Pushing My Buttons

This week we took Cooper for his one year check-up.  Every time we take him we get this great big checklist of things we should and shouldn't be doing, what to expect between now and the fifteen month check-up, and little tidbits of advice.

I always make sure to read these carefully.  I don't want to mess this kid up. Well, more than I have already anyways.

But there was something very disturbing on this list.  Something that I can hardly even bear to tell you.

It said...

It said....

***Sigh.***

It said that children of Cooper's age should not watch TV.  They are too young.  So instead, they should be entertained with books and games and age appropriate toys.

My heart sank.

But then I thought, "What do these doctors know anyways?"

I mean, how am I supposed to keep my kid away from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?  And Jake and the Neverland Pirates?  Special Agent Oso?  And Sesame Street? 

And does this mean that I have to give up the television too?  That any time that he's awake I have to leave the television off?  How will I catch up on my smut?  How will I know what's going on in the land of reality TV?  This is just too much for me.

I don't think that they know what they're asking.  My life centers around my television schedule.  Yeah, it's sad.  But I don't care.  I love television.  It's an addiction that I'm not willing to rehab.  No.  I refuse.

But then something happened.

I was home with Coop, watching him play with his toys and everything in the entertainment center because, well, that's what he does.  I was enjoying a Keeping Up With The Kardashians marathon.  And this happened.

"The doctor said, 'No,' Mama.  And he meant it."

"Now.  The bad influence of the television is off.  I can get back to the intelligence boosting things that the doctor recommended."

And then Mama turns the TV back on.

"Mama, I said NO.  You will not ruin my highly influential years with your smut.  No, Mama.  No."

I would like you to notice two things.

First, this can't be my kid.  MY kid would not have turned off the television.  No.  He would embrace it.  Love it.  Watch it until his vision starts becoming impaired. 

Second, check out the fingerprints on that television.  Niiiiiiiice.

I just can't believe that my child would take the doctor's orders so seriously.  I mean, come on kid!  We were about to see Kim get engaged!  And we were going to find out what happened between Scott and Kourtney!

What more could you ask for?! 

And more importantly, why do you want to tear out my soul this way?  Why Coop?  Why?

Homecoming, Coming Home

On Saturday we loaded up and headed to Terre Haute for Rose-Hulman's homecoming. It was Cooper's first trip to campus.

We started out by visiting the R Club tent for varsity sports players. Cooper met Coach Jenkins, Nate's baseball coach. Later he met Coach Bendel and his wife, Kathleen. I don't think they ever thought they'd see the day that Nate would roll up to homecoming with a baby!

Wait, can I still say baby? Or is it infant? Or toddler? Oh, help me. It was so much easier when I could say newborn.

But really, it wasn't easier at all now, was it? Up twice a night, ten poo diapers a day, and you certainly couldn't lay him on the floor to play by himself...

Anyways, we met up with a lot of folks that Nate went to school with. A lot of them I had never met before, but had only heard their names. So it's nice to finally be able to put the face with the name.

It's funny how things change.  A couple of years ago when we went to the game, we actually, you know, watched the game.  This year I spent watching kids.  A couple I had never met before, one who looks so unbelievably much like his Dad it's shocking. 

And here's the beauty of kids.  If they've never met, never looked at each other, they still just go on like it's another day.  They know no strangers.  And it's wonderful!  It's innocent, it's pure, it's almost hopeful.

Nannie and Pa met up with us and watched the game as well. Around halftime they took Coop and left for the night. Mommy and Daddy had a night to themselves! But what do you do with it? How do you spend your time when there's no baby?

Well I'll tell you how you spend it. You leave the game around halftime and head to the closest bar (Terminal) with your husband's best friend (Zach) so that he can watch the *cough* Ohio State game.

Then you sit in said bar for, no kidding, 6 hours. But then after three other guys show up and you're the only gal there, it's time to head to the hotel. Because folks, that's just uncomfortable.

But let me tell you what was comfortable. Getting up to that hotel room, crawling under the covers, reading a book, and watching whatever television show I wanted because I was ALONE. And I don't remember when the last time that happened was.

In all, it was a successful Saturday. Good times with good friends. Showing Cooper the campus of the school his Daddy attended. 

Just don't tell Zach.  I wouldn't want him to know that I enjoyed any time with him.  At all.

It Happened

As I mentioned yesterday, Cooper turned one. I can't believe that this little man that we brought into the world has already been with us for an entire year. Where did the time go? In the blink of an eye he has turned from this little guy that needed us for everything. Food, transportation, the little things. And as he grows, he gets more independent. While I love watching him grow and I love seeing him do new things, I still think back to that little 8 pound 2 ounce baby. Oh my, how time flies.

On Saturday we had a birthday celebration. We had an owl themed party with friends and family. We had a wonderful time that we will be able to look back on for years and appreciate. Here are some pictures from the event.

We had such a nice time. Cooper was spoiled rotten with toys and clothes and all kinds of goodies. I think we're going to have to build on an addition just to house it all!

Thanks to all that came! Next year, oh boy. I think we'll have our hands full! :)

A Lesson In Time

I have a confession to make.  One that has taken me about three months to realize.  A decision that I was proud to make, but still kind of hurts to admit.

In June I had a website designed.  I was so excited about it.  I was going to take on the blogging world and conquer it.  I was going to be the next Pioneer Woman.  A Little Miss Momma.  Or maybe even BooMama herself.  I collaborated with a gal that designed a beautiful page for me and worked hard for about three months to get it all set up.

But then I had a realization.  I had too much on my plate.  Listen, it's not like I'm being pulled from a hundred different ways or anything.  But for what I, personally, am able to and am willing to handle it became too much.

So on my way home from school the other day I had an epiphany.  I don't have to do this website.  I don't have to get myself into it if I don't want to.

And it's not so much that I don't want to.  You see, I was going to post recipes and blog about my life as a Mom, a wife, a teacher.  I was going to be witty and humorous and make you all want to visit daily.  It's something that I still want to do.  Truly, I do.

But now is not the time.

There's a lot going on in my life.  And while it might not seem like a lot to most, it's a lot to me.  I have a little boy to raise.  I have a family to think about.  I have a job that I love and I want to dedicate time to. 

And that's why I've decided to put my blog dreams on hold.

And this is where the good news comes in.

I'm staying right here.  I love doing this blog.  I love the encouragement that I get from all of you about doing it.  I love hearing how it made you smile or that I wrote something that you related to.  And lately, even though it might sound crazy, I've loved hearing you complain because I haven't updated.  Because to me, that means that you're coming to visit.  It means that you enjoy reading what I write.  And that makes me smile.

So the other website, well it will still be there a few years from now.  Or maybe I'll get the itch again and I'll do it next year.  Who knows what the future holds?  But for now, I'm content being right here, with you all, writing about my not so mundane life.

And I've got so much to catch you all up on!  And I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Did I mention that Cooper is one today?

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?

I know I've been away for awhile. My sincerest apologies. However, I've been working on a very exciting project that I was hoping would be completed by now.

But, alas, it is not.

My deepest hope is that it is completed in the next couple of days and that I will be able to tell you all about it in my next post.

So please, PLEASE come back. I beg of you. I'm on hands and knees right now.

Okay, not really on that last part because I'd never be able to get myself back up.

But please. Come back. Don't leave me. I need you. Like water. Like bread. Like rain.

Like Lola needs 22 1/2 hours of sleep a day.

Please come back and visit. I've missed you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone