2013- A Year in Review!

How the heck is 2013 over? Doesn't it seem like just yesterday it was 2012?!

 

In all seriousness, these are some of my favorite posts to write even if they always make me cry.  If you're new here, sit back and get to know me a bit. If you've been around awhile, laugh with me as I look back on the highs and lows- which lets face it are always funnier- of 2013!

 

January- Ringing in the new year allowed me to share the toys a 1.5 year old loved for Christmas, as well as some of my many Mom Fails.  I received many words of encouragement for that post, and it let me know that I am not alone in feeling like the worst parent in the world from time to time.  January was also the month I received the most overwhelming amount of support when a nasty anonymous commenter left a heinous comment about Grayson. I responded with Dear anonymous, because no one should ever attack someone else's child behind the veil of anonymity. Overall though, January kicked butt. I did a few DIY projects, spent time with the two loves of my life and I told Emmitt Smith to stop whining on the Anderson Cooper show. Life=complete.

 

February- Superbowl Sunday calls for awesome snacks, which is why I made these BBQ Chicken Crescent Rolls, which are still a quick dinner night favorite. I also shared one of my personal favorite DIY tricks to get rid of the bathroom nasties. You know what I'm talking about, that crud that forms in the grout around the tub no matter how hard you scrub. Who knew that getting rid of it would be so easy, or cheap. I also kept up the Mom Fails by talking about the things I never imagined I would have to say, although now I know that these were only the beginning.  Keeping the food coma up, I shared my favorite sloppy joe recipe and some adorable pictures of a kid in a desk chair.  Another February high? A friend got married and I got to party with these beautiful ladies!

 

 

March- In March I officially had a one and a half year old. I chronicled the day with a Day in the Life of Grayson where I followed him around and took pictures of what his life was really like on the day he turned 18 months old.  To help beat the winter blahs and prepare for summer fun, I shared a list of fun things to do with kiddos in Pittsburgh.  I had a few more tips and ticks to share, and I posted the recipe for the only fried rice my picky husband will eat.  Easter was also in March this year, making for a SUPER LONG stretch between Christmas and Spring Break for this teacher momma.

 

April- They say April showers bring May flowers, but all I know is that it brings out the crazy we cant be in the house no more feelings around here.  It even made the hubs crazy enough to blog, when he shared secrets about his wife.  I shared the way I DIY'ed the superhero cutouts for Grayson's first birthday...only six months after the party, so that's not too bad, right? I also took some pictures of the crazy toddler playing with the non-toys that he considers more fun that the real ones.

 

May- HELLO SPRING! Once again, the hubs ran the half marathon (and once again, I ate doughnuts). Only this year Grayson decided to get a stomach bug as I was trapped downtown until Patrick and his Mom were done running. Yeah, that was fun. I think next year I'd rather run the race than go through that again.  After learning such a life lesson, it was only natural to share what motherhood has taught me so far the only way I know how, with humor and sarcasm. We touched some trucks, celebrated Mothers Day, and taught Grayson that he has the most awesome parents in the world because we went to see and ride on Thomas the Train.  Trust me if you're two, this is a much bigger deal.

 

 

 

June- Mommy was officially on summer vacation and that meant it was time for the list of things to accomplish this summer. Im glad to say we made it through most of these things, which makes me feel better for letting some things just fall off the wagon. I opened up and admitted my child needed some help in the speech department when I shared A Child of Few Words, and so many of you came forth with similar stories and successes.  I don't know if you all will ever know how much those stories meant to me, as I was sitting here in the lowest of parenting lows.  Thank each and every one of you for those sweet words. We also hit up Idlewild, which was on our bucket list for like the past five years, so it was really about time.  We also built an awesome swingset, which I realized I never blogged about. Woops.

 

Don't freak out- the Grandfather just jumped out of the picture, Grayson wasn't up there by himself. My Dad is a bit camera shy!

 

July- I started the month with sharing my beach essentials for a toddler, because I love to see what is in someone else's bag. I made lazy spaghetti meatballs, which are fantastic and I want to make them again right now. Then I took you on a room by room tour and shared the house bucket list. I'm glad to say that since then we've taken a few ticks off of the list, and added some more. Crap. I wrote some amazingly sarcastic Friday Letters, linked up with a few amazing ladies, and we hit the road for our first big family beach vacation.  (I didn't get the post up on the trip until August, but humor me on this one!)

