Abbie, Bud and Zabe

My neighbor Deb had a big bash Saturday night.  She had a bunch of Rudy's cars parked in the lawn.  We could have got some really cool picots although it was dark out and I need a better flash.  Here are a couple of Shell and Greg.

Or that's how everybody who looks at this feels.  I like to do photo shoots with Zabe.   Ann and I took him out to the farm and got a couple cute ones.  However, the little turkey was to busy to smile for the camera.  There is so much for him to take in while we are out there so no smiles.  He still is cute, with or without the smiles. 

He is starting to get his animal noises down.  He now knows what a cow, sheep, and horse says.  So cute.  We are still working on them all. 

And its no little infatuation.  Obsessed.  He loves them.  Thank God for doors to close.  I have realized doors are not for privacy, they are to close little children out of places they shouldn't be headed.  Now evey time I carry him up, he throws all of his weight down hinting to me he would like to climb them himself.  We have a door in our kitchen that I can close so he can't go climb and the couch is looking to be permanently between the french doors in the living room. 

I wanted some cute pictures of him on the stairs.  Ha. Nice try.

And were off.

Climb, climb, climb. (yes, the 3T pants are a little long.)

He's thinking shoot, she's still behind me.

Almost there trying not to trip on my pants. J/K

So close to the top and then he's off.  Always into our bedroom.  He loves our bedroom.  He could play on our bed for hours if I would let him. 

Love him.

I was doing hair last night and I came outside to check on the boys when my client was processing.  This is what I found.

Zabe was knocked out!!!! 

Just wanted to let you know that yesterday Zabe had some shorts on that on did not get any picts of him in but they were size 5T. They were actually like boy capri's on him but adorable. But yes, 5T. It was hilarious. They were a little baggy at the waist but those bad boys sure didn't come off his hips. (Like mother like son)

......hopefully he will start eating soon so he can catch up to other kids his age. I would hate for him to stay the little peanut he is. That’d suck!!

Playing in the leaves. Loads of fun!!!

Pretty flowers from the hostas

A squash at Buds parents house. Huge.

Pretty Flowers in Grandma Linda's garden

I honestly, and which I don't really like to admit I have never looked at a bean from the bean field up close until today.  It all clicked after seeing one up so close and personal.  I all of a sudden got it why they are the color they are and how they change.  Weird how that happens. lol

Look at the hair on the beans.  I love it.  Who knew!!!

I took some picts for Michelle of Sophie on Friday.  We are of course going to take some more very soon.  She has lots of fun ideas she wants to do with her.  She looks just like her daddy and is such a good lil baby. 

Love you Sophia.

Sonny (aka Brother Luke) had a football game Friday night and mom wanted me to capture some of him.  Goodhue won...which brings their record to 5-1....I think.

This is Sonny, ignoring every word his big sister Shelly was yelling..."Put O'Reilly in!"  She's hilarious.  Yogurt......Ann's funny to!  Thats another story for another day.

I wonder what their talking about.  "So Bitz, You going up to the cafeteria for BBQ's after the game?"

Bud fires up a bonfire every time theirs a home game.  Then afterwards everyone that has parked in our "free" driveway comes over for a cocktail or two.

Carsyn watching the boys playing ball. 

Is he not the cutest thing ever!!  Dirt and all!

It's hard to be a mom!!

The baby of 7 turned 17 today!!

Hope you have a fabulous day. 

since I have last posted anything.  Probably because I did so much on Monday?  Hard to believe it's already Friday tomorrow and I am going with my Michi Mamas (girlfriends from high school) to our annual cabin weekend vacation and I am looking so forward to it.  This WILL be the first time I'll be away from my boyfriend....tear.  I will miss him so much but it will also be nice to spend the weekend with some of the funniest people I know.  I will have the camera in hand and will capture some goofy things.  I believe we are also going to take along some booze which has NEVER happened before.  We've never been the drinking girls ever.  We have so much fun regardless, but now that we are adults we thought we should enjoy a few cocktails together!!

Zabe has been doing fabulous.  Hard to believe next Thursday he's going to be 1.  Sunday the 21st we are celebrating his birth.  Yeah.  He also has his 12 month doctor appointment on Tuesday which will be exciting to see how far off the charts he is this time.  Since we haven't been to the doc since his 9 month appt. it will be fun to see where he is at.  I think I did weigh him with me once on our scale but the number that showed up freaked me out and I couldn't do the math in my head because the number haunted me.

ANYWAY....

