I forgot!

I forgot to add our annual Saugatuck photo from this year.  Here's this year and last.  I'll have to get the year before's shot from my mom's computer.  Will be added later and all that.

I also made a personal photo page on Shutterfly... http://itsthestarrs.shutterfly.com/ 

if you want to check it out, go ahead.  It's really just a huge amount of photos of Corbin, and a few of us and the rest of the family.  Cause looking at pics on this blog, myspace, and facebook just isn't enough.  ;)  I'll link it on the side too.  I'm not sure if I will keep updating it... I really just made it to get some free prints from the site.  What can I say?  I'm thrifty. ;)

A Rather Lengthy Update

I'm always saying "just a quick note" or "here's a short update", and then I get started and I end up writing two pages worth. So this time, I'm not lying. This might be long. Settle in and buckle up.

So, it's been a while since I've written. It always seems harder to write when I haven't done it in a while. I think about it..."oh, I should probably blog about what's going on"...but then I think about all I have to say and it's just too damn much so I go on Facebook or Cakewrecks instead. Today I've decided to allow Corbin to watch the forbidden "Dragon Tales", so that I can finally hammer this thing out.

So....what's been going on? Lots, really. Also, nothing at all.

My Dad.... Most of you, er, probably all of you, know that my dad had a quintuple bypass surgery at the beginning of April. I went down to Holland to be there, and was there for a week or so. My sister and niece came for the surgery as well. The surgery itself went great, and we were quite pleased with his progress. But then he ended up with quite a few complications. He got illeus (which means his bowels didn't wake up from his surgery), was in A-fib, had major breathing issues, then got illeus again, got pneumonia, and also apparently has emphysema. He was in the hospital for 3 weeks, then out for 2 days, then back in for a week or so. It was a long, long, long month.
Corbin and I came home, then went back. Carmen flew in from Cali. My mom went to the hospital (almost an hour from her house) every day, and spent most of the day sitting in an uncomfortable chair, trying to get the doctors to spend more than 2 minutes talking with her, and trying to make conversation with my Dad...who was not in the mood to say much of anything at all. He was very un-dad-like throughout most of this, but is finally starting to act more like himself. Mom has been through hell with all of this, but has kept a positive attitude and just keeps chugging along. She is providing me with a fantastic example of what a good wife is. My dad (and I) are so lucky to have her.
He is home now, and doing mostly pretty well. He is on oxygen still, and likely will be for quite a while. A nurse comes to the house every couple of days, and his vitals are being monitored every morning. He still has some pneumonia, but it's getting better. He's been using a walker, but is starting to use a cane now. Corbin, Nate and I went down to visit last week and it was so good to see him at home, watching the History channel and watching the birds. He is still weak and tired and, well, a little different than normal...but he'll get there. Right now he has to focus on eating (he hasn't been eating much at all since all of this happened, and has lost almost 40 pounds), getting his strength back, and getting rid of the pneumonia. But with many prayers and good thoughts, he's come a long way. Thank you all, who have been thinking about us. We appreciate it more than you know. :)


Next up...Nate. So, Nate had his knee surgery on the 8th. They went in thinking it was a torn meniscus, but it turns out it wasn't. It was a gash taken out of his cartilage, that was rubbing against the knee. Also there was some loose cartilage in there, that the surgeon removed. He cleaned up the gash as best he could, but he told me they may have to do another, larger (open knee) surgery if the pain isn't better. Apparently if he had known this was what the issue was, he would've done the open knee surgery in the first place. Neat. So Nate has been off of work, on worker's comp. His knee still hurts. He gets his physical therapy evaluation tomorrow, and has another appointment in two weeks with the surgeon, I guess he'll find out what their plans are then. He was actually able to work the last couple of nights, doing one on one care with a resident (he just has to sit there and make sure they don't get up). I guess they want him to do this for the next few weeks, until he is cleared for his normal work. This is good...except it's 8pm-6am. I really, really hate when he works that shift, but I guess we'll take whatever we can get. Neat, right? Right.

Let's see...what else? Well, there's Corbin. He's doing fine. He had a bout of the Croup a while ago, but seems to have gotten over it without issue. He's saying a few more words now, and is sort of telling stories. He'll say stuff like "Fwaaa (his word for dog).... Ho ho ho!!!" when he's trying to tell me about the picture in his Clifford book of Clifford dressed like Santa. The kid thinks dogs that are dressed up are so damn funny! I wonder if someone makes a book of just that? Maybe I should. Molly wouldn't mind being dressed up in a hat and boa combo, would she?