 

 

August- That meant it was almost time to go back to school. After seeing countless people on facebook/twitter that I will refer to as jerk faces complain how easy teachers have it I decided to share what my life really is like as a teacher. I also talked the insane-ness that are toddler mood swings. Yikes. Not wanting to only think my child was a three headed monster which lets face it, they can be when those mood swings strike, I wrote about toddler moments I want to remember. So that I could remember his sweet face when he gives snuggles, rather than the crazy toddler wildabeast who ripped curtains off of my front door while I was on the phone. True story!  We were also in full fledged birthday party prep around here, Thomas the Train Style, prepping for a certain guy to turn Two.

 

September- Mommy was back to work but birthday plans were still in full swing. We celebrated our boy turning two without the need for sedative meds (HOWWW do I have a TWO year old?!!), and had a blast. I shared what it looks like to be a Mom (sans the Mom jeans, of course), and three books that I actually thought were worth reading. I let you in on how we manage to not eat out five plus times a week by meal planning, and answered some of the best random questions out there.

 

 

 

October- The month of two of my favorite things, our third wedding anniversary and Halloween! I participated in my first #TBT with a little gem from high school. We hit up the pumpkin patch, got our 32 pound pumkin and even picked some of the most delish apples ever. Then we had to go see the Duck, because when a 40 foot rubber duck comes to town you cant NOT go see it. I had a few confessions after hearing an Usher song on the radio that made me laugh out loud.

 

November- the sugar high wore off and I got my Halloween recap up, as well as the pumpkin carving pictures. I shared how I make parmesan crusted chicken fingers, a favorite meal around here. I got the birthday party recap up for the big Thomas the Train Party, and shared some details on the DIY elements.

 

 

December- Well I sucked at blogging this month. I got the tree hunt post up, then showed the tree all decorated. I shared ideas on what a toddler would love to receive for Christmas, and the Christmas Recap.  I had every intention to post a favorite Christmas cookie recipe and some cool Christmas crafts that we did, but I just didn't get around to it!

 

Oh well, there's always next year, right?!

 

Hope your 2013 was amazing, and if you do a year in review post it in the comments so I can check it out!

 

Happy New Year, Lovelies!

 

 

 



2012- A Year in Review.

This year has been crazy amazing. When I look back at my posts from January I realize my little man was only turning 4 months old and wasn't able to talk, walk or really interact all that much.  Some days, not going to lie, I really miss those days- at least the non-mobile part. Dude runs around like a crazy person. Her es a look back at the things that made this year incredible.

 

January brought my first ever tips and tricks post- and its been a favorite with over 1.5 million (HOLY FREAKING EFF!) page views. Grayson hit the four month mark, and we shared our must haves.  From that list, we still play with the turtle, the bunny and Scout- so they were some pretty darn good picks! I shared some cold weather favorite recipes and how to make homemade baby food. To top it off I celebrated my 27th birthday with my favorite little man in my arms.

 

February was busy with the first round of teething troubles (teeth suck sometimes!). You lovely ladies shared some great tips for what worked with your kiddos to ease tooth pain- a frozen washcloth filled with applesauce has been a fave! Tips and Tricks 2 hit the old blog this month. I also got to see a girl send my little boy his first valentine- hello heart breaker.

 

 

 

March- we made it six months!! Woo!!

 

 

This month Grayson's little personality really started to develop, but I realized it was eerily similar to his fathers as I shared my realization that Dear Lord, he is his father's child.  It warmed up in March and we hit the road in flip flops to stroll the 'hood nearly every single day. It was glorious.  What wasn't so glorious? Surviving our first round of the fever- which made me wonder how I could go days in college with little to no sleep but now can no longer function.  Hello old age, nice to meet you.

 

In April I shared one of my all time fave recipes Cheese steak Pizza and hosted my very first giveaway from Fashion to Figure. I shared with you that if you rub eucalyptus oil on your tootsies and slap on some fuzzy socks and no more coughing fits!! Woo! Grayson got to meet the Easter Bunny, and didnt hate him nearly as much as he hated Santa Clause. We celebrated Grayson's first Easter complete with family, food, fun and a bunny on his bum- hes so going to hate me when hes older.