Z talks non stop, most of it is Chinese but you can tell he really wants to say things.  For example........ We have said pretty to him since he came out of the womb, everything is pretty, so now he's like pr pa pra and smiles. 
He absolutely loves farming.  Everything about it he loves.  The cows, tractors it is so cute.  I think he could spend the day with them out there and he'd be fine.  Today he was out there for a couple hours with grandpa and just loved it. 

Ok, this is long.  How about a few picts?  I absolutely hate self portraits but last Sunday we were driving along, driving along in Bud's truck and Zabe and I were having fun with the camera. 

His eyes are closed.  Lol.   (Note to self- I'm holding a big camera.)

I love his face, he's like what are you doing mom?

I love his eyes.

And I love him too.

about the hay Bud was carrying.  No, it's not the rednecks way of exercising! We made a corn shawk.  (I have absolutely no clue on how to spell that)  I hardly know how to say it. :)  But here it is.

Raise your hand if your not surprised! My hand is raised!  I'm not one to start to many debates on topics such as this, but I found this to be pretty interesting.  So many people out there the second their child is getting sick run to the store to pick up some drugs. I do understand that if it gets to severe that parents need to do something.

But...... Glad to see they are taking these off the shelves! 

Child cold medicines pulled over safety risks

P-I STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

Drug makers on Thursday voluntarily pulled children's cold medicines off the market, less than two weeks after the government warned of potential health risks for infants.

As drug manufacturers acted, some local experts said it's about time, pointing out that there are plenty of safe, effective alternatives.

"It really is a step in the right direction," said Dr. Rob Nohle, chief of pediatrics for Group Health in Seattle. "Parents feel compelled to give their kids medicine when they're sick and the data just isn't there to show the medicine even works."

Nohle said there also isn't good information about the proper doses children should receive.

There is very little evidence that cough and cold medicines are effective in young children, and there are increasing fears that they may be dangerous. From 1969 to 2006, at least 45 children died after taking decongestants, and 69 died after taking antihistamines, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association has said.

Many of these children were injured after their parents mistakenly gave them too much, either because they did not realize that products from two different makers contained identical medicine, or the parents measured doses poorly.

But there are growing reports that even children given recommended quantities of the medicines are at risk.

"Nothing makes the viral infections go away any quicker," Nohle said. "The medications just treat symptoms, and parents really should be skeptical about using cough and cold medications. The under-2-year-old population is the highest risk group."

The Poison Control Center of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recently reported on four cases of prolonged hallucinations in children as old as 6 who were given recommended doses of the medicines.

With almost no evidence that they are effective and growing worries that they may be unsafe, a group of prominent pediatricians petitioned the agency earlier this year to consider banning the drugs' use in young children.

"The problem is, in the infant category, we've known for a few years that infants respond differently to medications than adults and older children do," said Dr. Paul Anderson, a faculty member in the Bastyr University School of Naturopathic Medicine in Kenmore. "If we're not sure it's going to do anything, why give the children one more thing that won't help them?"

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association said last month it agreed with government officials that use of the drugs should be restricted, but had previously stopped short of pulling the products from the market.

Cold medicines being withdrawn include: Johnson & Johnson Pediacare Infant Drops, Tylenol Concentrated Infants' Drops, Wyeth's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops, Novartis' Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips and Prestige Brands Holdings' Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough. Smaller companies may continue to sell the medicines.

CVS Caremark Corp. said it would remove the affected products as well as CVS-brand equivalents from store shelves. The pharmacy chain said customers may return the products for a full refund.

Pediatricians suggest using natural therapies, including saltwater drops and humidifiers, to treat infants' colds before using drugs. But Anderson cautions parents against waiting too long to see a physician if a child is not getting better.

"Infants are more fragile and a cough or an infection could go very badly very quickly as opposed to in an older child," he said.

Late last month, the Food and Drug Administration tentatively recommended adding the words "do not use in children under 2 years" to product labeling. Current labeling directs parents to consult a doctor before administering the drugs to infants and toddlers.

The medicines come in tiny, droplet-size doses, but parents occasionally do not consult or follow directions from physicians, which can lead to accidental overdose.

The FDA will formally consider revising labeling at a meeting scheduled for next week.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association said it will conduct a multiyear campaign to educate parents and physicians on safe use of cold medicines. A spokeswoman for the group said it was too early to rule out a return of the products to the market.

The trade group stressed in a statement that the "medicines are, and have always been, safe at recommended doses."

