around, nor could I suffer Diet Coke withdrawals while spending time with 23 demanding kindergarteners, I decided a detour was necessary.

Since I was in the process of taking Baby B to meet up with my mom, and McDonald's is on the way and I had $1.05 in cash (this is a rarity as I am a debit card queen) I decided to make a very necessary pit-stop. I check the clock and it reads 7:40am - 10 minutes before I'm due to drop him off, so I figure this is totally a feasible task. I can satisfy my craving (I'm practically salivating just thinking about it - totally a sign of an addict), and still make it on time for Baby B to be picked up. And, I can see from where I'm positioned in traffic, that there is NO LINE at the drive-thru. Perfect.

I switch my blinker on and just as I'm feet away from turning into MD's the IDIOT in front of me stops. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! He, too, has his blinker on, and I assume that he's turning into MD's also. But, OH NO, he proceeds to let one, two, three cars turn in front of him - he waves them in as I am gripping the steering wheel tighter and tighter wondering why he is giving up his first place position in the drive-thru line to THREE other cars. IS HE CRAZY? Can he not telepathically sense that Diet Coke fiend behind him needs her fix and SERIOUSLY MIGHT CONSIDER love-tapping his car if her infant son wasn't in the back seat in order to speed up this process? I am restraining myself from laying on the horn, literally.

Shoo, just writing that gets my blood boiling.

So, then, now that I am thinking that I am CAR NUMBER FIVE in the drive-thru line and it is now 7:41am, the IDIOT goes straight. HE DOESN'T EVEN TURN INTO MD'S. Omigoshthenerve. No wonder he had NO PROBLEM letting THREE CARS go in front of ME. ME, ME, ME!

So, I do what any self-respecting Diet Coke connoisseur would do. I sucked it up and waited the NINE WHOLE MINUTES it took for the bozos in front of me to get their McBagels, McJuice, and McBiscuit sandwiches when all that I wanted was ONE DIET COKE.

If they were in kindergarten, I totally would have cutted them.

Oh, and I met up with my mom one whole minute late too. Arrrgghhh...

And, just to tide you over til I can post about His Most Adorableness again, here is the boy child a whole 2 months old. Love him.

I USED A LOT OF CAPITALIZATION IN THIS POST. SORRY.

Oh No!

Such a talker, that Baby B! While he may not look a darn thing like me, we all know who he got his talk-a-tivity from ;)

Aren't the two of them darling? B is such a good dad.

No Soup for You!

We have noticed a striking resemblence between Baby B and a Seinfeld favorite...

Monday at the Mullins

Baby B has a cold. Oh, he his so pitiful - all coughing and sniffly and such. Which, of course, makes me feel like an awful mother considering I am probably the bearer of bad germs. It's all those kindergarteners, I tell you, germing it up all around me. Thus, we went to visit the doctor today, who confirmed that, yes, he has a bad cold and it could last 1-2 weeks. Ick, ick, and double ick. Do you know how much fun it is to stick a bulb syringe up the nose of your most favorite person in the world (besides B, of course)? It. Is. MISERABLE. Talk about feeling like a bad mom. I feel terrible doing it, but the doctor says that's what must be done. So, I guess I'm going to be a snot-sucker-extraordinaire until he's all better. Nevertheless, we came home from the doctor, put on our p-jammies and have been happily cuddling on the couch ever since we returned. There's nothing like holding a snoozling baby. Sigh. It's then that there's peace on earth.

In other news, my latest project is pasta dying. How fun is that? It's for the sorting center for my kindergarteners. And it's super-cheap too. Food coloring, bottles of rubbing alcohol, various pasta shapes, and - ta da - multi-colored pasta! (Obviously NOT for eating once dyed.)

Also, who saw my child's namesake at the Olympic Closing Ceremony last night? SO COOL. And, he's not bad to stare at either ;) I, personally, am kind of glad the Olympics are over. After Phelps won his 8 medals and the gymnastics portion was complete I was pretty much over it. Okay, well, the amazing running Jamaican was pretty cool too. I'm just really looking forward to regularly scheduled programming, like the 11-0-clock news, for instance. I was going through Derek Beasley withdrawals.

Welp, back to snoozling with my Lil Bear. Have a great Monday!

Can I get an AMEN?!

The house is clean. I mean, I certainly wouldn't eat off of the floors or anything, but you could totally wash your hands in the kitchen sink without bumping them against bottles or dinner dishes anymore.