 

 

On May 1st  Grayson figured out how to crawl- and we knew then we were in trouble. It was an athletic month of sorts- I started and gave up on the Couch 2 5K program. My amazing hubs and his Momma ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon while I ate some delish doughnuts from Peace, Love and Little Doughnuts. Grayson even started swim lessons and discovered his love for both the water and making kissy noises at his cute 16 year old instructor.  That month Grayson also decided that in order to get the ladies he had to give up his bink, and tossed it away cold turkey on his own which admittedly made Momma a little sad. 

 

 

June brought the end of the school year- wooo!! I was super excited to spend time with my little man and check things off of my summer bucket list. We visited the Aviary and the Children's Museum, both musts if you're in the Pittsburgh area with kiddos. Grayson also chose this month to udder his first word, Mama! You better bet your sweet bottom that I still remind Daddy to this very day that I was his first word, and as soon as we move to a house with a yard there will be a pony delivered for that sweet boy. We also got a few projects done around the house, like the amazing porch beautification care of Thompson's Water Seal!

 

In July we spent alot of our time in the swimming pool. Tips and Tricks July hit the blog, and was rewarded with so many sweet comments from all of you. I shared some more about me with the ABC's of Me. Because its never too early to start planning a good party, I shared my first birthday inspiration board for Grayson Boy's upcoming fete. I let you guys in on the secret that I am far too cheap to pay for it, so I clean my tile and grout myself with the help of my Bissle Carpet Cleaner. We took our first Family Road Trip to Tennessee, and I planned for our upcoming trip to Williams burg. I also shared recipes for Cookie Dough Dip, Crock Pot Mexican Chicken and Summer Pickles.   

 

 

In August I asked someone to bring me an adult beverage, because Grayson began to climb on every stinking thing he could get his hands on. At 11 months old I was convinced he was trying everything he could to not make it to his first birthday.  I shared some of the projects I was working on for the party that he was so desperately trying to avoid, like the high chair re-do and the fabric birthday banner. My deepest secrets (okay, not all of them) were revealed when I shared if you really knew me and I was thrilled to learn that I have other ketchup obsessed loves out there.  I also let the sarcastic comments fly in sometimes people can be so stupid, my answers to all of the dumb pregnancy/baby questions I had received over the past year.

 

September- my baby is a year old. How the HELL did that happen? I never shared a 12 month post, because honestly, I couldn't bring myself to write it. I cried like an insane person every time I tried. Its still sitting in my draft pile, and I promise to post it someday when I can get through the first paragraph without needing to use the booger sucker on myself. I went back to school, got a sweet new blog layout, Grayson started walking, we took one year pictures, and had one amazing party for my favorite little man.

 

 

In October I shared how I had the patience to sew 20 little super hero capes for Graysons party guests.  We went to the pumpkin patch with our playgroup friends and trick or treated at the zoo. Hubs and I celebrated two years of marriage and I shared with the world and my kiddo how I met his Daddy. 

 

 

I got around in November to posting about Grayson's first real Halloween  and how once he figured out that the strangers were giving out candy he was all into it. I talked about what it meant to me to be a boy momma then I lamented about how much I need a baby girl when I found Sweet Baby Jean Hair Accessories.  Grayson had his first haircut, where a few tears were shed by him and by me. To wrap up the month I shared the 30 things I am thankful for- friends, family, and of course all of you lovelies!

 

 

In December I kind of sucked at blogging. Sorry 'bout that. Christmas snuck up on me and school was ridiculously busy. We did all of our favorite traditions and I shared with you our hunt for the K family Christmas tree and a recap of Christmas 2012. 

 

Its been an amazing year- that's for sure! I cant believe all of the things that my kid learned to do, how hes grown and how hubs and I have grown and learned. Here's to bringing in 2013 in true old lady style- Ill be snug in my bed when the ball drops. In my defense we have a sick little bean and haven't had much sleep around these parts in a few nights.  Ill be back tomorrow to share my goals for 2013!

 

Be safe, my lovelies, and have a very Blessed and Happy New Year!



2011 In Review

Wow- another year gone. This year was crazy, as it brought us Grayson Boy.  Here's a quick look back at 2011 favorites month by month.

January- This month is always a favorite- its the birth month where I once again turn 21. This is also the month we found out we were expecting a little baby.  We kept it our own little secret for awhile, then we shared the news with family. January was also the month that I started blogging, and In This Crazy Life was born.