However, industry critics challenged this statement.

TREATING A CHILD'S COLD

Pediatricians say the best way to treat a child's cold is to let it run its course. Over-the-counter medications won't speed the healing process, just help with symptoms, they say. But if a child doesn't seem to be getting better, parents should take him or her to see a physician.

I had a super fun time this weekend with my girlfriends.  Seriously, there funny.  We ate well, laughed a lot, ate some more and relaxed.  Seriously though they are some funny girls.  Brittney, Michelle, Afton, Sadie, Abby, Lisa and I had a good time Friday night then Saturday, Britt, Michelle, and Afton had to leave so it was up to Sadie, Lisa, and Abby to do the entertaining.  They did a tremendous job. 

Things to ask the girls when you see them.

Sadie----Bruce Carrol.  Bombs and Missiles, Menards

Lisa----Where she keeps her purse at night?

Ab and I are just 2 normal girls.  We didn't make fools out of ourselves.

Enjoy.

She's cool.  Must be the name.

Where's my purse?  "Do you guys think my purse is safe out there?"

Mama couldn't get into the wine fast enough.  J/K

NEED I SAY MORE????

Man, she's funny.

Good times had by all.  Thank you girls for a great weekend.  Love yous.

Zabe had his 12 month appointment this am and yes, he's still growing that's for sure. 

Weight- 35.3lbs. 

Height- 33 inches

Head- 19.5 inches ??? I think

Of course he is WAY off the charts but the doc says he is healthy and just a "big" boy.  Nothing to be concerned of and he does not think he's over weight.  I was like good because I wasn't thinking he was. lol.  He said he's about the size of most 2 year olds and thinks once he starts walking he might slow down some.

Zabe has a mouth full of teeth with 8 of the things.  Doc also said that he is working on his molars and a few other ones so I think now he was in the womb and extra year.  I think the molars usually come in when the kid is 2 not 1.  O-well.  He's advanced is the way I like to put it. :)

My lil sister took her state board cosmetology practical exam today and PASSED.  Last week she took her cosmetology written and the state laws and rules and PASSED.  She is official, all she has left to do is finish up her last couple weeks at school and she will be a licensed cosmetologist.  I am so happy and so proud of her.  She was the first in her class to take the test and will be the first in her class to finish school.  She will do amazing in this career I just know it!!  Not like she has had some excellent guidance?!!?!!  Best of luck to you Ann.

Congrats again Ann, We love you!

LOVES the farm.  I had to go out to the farm to get more milk today because seriously the kid drinks milk like it's his last bottle.  Which in all reality soon very soon he needs to be done with the things.  I.CAN.NOT.WAIT!!!!! I am so sick of the things, but it's really to bad the kid is so attached to them.  Seriously!  It will be so nice to not have to wash those things all the time. I love not having a dish washer.  Anyway, the farm.  Zabe has been drinking Shamrock Farm pure Organic raw milk for about 2 weeks now.  He loves it.  He was so upset today when it was time to leave.  So cute, I knew he would get over it quickly. :)

This is one of his "newer" things he's doing.  Woooo, whooo.  If something is cool to him, it's wooooo.  The other new thing since were on the subject, is if he throws something, drops something etc, he'll toss his hands in the air and say, word it go.  Almost everyday seems like he is understanding everything so much better than the last.  I love it.

It's the little things.  Like cows.  Could you imagine if we got as excited as kids do?

It's coming closer. He likes it.

Meantime, I had this creature around my ankles.  Rubbing it's tail around my ankles.  Ish.

It's getting me.  He still loves it.

Don't you just want to eat those cheeks?

Such an intense look studying those cows.  Makes me wonder what is going through that amazing little mind.

HE.

REALLY.

REALLY!

DIDN'T.

WANT.TO.LEAVE.THE.COWS!

He was fine, as soon as we pulled out of there, then we went and saw Grandpa.  

It just is so funny how much he loves those cows.  They don't scare or intimidate him at all. 

Did you see what his shirt says? ??? The little punk.

Happy Birthday baby.  Your so not really a baby much anymore and my excuse of saying I just had a baby no longer works in the weight department....tear.  I could go on and on about how wonderful you are are, or how I love it when you say mama, or how daddy loves when you say dada, I could go on on and about how you make me laugh when you do certain facial expressions, or when you clap, or learn new things, I could go on and on about how fortunate I am to stay home with you all day everyday, I could go on and on about how well you do in the salon when I'm doing hair and how well you play by yourself, or how much of a terrible eater you are, and how much you LOVE your bottles, or how you have learned that Howie will eat your food once you drop it over the side of the high chair, I could go on and on about how much you have changed our lives for the better, I could go on and on, but I won't just know we love you.  Happy Birthday little man.  Momma and Dada love you so very, very much.  Many more happy birthdays!!!