We've also been able to visit Marquette (and it wasn't even snowing!! MUCH better!) and hang out with Grammy. She's also coming to visit this weekend, so we get max Grammy time this month. Whohoo!! That reminds me... I need to pick up some coffee. We also hung out with Rick, Jamie, and the girls while we were up there. They are always so much fun to see, and Corbin loves the amount of toys in the house. ;)

While being down in Holland we visited with our dear friends Lindsey and TJ, and their little girl Jaely. We had a delicious lunch at Pekidills (I totally spelled that wrong, didn't I Linds?) and played at a park, then hung out at their house for a while. It was so nice to have all of us together. We miss them so much.

I also got to visit with Erin and her little man, Jack, when we were down the first couple of times. It was so good to see them too... she's such a great mom and Jack is the sweetest, most laid back little guy ever. I love chatting with Erin, we never seem to run out of stuff to say to each other. :)

Being in that area just reaffirmed for us how much we want to live there...or at least somewhere near there. We miss our friends, our family, the lake, the stores, the area, the downtown, the everything. We both feel comfortable there. We have been back and forth between so many places in the last five years... I really miss feeling "at home". I haven't had that feeling in a long, long time. That area seems to be the most like home to me. I really hope we are able to move back there this year... cause I want that feeling again.

Well, Dragon Tales is over and some weird sewing show is on. Time to turn off the TV and do something mom-like. Hopefully the next update will not take as long... and be shorter. Good for you if you made it all the way to the end of this, as I barely did. :P

Oh, and always...some pictures...

Mother's Day Brunch




Corbin has done a lot of hanging with his Grandmas lately!




Easter


Corbin's first ice cream cone...he had to eat it on Grandma's porch, for obvious reasons


Isn't he just the sweetest thing???

We've got...

So as another St. Patrick's Day comes to a close, I'm left to reminisce on what the day means to me. Not a drunken night filled with green beer, not the appreciation of Ireland (although the Today Show really did make it look lovely), not anything to do with snakes or shamrocks or leprechauns. No, my very favorite part of St. Patrick's Day is the ABC Warehouse commercial. You know the one...don't you? Let me sing a bit...

"We've got.... Bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains and bargains galore!"

Ok, it doesn't look like much. The commercial itself it terribly dull...just pictures of TVs and info about their craaaaazy sale. But the song, oh the song. I am lucky to hear it just once a year, and I have been know to wake up out of a dead sleep when it started playing. It's just so freaking catchy. I've tried to find the video, but it doesn't seem to exist on YouTube or anywhere else. It's one of those things that you just have to catch the one or two times it's on, or you're out of luck. The leprechaun of appliance store commercials.

We did do a bit of celebrating today, in honor of our possible 0.07% Irish heritage. I made corned beef and cabbage, Corbin and I wore green, and I listened to the band Deep Blue Something, which I think is Irish because they mention Dublin in a couple of songs. I just couldn't go all the way and turn on U2, so I stuck with what I had.

Here's Corbin, eating his Irish dinner and wishing you all a great St. Patty's day!

Mornin'

Corbin was up last night and early this morning, so I'm a bit sleepy. I may even take Nate up on his suggestion of a nap today...sounds kinda nice at this point.

Things here have been okay... Nate and I have been taking turns being sick, but Corbin's managed to avoid most of it. Thank goodness! We went back up to Marquette last weekend, for Nate's yearly reunion with his buddies. I was sick through most of it, but it was good to hang out with Andrea and let Corbin be spoiled by his Grammy. :)

Nate has his next appointment with his surgeon on Tuesday, so hopefully we will know more about the immediate future after that. Corbin and I have both gotten our hair cut in the last week, and we are stylin'. Here's a couple pics...
My before...


My after...


Corbin's before...


Corbin's after...


What? They suggested he use some styling products. We just use whatever we have on hand. ;)

So that's about it for around here. It's getting slightly warmer, so Corbin and I actually took a walk yesterday. Today we may do some laundry. It's all very glamorous here.

My friend Val posted this on her facebook the other day, and I found it terrifyingly accurate. Thought you might enjoy....

The Toddler’s Creed

If it is on, I must turn it off.
If it is off, I must turn it on.
If it is folded, I must unfold it.
If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.
If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
If it is high, it must be reached.
If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.
If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If it is closed, it must be opened.
If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If it is Mommy (or Daddy), it must be hugged.
If it wants a hug, I must run away.
If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it is paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it is a phone, I must talk to it.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it is not food, it must be tasted.
If it is food, it must not be tasted.
If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
If it is a carseat, it must be protested with an arched back.

I am toddler!


She added: God Bless the little turds. I have to agree.