We spent all day cleaning, I think. Literally, 7am-7pm. Well, I may have taken some time out during the day to blog stalk, and B managed an hour nap while Aubs was visiting, but other than that we were seriously cleaning machines. And once I got started, I was able to realize that this was a feat we could actually accomplish even with a wee one at home. Baby B took some good naps, too, and that always helps. I was even in such good spirits while cleaning the kitchen that I told B to let Leland out to roam the house for a little while. (This was a major treat for Leland who, due to unmanageable shedding, has been prohibited from so much as sneezing in the direction of my carpet for fear that she would lose her entire coat while perusing the house. Wait until I tell you about the Furminator - another post, though!)

It was actually quite funny to watch her lurk around Baby B's downstairs bedroom (yes, Baby B has TWO bedrooms in order to accomodate all of his baby must-haves). He was snoozing in his pack-n-play, and though she couldn't see him, she could totally smell that he was in the room and circled his things multiple times before sniffing the pack-n-play intently.

Here's what she would have seen if she'd found him. Awwwwwww.

Baby B was 8 weeks old yesterday. Shocking. Be little forever, little guy. Don't grow up. Ever. Ugh, he's so stinkin' cute I could just make an ice cream cone out of him and eat him up. So sweet. He's recently begun smiling at us and cooing simultaneously, which really melts our hearts. Can you say CHARMER?

The day ended with a visit from Chels, Matt, Soph, and January (future Baby S's nickname). They find out what they're having in a little over a week, I believe. Chels and Baby B were having a heart-to-heart here.

And, here's the last of my pics from today's montage. I'm probably not going to sleep well tonight because Baby B is sleeping in his crib for the first time. Tear. I've already checked on him 14 times and he appears to be snoozling just fine. He was sleeping in his pack-n-play right next to my bed, but since he's a big 8 weeks old now, we decided it was time. Love his heart.

Sleep Deprivation

In all honesty, I have not lacked for sleep since Baby B entered the world. Waking up once in the middle of the night seems like a small price to pay for his joyous presence, and I usually fall right back to sleep after our 20 minute nursing session anyway.

However, it wasn't until tonight that I realized that B is not faring so well. I was sitting on the couch, much like I am now, with Baby B sleeping next to me. It is approximately 7:25pm. I went to the kitchen to get a bowl of salad and heard B call out from where he was sleeping on the smaller sofa. The following conversation ensued...

B: I've got to get up! (alarm and panic in his voice, rising from his place on the couch)

Me: Why? (holding bowl of salad, wondering why there is a sense of urgency in his voice)

B: I always take a shower in the morning! (glaring at me as if I am stupid)

Me: Are you kidding? (still holding bowl of salad)

B: No! (heading for bathroom)

Me: Seriously, are you joking? (now eating salad)

B: What? (still glaring)

Me: It's 7:25pm. (realizing he seriously thinks he's slept from tonight into tomorrow.)

B: (finally coming to)

Me: Did you really think I'd be eating a bowl of salad at 7:25am?

B: (smiles sheepishly. lays back down on couch)

Poor guy.

Hotter than Hades...

Here at the M house, we are going on Week 3 sans air conditioning. And it's August. I am s-w-e-a-t-i-n-g my cahoonas off. Well, not really. I don't actually have cahoonas, I don't think anyway. Let me re-phrase that: I am s-w-e-a-t-i-n-g my mascara-laquered eyelashes off, praying that Derek will change the weather forecast to accomodate those of us without A.C.. But no, it's going to be in the 90s for THE NEXT THREE DAYS. Ohhhhh, good gravy with taco sauce and hot tamales, puh-lease let fall weather magically appear. Otherwise, we're going to turn into a nudist commune due to that fact that all clothing is uncomfortably sticky. Ick.

Now, in defense of the air conditioner, it is thirty years old. Yes, you read that right: thirty. We are due to purchase a new one, though feel it senseless since it is the end of the season and don't forsee these 90 degree days to be around much longer. Then again, wasn't it like 80 in November last year? Doggone global warming...

Anyway, we do plan to replace it. Just not until next spring. So, until then, I'll just sit here, positioned in front of our trusty box fan, with sweat pooling at my ankles, and chomp another cup of ice cubes. And take pleasure in the fact that our energy bill we be significantly reduced this month. See, there's always a silver lining :)

Oh, and my house is sooooo not as clean as it appears in that picture. But, I did start the laundry yesterday AND unload the dishwasher. If I could only remember those darn library books. Sigh.

P.S. Derek is sooooo my meteoroligist crush. Love him. Sing it with me now, Cincinnatians: Derek said it would be like thiiiiiiiiiiiis!

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry...

It is with a heavy heart that the M family mourns the death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore, founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. You'll be missed...

Barely Afloat...

I'd like to consider myself fairly organized. I color code the main events in my life, keep my undies all in the same drawer, and love, love, love, love, LOVE to make lists (color-coded, naturally). That being said, I truly thought that I was well-prepared, well-organized for the arrival of Baby B. The boxes of diapers were stacked according to size in the back of the closet. His clothes were rinsed in hypo-allergenic, dye-free, super-dee-duper detergent and then folded neatly in his drawers. Various baby gear was stashed appropriately throughout the house awaiting the appropriate month to resurface (oh, how I can't wait to use that cowmooflage carseat!!!). The fridge was stocked, the cabinets organized, and not a fleck of dust speckled the furniture.

Then, Baby B was born. And eight weeks later - BAM! - my life has thrown up all over my house.

I would be embarrassed for you to stop by right now to visit. In fact, I probably wouldn't even let you in. I'd - cough, cough - fake illness and warn you that we'd all been quarantined within its confines until the haz-mat team could render services to our kitchen and bathroom. That you probably shouldn't step foot onto the second floor for fear that the clothes-quicksand that blankets our floor (to the point that I wonder if we still have actual carpet beneath or if either one of us has lacked for clean undies in the past eight weeks) might swallow you whole, or at least trip you as you stumble to the bathroom after a 3am feeding.

Then there's the library book situation. Um, remember those books I mentioned that needed returning, oh, well, I guess it was seven weeks ago??? Yup, not returned yet. Still sitting in stacks beneath the coffee table. Even after the libary has issued multiple notices (I think the last count was seven), threatened to confiscate my first-born, and pay the $997.62 I owe in late fees. Should I just consider them mine at this point? Sigh.

It doesn't help that I became employed two weeks ago either. So now, masses of school work are piled haphazardly throughout the entire first floor practically over-taking the kitchen table. Who am I kidding? It's not like we've eaten a meal at that table in the past eight weeks anyway. Rather impressively balanced a slice of pizza in one hand and a bubbly baby boy in the other instead.

Seriously, from the spot on the couch I've managed to clear where I currently sit, I can see a bottle of Tide, a pack-n-play padded sheet, coupons, an un-opened bottle drying rack, the carseat, Windex laying sideways on the rug, various receipts, the diaperbag, the boppy, un-opened mail, heaps of blankets, and the daunting dining room where I cannot even begin to describe what I see. Let's just say I haven't had the chance to properly put away the remnants of a weekend trip to TN.

Alas, the boy child is currently sleeping. And while I should be cleaning, I am blogging. I only take solace in the fact that my lesson plans are up-to-date and that B will be home in t-minus 3 hours to assist in home-management duties - even if that means snoozing with Baby B for a couple of hours.

Well, I guess I should go get crack-a-lackin' on this disaster we call a house... oh, who am I kidding? I'm off to Starbucks to take advantage of the free smoothies on Tuesday between 2-4pm. Then, maybe once I'm armed with an energy-boosting chocolate banana Vivanno, I'll be able to take on this beast.

Or not...

Rollin' down the backwoods, Tennesee By-way...

Becks and Miss Paisley

We just returned from a weekend excursion to TN where my cousin, Dylan, wed the bee-yoo-tiful Annie on Saturday night. We were fortunate enough to stay with my cousins, Heather & Brad (momma and daddy to Paisley), who graciously hosted our little family during our visit. They were super-hospitable and we only wish they lived closer so we could hang out more often.

It was nice to be able to talk to another couple who could relate to our new-parent status, breast-pumps, and, ahem, violent diaper explosions. Heather even enlightened me to the new world of auto-pumping. This is where you pump while driving, a talent that she has perfected. Who knew?! So, naturally, I had to run out and buy an adapter as soon as we got home. I already can't wait for our next trip to try it out. There's nothing like driving down the interstate with suction cups hanging from your boobs...

Here's some pics from the trip:

B and I thought it was enormously funny that his head was above the shower curtain. How cool is that shower head, btw? I could have stayed in there all day! He he he!

Soooo should have popped his collar. Lil prepster!

Resting with me after a long day in the car.

Pic stolen from The White's Website - thanks, Heath!!!!