From this peeing machine.... 

To this big happy boy!

This blog will one day go in Zabe's baby book.  Feel free to leave him some birthday wishes, how fun will that be for him to read one day!

my birthday boy.  You had such a good day today, so happy and so full of energy.  As I think back to one year, I think about how, one whole year out of my life I have been raising this child, I have one question that runs through my mind and that is, "Am I happy on the way I am raising my son?"  I think the answer is yes.  Lol.  I think that Zabe is being raised the best way that I could have ever imagined.  He is such a good baby, and to God I am so thankful.  (And to my parents and Bud parents) :)  I hope we can continue to keep doing what were doing with him.  He should turn into a gem.  LOL. 

We took Zabe out to supper tonight at Applebees. His choice of course.  He of course was sporting his mohawk, which people seem to love.  We walked into a packed Applebees tonight, and Bud who is holding Z says, "Why is everyone starting at me?"  I don't know Bud look down and look at your one year old.  He has a mohawk.  Bud really likes the mohawk, he actually will take him into the salon and fix Zabe's hair!!! Who would have ever thought!

I love it. 

is one.  Seriously one????

Loved it.

His new John Deere Buck four-wheeler from Grandma and Grandpa Flom.

"My mom has gone totally crazy, she's letting me sit so close to fire and I have enough chocolate in front of me to be awake for days!"

Yeah, cake.

 He didn't really get into the cake and make a mess like I was hoping.  He ate it pretty daintily.  He had a few good minutes with it before I took it away.  I really didn't want to be up all night.

Patty cake with the chocolate.

mmmmmm 

"What in the world!"

The aftermath. 

Thank you everyone for everything!!

Were headed up north this weekend to see these little punks.  They are Buds (our) nephews.  Their mother is a fabulous photographer, I love these picts she captured of them.  Check out her business web site at http://www.flomdesigns.com/  She's cool.

and that someone would be me.  My mother and I are headed up to Ann's School to get pampered for the day.  Zabe is with grandma Linda. (Thank-you) I am having a mani/pedi, facial and back facial.  No, I don't have acne on my back I just think it will feel fabulous.  And it's my birthday so I can.  It's been a while (5 years) since I have been able to do something for me on my birthday so I am thrilled to be able to do it with my mother.  The other years were good, but this year, will be real exciting.  Too bad Shell won't be able to spend the day with us also.  I'm sure we won't have any fun Shell, and I'm also pretty sure I won't have a Starbucks.  Kidding it's my birthday.

Since this post is all about me I wanted to share a few things that I love and I am excited that I figured out how to do links finally.  :)

I love this lady it's one of the first things I do in the morning with my cup of coffee.  I then check this lady she has cool things and good deals.  Then I check my brother and sister-in-laws family websites.  They can be found here and here.  And I like her too.  And her too.

That should keep you busy today.  Enjoy.  Just remember I will be laying on a facial bed relaxing. :)

Thank you everyone for the nice comments yesterday.  I had a wonderful, relaxing day at Scot Lewis schools.  The facial was fabulous and the back facial was pretty good too.  It probably would  have been a little more fun if there was a lot of acne back their.  Yeah well, it was still relaxing.  The pedicure was great also and is so nice to have nice looking toes again.  By the time I got to the mani, I was a little stir crazy as I am not used to sitting around like that all day, but it was totally worth it.  I don't have any idea why we weren't pampering ourselves for the last 10 months while Ann has been in school.  For all the stuff we got done it cost only $40 because were on Ann's friends and family who get half off all services.  But wait, Ann only told us about that like 4 months ago.  Had we known.....

Anyway, it was a great day. 

Congratulations to my cousin Ben and his wife Brittany who finally welcomed Lietta Lynn (sp) into the world last night.  She was around 11 days overdue so I am sure they are thrilled to have a healthy little girl.  I must say, she couldn't have been born on a better day!!  Congrats again!

FINALLY after months of begging, pleading, kissing his toes, pinning him to the ground and tickling him to death, Luke decided to cut his Ronald McDonald afro.  Amen.