February- why hello morning sickness that NEVER WENT AWAY. Wow, that stuff was evil. They had to give me meds to be able to go to work, and some days I was the first one out of the room when the bell rang so I could get sick in between classes. February also brought the Superbowl, and my only food aversion of the pregnancy.  The hubs brought out his Superbowl Salsa and Chips, and I immediately told him he needed to get rid of them. If you ask him, that is the sole reason the Steelers lost the Superbowl.

I also learned how to make my own Laundry Soap, and that first batch lasted us until October. LOVE that.

We had our first sonogram to see our bean and to confirm dates and they said the little bugger (who really did look like a kidney bean at that point) was looking perfect and was due to arrive September 20th.

March- I think I spent this entire month getting sick.  The kiddos had started to ask if I was having a baby (not to me, but to other teachers) because they had noticed me getting a little porky in the middle.  Of course the constant shade of green I was wearing and the running to the bathroom like there was no tomorrow may have been a hint as well. So I decided to share the news with them, and my all time favorite line was said in my classroom.

"YEAHHH Mrs. K! I knew you wasn't just getting fat! Right on!"

Love those kiddos sometimes.

April- We started to clean the baby's room out, and in the process had the biggest yard sale I had ever seen.  We also started to talk baby names, and the hubs decided to tell me he wouldn't agree on a final name until the baby was born. WTH. He did agree however, to find out if it was going to be a boy or a girl. Little did he know I was finding out regardless- I have zero patience.

May- We found out we were having a boy, and nothing could have made my husband more thrilled. Everything was perfect and the baby was healthy, and I was designing a nursery fit for our little prince.

June- Yay for Summer Break! I love my job and I love my kids, but I was thrilled to get off of my feet. I announced to the blog world we were having a baby, and we picked the bedding and the paint colors. Progress, people, progress.

July- I debuted my first two DIY projects on the blog, the vinyl calender and the closet dividers for the beans room.  As of today the closet dividers are still one of the favorite posts here on the blog.

August- We took our last no-baby trip to Tennessee to visit the in-laws.  It was ridiculously hot and I fell off of a boat face first, and I was also peeing every 45 minutes. We had our All-Star Baby Shower, and had more than we could ever need for the Bean.

(Me and Best Friend Since Birth- three weeks apart, like always.)

September- Back to work and on baby watch.  My students asked if I was going to pop, and I felt that I very well could. I refused to buy my hubs a birthday present, because I was dead set determined to have the baby on his birthday. Well, that crashed and burned. I ended up scrambling and buying tickets to go see Ralphie May in December because the baby just refused to come early.  He came in his own sweet time, three days late, with the best labor and delivery I could have ever asked for. Grayson Michael is by far the best project I have debuted on this blog, and in life in general. (Okay, I guess Patrick helped a little bit haha)

October- With maternity leave I really got into the groove of blogging and shared Grayson's Birth Story, as well as my DIY Subway Art for his room. I also started sharing his Monthly Posts and Monthly Must Haves so that I can look back and know what was happening with our little guy each month, as well as to share some advice with other Mommy's out there. Grayson had his first holiday with Halloween and made the cutest Monster Ive ever seen.  Hubs and I also celebrated one year of being married with our one month old baby boy.

November- I learned how to make a grabbable blog button all on my own (to the shock and awe of the hubs) as well as made lots of yummy food with the help of Pinterest. You also got to laugh as I shared the epic fail of cloth diapering in our house- which by the way, Grayson still hates. Grayson was baptized and got to spend a week with his Grammy and Grandpa from Tennessee, which always makes him a happy boy.

December- We stuffed this month with traditions. We cut down our own Christmas tree, decorated the house, went to visit Santa, gave to charity, found Santa's footprints and his letter, and dressed the baby in a Santa suit. Overall, I'd say Grayson had a wonderful first Christmas- and the toys r us that sprung up in our dining room will take a good half of 2012 to organize.  Oh and the Ralphie May tickets I got the hubs for his birthday? The show got canceled. Sorry dude, your birthday this year was an epic fail.

Well that's it lovelies- 2011 is here and gone. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings to my crazy life. I know with Grayson and the hubs it certainly wont have a dull moment!

Happy New Year, Lovelies!