One day down...

Ay, ay, ay...what a whirlwind day. I don't have too much time to post because I still have lessons to polish off (tomorrow and Friday's are ready, but I'm headed to TN this weekend for my cousin's wedding and have lots to do!).

I did take pics today, but they obviously included the kiddos and I didn't want to post any with them in the pics due to privacy/legal issues. Note the mailbox and my Diet Coke stash in the pic above. He he he.

And, here is my favorite person in the whole wide world. I wish I could hold him right now, but he's already in bed. When I don't hold him for awhile, it's like I crave holding him again. How can you not fall in love with a little boy grin like that?

'Twas the night before kindergarten...

...and I am out running errands at midnight. Did you think you saw me at Walmart last night? Oh, as a matter of fact, yes you did. I was the one walking aimlessly through the way-too-brightly-lit aisles hoping that the futon in aisle 45a was available for sleep deprived customers. If my husband wasn't thoroughly zonked out on the couch when I left, he probably would have protested me leaving since it was after 11pm when I decided to make this necessary journey. Nevertheless, I had to go and pick up two staples that are key for making my first day of school a success: a mailbox and a 6-pack of liter Diet Cokes. God bless the Coca Cola corporation, amen. Without my caffeine fix tomorrow morning, it is highly unlikely I will be able to tolerate the 26 darling children who are about to run my life for the next 185 school days.

Oh, and the mailbox? That was purchased to provide intrigue and interest in coming back to kindergarten for the remainder of the year. How enticing is it to get to be the mailperson as your weekly job?! Heck yes! Aren't I the coolest kindergarten teacher ever?

So, I did in fact make it home safely from my midnight excursion and am headed to bed as soon as I print my lesson plan for tomorrow. B seriously probably doesn't even know I went despite the fact that I woke him up before I left. Impressive, isn't it, that he can sleep with such ease on the eve of my first day of kindergarten?! Guess it's not near as exciting for him...

I digress (such a great saying).

Nighty night, sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite!

So much to blog, so little time...

Happy Engagement Dinner, Sarah & Craig!

It's really hard to be witty and entertaining after the most chaotic week ever, so don't expect too much from this entry, Blog Faithfuls. The fact that it's 12:04am, Baby B just went to bed, and we just returned from an engagement dinner in Louisville might also add to my lack in jovial spirits. I'm slightly fatigued, to put it mildy.

I will talk school later. Maybe tomorrow. My classroom still isn't complete, though it looked rather stunning last night at Open House. The kiddos apparently referred to it as "the animal room." I will reveal more tomorrow. Hopefully with the picutres I've promised to post.

I will, however, talk Baby B - who is an amazing six-weeks-old today. I cannot even believe it. Didn't he just get here? Will he not be brand new forever? When I reviewed my class list today, I actually teared up imagining that he will one day be a kindergartener. A kindergartener, for goodness sake! Someday, a teacher will take pride in writing his name on a cute name plate for his desk and cubby. Okay, I have to stop. I'm going to cry. Sigh.

Below is a pic of Baby B sporting a darling Janie and Jack outfit we purchased during our Staycation. He's hanging out with his good buddy, Chuck. Chuck will soon be joined by Peter - the penguin that travelled all the way here from the aquarium in Atlanta to join our gang (via Nana M). Unfortunately, Peter is currently lost in the mess we call our home right now. He's probably wishing he was tucked comfortably back up on a shelf with all the other plush penguins instead of crammed haphazardly beneath our couch or in our diaper bag or wherever he may be right now. Sorry, Peter, we hope to locate you soon.



In other news, we travelled to Louisville tonight to celebrate the engagement of my sorority sister, Sarah, to her wonderful fiance, Craig, tonight. I just said tonight twice. I'm so tired. Anyway, we dined at Martini's and enjoyed visiting with several good friends. Baby B found a comfy shoulder to lay on thanks to the beautiful Paige. I think he has his first crush. I also got to chat with future momma, Rachel, who is due super soon. Keep her in your prayers, as Walker needs to bake a bit longer before he makes his grand entrance into this world. Lovely Miss Saylor was there too, sans her significant other who is busy making a name for himself on the Bass Pro Tour apparently. He he he :)



Welp, I'm off to bed. Sweet dreams.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl! I can't believe you're two!