It's not all about Elmo, all the time

That's what I caught myself saying to Corbin this morning. I swore it wouldn't happen. I swore my kid would not buy into this crazy toddler obsession known as Elmo. I can't stand the monster. But really, who over the age of 8 can? The annoying whiny womanchild voice, the speaking in the third person, the Elmo's World song... no thank you. And at first, Corbin agreed with me. He really could care less about anything on Sesame Street. He was a Yo Gabba Gabba boy all the way. We supported that. Yo Gabba is fun, has crazy characters, silly songs, and teaches good lessons. Their musical guests are indy bands like the Ting Tings and the Aquabats. They even have Biz Markie teaching the kids how to beatbox! How could it get any better than that?

But then it started... Elmo toys, Elmo toothbrush, Elmo's world... now when I go to get him in the mornings, more often than not the first thing out of his mouth is "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHMO!!" Oh dear.

The obsession has now spread into all Sesame Street characters. The kid only says 20 or so "words", and 5 of them are Sesame Street characters. Lately it's all about "ERRRRRRRRRRNNNIE!" We got him a little stuffed Ernie from Walmart, and it's his new buddy. He give him lots of hugs, pets his hair, and plays this "up, up, up, down, down, down" game with him that I have always played with Corbin.

When Nate says "Daddy loves you!" to Corbin, he responds with "Ahmo". Nate has to say "and Elmo, yes." When I get him up from naptime, it's "Ehrrnnie? Ahmo? Bbbbbbbrrrr? (Bert)" Yesterday he spotted an Elmo stuck in the corner of claw machine at Walmart, and freaked out.

While we were up in Marquette visiting, Grammy got Corb an Elmo cookie from the bakery. He saw it, but wasn't allowed to have it till after lunch. A small freak out ensued. All the way through the store "Ahmo? Ahmo!!", all the way home "AHMO!!!". There was sobbing. Once we got back to the house and he ate his lunch, he got to have Elmo. He was a little confused at first, but eventually ate the whole thing. His face was all red, his belly full of cookie...and when I got him upstairs and settled in for his nap he very quietly looked at me with pleading eyes...."Ahmo?". Um, yeah, you ate him kid. So much for loyalty.

I'm a real mom

This week I had a very real introduction to an aspect of motherhood that I had been lucky enough to avoid. I woke up to a very unhappy kiddo and crib covered in vomit. Somehow, in a year and a half, I've been able to scrape by with very minimal puking from Corb. He spit up sometimes as a little guy, and has thrown up twice in his carseat (once was on the way home from his surgery...can't blame him for that!), but he's never had the pleasant experience of waking up covered in it. I walked in and thought "that's it, I'm a real mom now, no turning back". And then I silently cursed this stupid apartment for not having a washer and dryer (none in the whole building. Curse them!!).
The vomiting turned into what we commonly refer to as the "pukey-poops", and it's been going on for days now. Blah. Poor little bug is hurting and tired and screams bloody murder when I change his diaper. He's had more baths in the last 4 days than he usually has in a couple weeks, and watched more cartoons that he ever knew existed. Thank goodness Amy and Becky have been coming over and taking the dirty laundry home to wash. We would've run out of towels and sheets long ago.
Today I am starting to feel icky. It just keeps getting better. Nate doesn't have a day off until Tuesday, and we will be in Marquette then for his CNA test. It's gonna be a loooooong week.

Oh, also, I joined Weight Watchers a little over a month ago and so far I've lost 13 pounds! Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. 13 down, about a billion left to go. :P

Christmas Dos and a Goofy Video

First of all, here is the newest video of Corbin showing off. It's dark and grainy because it was taken with our (totally junky) camera, but you get the idea. He shows off some body parts, does some animal noises, and dances a little. He's learning new things every day, it's so awesome to watch how quickly he catches on to some things. He's still a little confused with some animal noises... in Corbin's world cows say Baaa and hippos make some sort of strange aboriginal clicking sound. Also oranges are called Cheeeeeeeeeeese, regardless of how many times we correct him. Goofball. :P

Secondly, how are things going around here? Well, the biggest excitement lately was on Friday when Nate hurt his knee at work. He was moving a patient or something (and by patient I mean "resident" and by moving I mean "ambulating" or whatever fancy word they use there) and twisted it funny. He suffered through that night and the next day, and finally went in to the Urgent Care clinic yesterday. They put him on a "sit only" restriction for work, and told him he probably tore his meniscus. So he's off for a couple days, and may or may not be returning to work later this week (they might stick him in the HR office for a few days, if not, he is on worker's comp). So yeah. He's on the couch now. His knee hurts. Corbin, of course, insists on climbing on it. Poor Nate. :(

Thirdly, a recap of our Christmas in Kentucky. Long story short, we had a blast! Nate drove Corbin and I down to Lansing to meet my parents, and we took off from there. It was snowing, icing, or raining constantly on the way down. It was really an awful drive, and we were lucky to make it to the hotel in once piece. Thankfully the next day was much better, and all the way home we had smooth sailing.