Before

I know what your thinking, is that the back of Mary Jo's head.  Oh no, this is still Luke.  Ish.  One big ol' fro.  Before we started the h/c Luke says, to me, "Do you have a pick or something!" Lol.  I about lost it.  A 17 year old boy asking for a pick to pick his hair out!!!!  I'm still laughing!

During the h/c....I thought he should leave it like this.  He'd be the coolest kid at GHS.

Or like these.....

....hahahahaha

I didn't let him look at himself the whole h/c so he was a little surprised.  I don't think he even recognized himself.  Can you say Chris or Casey???  He looks so grown up!

His pile. 

So,

      Before                                         After

Thanks Sonny, for letting me cut your mop.  It think it looks adorable! For more information about the salon he visited click here. :)

So this am, I gave Z a bath before we head up north for the weekend.  After the tubby he was a little anxious and tired, so I will do anything to have him lay there while I put his diaper back on and get him dressed.  So today, I was saying names.  Sometimes I think he says Abb, so I was saying Abbie and mamma and then said Buuuud.  Dada.  And he cracks up and says, "Buuud!"   And then of course to add a little fuel to the fire I would say, "Bud".  I would say it with a change in tone of voice and he would get louder saying Bud and cracking up.  I then picked up the phone to call Grandma of course so I had a witness to this all.  He then said Gammma.  And would laugh, then said Bud, and giggled.  I then said, "Dadda", and his reply was Bud.  Howie then came up stairs probably because of all the commotion and I said, "Howie", and Z says, "owie!"   I have to get this on video, it's hilarious.  Hopefully he doesn't start calling his father by his name. 

We'll be working on Peter on our drive today.

Auntie Shelly requested a few pictures of Z today because she is missing him.  How sweet of her.  I thought these picts would be perfect for her.  We had a great time up north at Law's on the Range this weekend.  Zabe was not himself and not feeling well Saturday, but snapped out of it Saturday night.  It was very strange since it's not to often he doesn't feel well.  He is also feeling fine now.  We have a very busy week this week so we all have to be in tip top shape.

Enjoy.

Ah, kisses.

Uncle Tony.  Uncle Tony is getting married on Saturday, we are so excited.  I think I have said it before and will say it again, there is no better kid out there than Tony.  Carrie is an extremely lucky girl!!  And we are just as lucky to have Carrie join the family.  The make a great couple.  Zabe and I went out to the farm the other day and Tony of course came running over to get Z.  Since Z loves the cows and Ton does all the work with the calves at the farm the two could get a long for a long time looking at the calves.  Zabe just loves it. 

Checking out the baby cows.

That would be toddler and teenager put together, I should also throw baby in there because really he's still a baby too isn't he????  Zabe is doing well although the opening of doors is getting to his mother.  I have to really make sure I lock the door during the day, otherwise I'm afraid the little guy is going to be crawling down the street and having lunch at the c-store.  Seriously.He.Can.Open.Doors.  And any door, the bathroom door, the outside door, you get my point.  Whoever came up with those plastic things that go around the round door handles is a genius.  Although I haven't put any on the doors yet, I'm just saying. I need to.

Also, you know how he was saying Bud, well he has Abbie down to a tea.  Abbie has always been very clear, but I didn't know for sure if it was just some baby talk or if he really was saying my name, so yesterday, he's crawling all around the house saying, Abbie, Abbbie, Abbie looks at me and smiles.  Then sometimes, he will throw in a mama, and then Abbie.  Sometimes it's really annoying like yesterday, seriously all day, Abbie, Abbie.  Hopefully it's only a phase and we go back to mama full time real soon.  I believe he picked this up from the people coming into the salon and saying my name, etc.  There is always people around so I'm sure he just picked it up somewhere along the line.

He is still is sleeping excellent, between 12-14 hours a night.  To say the least his diaper is overflowing in the morning.  But I do love my sleep, so it's nice for me....and Bud.  (like he has ever heard him in the night anyway) lol.

Words he says, Mama, Dada, Abbie, Bud, Deer, Hi, Gammama as in Grandma, moo, baaa, where'd it go, nigh-nigh, pity as in pretty, he also will through in an occasional Owie as in Howie.  His vocab seems to broaden everyday which is a lot of fun.

8 teeth.

He still loves his bottles, we are really working on getting the sippy cup more into his life. 

Has been on Raw Organic Shamrock Farms milk for about a month.

I am sure I am forgetting some things but this is what I have come up with for now. 

Things I've learned as a parent...

It's hard to be a mom. Lol.  I wouldn't trade it for nothin.