Everyday Math

New Mom +
New Job x
Twenty-five Five-Year-Olds (17 of which are boys!) -
Sleep +
One Undecorated Classroom +
Umpteen Unwritten Lesson Plans +
Umpteen Core Content Standards -
Lots and lots of my personal bank account /
Time =
_____________

Me, 72 hours after being hired.

Sorry, no pics yet. Classroom is almost complete. Seven hours of PD tomorrow.

I. Am. Exhausted. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....................

And They'll Call Me Mrs. M

So, I want to know which of you took my post two times ago to heart and actually prayed about the kindergarten position I mentioned?

Because...drumroll please...I am now...keep the drumroll coming...a kindergarten teacher!

<Insert lots of screaming and jumping up and down and carrying on here. For those of you who know me this should be easy.> Woooooo hooooo!

I knew that the likelihood that I would be hired right before school started was pretty high if I was going to be hired at all. And I was being pretty choosy too - I only had my heart set on one position - part-time kindergarten at the school I taught at last year. Well, the enrollment finally made it to what it needed to be to hire a part-time position and I received the phone call yesterday morning during Ellen. Love Ellen, by the way, how funny is she?!

Anyway, I spent much of yesterday on Cloud 9, possibly Cloud 11, I was in such a good mood. And what time I didn't spend there, I spent running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to figure out how on earth I was going to piece together a classroom by THURSDAY. Yes, Open House is on THURSDAY night. Did I mention Open House is on THURSDAY?!

So, in addition to being superexcited (I mean, I got my own set of keys to the school for goodness sake!), I also have 4097 things to do before Thursday (which is now 72 hours away - eeek!).

Oh, and did I mention I am a new mom to a five-week-old, too?????

Life's getting ready to get a wee bit crazy for the next week. So, posts may be few and far between for the next couple of days. Hopefully I can post a pic of my classroom once it looks bee-yoo-tiful.

The pic above is of me teaching fifth grade in the spring of 2007. Talk about a thinspiration picture. Sheesh, why did I ever think I had fat days back then? As my momma always says, "Yesterday's fat picture is tomorrow's skinny picture." So true, so true.

Someone Got Bit by the DIY Bug...

First off, Happy August. Can you believe that we are in the eighth month of the year? Holy. Cow. We will be singing Jingle Bells and Sweet Little Jesus Boy before we know it.

Anways, blogging has inspired my creativity. Especially the Nesting Place. Such great, inexpensive ideas that anyone (i.e. ME) can do. Now, while I certainly consider myself pretty creative - patting myself on the back as we speak - I feel like I lack in home decorating skills. Nevertheless, I try. So, I decided that our living room needed some love. Some patterned love. Hence today's project: bee-yoo-tify TV stand. I wanted pattern and I wanted cheap.

Here is said TV stand before Bee-Yoo-tification Project 2008:

So, off to the glorious kingdom of all craft stores, known to the common folk as Hobby Lobby. After meticulously scanning stack after stack of patterned goodness, I chose two different styles of scrapbook paper. And with a little bit of cutting, a little bit of taping, and about 15 minutes of my precious time, here is how I transformed the TV stand: I think it looks pretty neato-Frito (or neato-Cornito if you buy Kroger brand Fritos. Ha ha ha). B thinks it belongs in a college dorm room. Good thing I don't care what he thinks, huh? And the greatness of the whole project is that it is totally undoable, super cheap ($4 for the paper), and can totally be replaced with any kind of paper that suits my fancy. And, another perk of covering the glass is that now this space can be used as storage for...well, I haven't decided yet, but it will certainly be storing things. Whadaya think????

My next project was to provide some much needed love to our bare front door, seeing as it was likely having some self-esteem issues after we bee-yoo-tified the yard. So, with the assistance of a certain famed decorating guru (my mom's good friend, Sharon, who just happened to be perusing the aisles of HL too), I chose some lovely summer/fall pieces and created this:

Having never wreathed before, I don't think it's all that bad.

And, lastly, I must share the treasures that surfaced today during a trip to one of my favorite places, St. Vincent de Paul. Oh how I love me some thrift. I bought these pieces with my living room in mind, but have yet to place them. And the best part: all of this for - gasp - $5.04! What. A. Steal. Your husband certainly can't complain when you get all of this for only $5.04, right?

The day ended with barbeque chicken and burgers with Chels, Matt, and Soph. I made homemade bacon mac-n-cheese. Delish!

Oh, and in case you thought I left out my trusty sidekick from my picture montage today, you are mistaken. He was napping on the job during the thrifty photoshoot. See if you can find the little bug :)