hmmmm...life.

I have been so crabby lately. I can attribute this to many things, but really, I know I just need to get over it. My poor child is just going to think I am the biggest grouch ever. I think much has to do with staying up too late and getting up too early. I have never been one that functions well without sleep. My hubby has been working so hard on our backyard as well and that means that I have really been a full time mom. I think I am a little maxed out on that too. And, I have been potty training all week. I should be happy about this part because Jackson picked it up like a champ. He has (knock on wood) had very few accidents and has even gotten down the number two thing, but it is so work intensive. I am constantly thinking about it, asking him, wondering how he is doing. It has been cold here too which means that we have spent too much time indoors and I think Jackson has gotten a little stir crazy and has some pent up energy. We will head out to the park this afternoon and see if that helps.

Anyway, that is my complaining. I should be happy because some friends met at my house to go out to some birthday dinners which means my house it clean (usually the only motivation to get it all put together), and we are going out tonight. Also, I have a number of photography jobs on the horizon which is exciting and means I will be able to get my upholestered glider for baby number 2. I am starting to feel the pressure to get things put together. Now if I could just get going on the bumper. Anyone want to come over and help me paint???

Off to edit some pics.

Questions to ponder...

Why is it...

That I prefer white bread over wheat?

That I want to eat doughnuts all the time?

That I have yet another cold?

That even after days of doing laundry, the basket is full again?

I always have more things that I want to buy than I have money for?

That I can't get a good night sleep to save my life?

That even with all the work he requires, I sure love my little Bubba?

Popsicle anyone?

Isn't this what being a kid is all about?

After this experience I realized that I had better go buy some "play clothes" for my child. He started out in a cute white striped polo shirt and three outfits later I came to my senses.

Hiking in the snow

We went up Kolob Mtn. to see if there was still a lot of snow by the cabin. There was. They were trying to pull a suburban out when we got there.

J entertaining himself while we did yard work.

Don't even ask why we have an old sink in our backyard :).

Someone was busy!

Snow in St. George

a few more...

Happy Birthday Mr. J (a month ago)

do you think he likes to lick the beaters?

My big helper.

Check it out!!

I finally have some pictures on my website. Check it out!!

On a sidenote, I am cooking something in the crockpot and it is making me so sick. I tried to move it outside like a friend suggested, but the plug wouldn't work. I don't think I will eat any of it.

I love spring days!

It is so beautiful outside. It is supposed to be in the 80's today and there is a cool breeze. You can't beat it. I took Jackson out walking this morning in just short sleeves. Now, I have to go and get him some shorts. Hehas none so far and I have put off the purchase. Oh, and some sandals. We will do salt waters again this year, but I need to get something that he can get on and off himself because as long as he is going to sneak out the doggie door he might as well put some shoes on first.

Speaking of the backyard...we did tons of work on Saturday and it looks pretty good for our ghetto yard. We had three garbage cans full as well as about five bags of yard debris. We have plans to make the yard less maintenance, but they will take a little time. My parents came over and gave us a lot of help which was so nice. We got our garden planted and we are going to make another garden to plant some other things. I want to try out some watermelon and canteloupe and see how they do. We planted 8 tomatoes, 4 peppers (some of those are for you, Sarah), snap peas (those we planted a few weeks back) and lots of herbs. I love fresh basil. I make it into marghareta pizzas, pesto and lots of other delicious things. I also planted cilantro this year so that we can make salsa with all our tomatoes. I really like planting a garden. And there is nothing like a homegrown tomato.

As part of the yard work Douglas and my dad trimmed the mesquite tree so we have tons of mesquite to burn. We invited some friends over tonight for a "wienie roast". You know, I don't know how to spell wienie. I think that is the first time I have ever written that word, so sorry if I butchered it. I have been busy making deviled eggs, jello salad, rice krispie treats (for the kids--I hate to waste good dessert on kids). My mom is making this delicious angel food mousse dessert and we will have chips and beans and steak fries. It should be yummy. We will have to do the picnic blanket thing since we have no patio furniture, but that is okay. It should be fun.

Jackson is so funny these days. Don't get me wrong, half the day is a fight, but he can say the funniest things. For one, he always wants the "fumidifier" on when he sleeps. We have it in there from when he was sick and now he always wants he. Also, he is a music napoleaon. He loves to sing, but if he doesn't want you singing with him, or he does want you to sing with him, he lets you know usually in the form of "NO SING MAMA." It is pretty funny. I have to explain to him that he isn't the singing boss and anyone can sing if they want to. His best song these days, or one of them, is ABC, XYZ now I know my ABC's. I think that is how his version goes. REally, who needs all those letters in the middle anyway?

Jackson pee peed on the potty for the first time. I have nothing to do with this because honestly, I have zero desire to potty train right now, but he is really interested in it. This afternoon he told me that he needed to do poo poo's and it was too late when I realized that he wanted to do them on the potty. He went up and sat there anyway and wanted his toothbrush while he did. He also like me to read him books while he sits there. I am not sure whether to capitalize on this interest or just wait until I am ready to really deal with it. Okay, that sounds really selfish, but really, it is a big committment on my part to try and potty train when he is so young. He can't even get his own pants on and off.

Well, off to finish cooking.

Is this really my life?

So, it has been less than two weeks that Jackson has been two and seriously, I am not going to survive this. He is such a B-R-A-T. Yes, people try to pass it off as just being the "terrible two's" which I am sure contributes, but there has to be something that can be done. I don't thing two and brat have to be synonomous. Case in point...went to Albertsons today to get some food for our trip. They normally have cookies for the kids, but there were none out so I got Jackson a doughnut (which consequently I forgot to pay for...oops. I guess I need to make a trip back there.) Anyway, he finishes his doughnut and requests another. I explain to him that one is all that we are going to have and he FLIPS out. He screamed for a good 10 minutes as we walked through the store. I mean screamed. I should have taken him out and left, but I had deli meat that I had to pay for. I remained calm through all of this, but let me tell you, I was ready to leave him there for good. What do I do with him.

And that is just the beginning. I can't do anything except play with him without him getting mad and naughty. I can only play kid toys for so long. He even wants me to sit and watch movies with him. It drives me insane. Do I have to give up my life to have a toddler. And how is this going to work when #2 comes along.

Everything is a fight with him from getting out of his crib in the morning to getting ready for bed at night. He is not agreeable about anything.

So there it is, my life. Sad, sad tale and yes, I feel bad for myself--a whole year of this?? I won't survive.

THere goes my three minutes without him being naughty. Now he is trying to throw his tractor at the dog. I must go.