We arrived at the cabin/house we rented on Christmas Eve. It was a full house with Corbin and I, my parents, Breanna, Christopher, Micah and Quinn, Sylvia (Breanna's mom) and Rich (Sylvia's husband), Viola (Sylvia's mom), and Trevor (Breanna's brother). Oh, and Molly (my parent's dog) and Samson (Sylvia's dog). It was a full house, to say the least. Corbin had a great time getting attention from everyone, playing with his new presents, and tormenting Micah by trying to steal her toys. ;) Poor Micah!
We laughed and laughed, talked, played some games, laughed some more, argued a teensy bit (varying political beliefs in that house!), shopped (a bit), opened gifts (for hours and hours!!), ate, and laughed again. It was so great seeing everyone. They are all family to me, and I love them to pieces. I'm so glad Corbin is going to be able to know them as well, and make friends with Breanna's girls. I hope our family's friendship continues into their generation. The only bad part was that Nate wasn't able to come. I know he would've had so much fun. Hopefully he'll be there next time.
Here's a few pictures from our trip (warning, pic overload!).

Quinn and I...



Santa even came! (does he look familiar???)



Corbin opening his Band in a Box (doesn't really seem like a good idea, does it?)



Corbin attempting to steal some of Micah's toys...


Chris and Quinn...



Corbin and Micah on their new couches...



Quinn (isn't she gorgeous?!?!)



On our way home... Corbin with his new lion.



I realize I didn't take any pictures of Breanna or Trevor or, well, pretty much anyone but the kids. Oops. :P Next time we'll have to take a family shot. Hopefully it won't be too long from now.

Our New Chair

On our trip to St. Vincent De Paul today, Nate and I stumbled across a real treasure. We were on the hunt for a smaller and less pointy coffee table, but this glorious chair caught my eye. It's a gold swivel rocker, and it's magnificent. I imagine it was made around the same time as our beautiful orange and green flowered couch. It is well taken care of, broken in, and just the size I was looking for. I HAD to have it.
So, now it's ours. Our gold swivel rocker, orange and green flowered sofa, and dark brown shag carpeting...we are slowly turning our house into 1964.

18 Months

Today is Corbin's 18 month birthday. I don't usually give a hoot about half birthdays, but 18 months is kind of a big deal. To celebrate, I let him have a half sippy of chocolate milk at dinner. He was thrilled. Anyhow, to mark the occasion I thought I would make a list of where he's at right now. Because well, I'm not feeling particularly creative and I love lists.

Corbin Likes:
-Wearing random hats
-Shoes
-Dogs
-Monkeys
-Showing people his belly
-Santa Claus
-Animal Crackers
-Yo Gabba Gabba
-His play kitchen
-Daddy's Sunglasses
-Making his "ugly" face
-Turning off the computer
-Raisins
-"Single Ladies" by Beyonce
-Fish
-Waving
-Going places
-Poking himself in the eye

Corbin Dislikes:
-Deli Meat
-Having his diaper changed
-Taking a nap
-Not being able to turn the computer off
-Having to leave a store before he's ready
-Not being the center of attention

He's now saying a few more things...fish, shoe, eye, ear, nose (kinda), up, truck, dog, dada. He understands a ton, and shocks me everyday when he does something I've mentioned but didn't realize he understood. He did surprisingly well in Kentucky, visiting with so many people that he had never met before (or didn't remember). He runs off with the big kids when we have Sunday dinner, and would much rather walk than be carried. He climbs up onto the kitchen chairs and sits at the table sometimes, like he's just waiting for us to bring him a snack. He uses a spoon and fork (kind of), and today he got to sit on his potty chair.
He's officially a toddler now, and although I miss my sweet baby boy, I am having a blast with my little buddy. I'm starting to actually feel like a Mom now. I know the last year and a half have been difficult, with jobs and money and everything else; but when people mention how rough it's been, all I can think about it my family...how lucky I am to have them. It may have been hard, but it's also been the best year and a half of my life.

Happy 18 Months, Buddy!





P.S. I know I still need to do a Christmas Dos, I'll get to it, I promise. I also owe a few people emails... I swear I will get to them soon, I've just been really slacking on that kind of thing. Plus they are the type that will take some actual thought and I never seem to have any of that left. ;)
Also I've used an excessive amount of commas in this post. For that, I apologize.