Get a drink and get comfortable!

We never travel for holidays...we have been blessed to have all of our holidays here in Dallas! This year was special. Grandpa is not doing so well so the family wanted to be together so we were off to spend Thanksgiving at The Lake of the Ozarks! Even though Grandpa was in the hospital in Florida, he let us stay at his lake house to visit with family. My Aunt Linda and Uncle Ricky own a lake house right across the cove from Grandpa's.

It was bitter sweet...being at Grandpa's house with him not there...it was strange the first time I was there after Grandma passed...it was weird as well. So many memories...

We left bright and early on Wednesday morning for the 8 hour drive. The last time Hagen was in a car for this long was when he was 2 months old and we were going to introduce him to the family...Grandpa was there.

We stopped at Sonic for my tea and to get burritos. Hagen started whining before we were even out of McKinney. BUT, he made a turn and was great in the car all day. We stopped 4 times, he wore a diaper in case of an emergency, and he pee'd every stop and no accidents! He watched movies, read books, looked at a million cows, and was just great!

When we arrived we went to Tommy's bar...a local joint where my Uncle Rick bar tends. We ate dinner and I got my drink on! Hagen did too drinking Shirley Temples that my uncle was making him at the bar. We played the juke box, ate, drank, and just had a great time!

Thursday was Thanksgiving. We were up bright and early, showered and went to my Aunt and Uncle's house. There were 22 of us! It was AWESOME! Everyone had a seat, there was tons of food, and lots of love.

My cousin Shelley has a little boy that is 6...Eli...he is tough. I was in fear of Hagen seriously getting hurt! Eli was not trying to hurt him (I don't think) but I was terrified of broken bones and black eyes. So, Ryan and I were not able to socialize and mingle like wed for. Ryan and I ventured out to the dock so that Hagen could sit in my uncles fishing boat. he loved it, but it was FREEZING so we could not stay out there for long.

Friday...what a beautiful day! We got up and had a huge breakfast and then all went to the dock for some fishing! My Dad and Ryan took Hagen to the bait store and bought worms and a bobber for Hagen's Car's fishing pole! He caught a fish immediately (thank the lord) and was so excited! After a nap, it was off to the bar again. We go there for dinner so that no one has to cook...plus it is just easier to talk!

We woke up bright and early on Saturday for the drive home. Hagen literally watched movies the whole way home. we stopped 2 times and were beyond ready to get home. On one of our stops we told Hagen he could pick out a snack. He picked the biggest bag of Cheese Puffs I have ever seen! We tried to trade it for a smaller bag, but we were caught and we decided this is a situation where we were not going to argue...pick your battles came to mind.

All in all it was a wonderful trip...as always, we felt like we were not able to talk to everyone as much as we wanted to. I will say this...I feel so bad for people that have to travel for the holidays! It just wasn't the same...just didn't feel right. I am glad we went and I know it meant alot to my Mom to hang out with her siblings when Grandpa isn't doing too well...for that I am so glad we went.

XO,
Carrie

Sorry I have been out of contact...I just hate posting all negative stuff! BUT, I am sick still...bronchitis this time. It has been over 3 weeks...I'm over it...the people I sit by at work are SO over it...I think my men are over it...

Hopefully I will feel better very soon because Thanksgiving is this week! I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving, but I am because it means that my favorite time of year starts! I love Christmas! The lights, the (mostly) happy people, the music, the hustle and bustle, the trees and decor in my house, the candles...just all of it!

I put my tree up this weekend. I know it is early, but I waited longer than I thought I would. I just couldn't help it! I got a new tree this year and was DYING to put it up. It's up and it looks great! We have been discussing our Elf on the Shelf, Kirby. I know he is not supposed to make an appearance until after Thanksgiving, but he is already there! I guess he couldn't wait either.

Yesterday Ryan took Hagen out for a day of Man stuff. That included a trip to Bass Pro. They checked out animals, had a hot dog (Hog Gog), rode on a carousal that was reindeer, got a camo pullover and hat, and just had a great time. They got home around 3:00 and it was Nite Nite time for Hagen and Mama.

When Hagen woke up from his nap he was really sad. Ryan went to save him. Here is how the conversation went:

Ryan: Why you crying buddy?
Hagen: I was crying so hard I pee pee'd in my diaper!
Ryan: It's OK buddy...that's what it is there for!
Hagen: (still crying alot)
Ryan: Are you OK? What's the matter?
Hagen: I picked my nose (no) and i got a burger on my finger.
Ryan: Well, where is the burger?
Hagen: (SOBBING) I PUT IT IN MY MOUTH!
Ryan: We put our burgers in a kleenex buddy.
Hagen: OK

Poor baby was sad he pee pee'd in his diaper and ate a burger...I would be too.

That is about all that is going on in our world. Lots of shopping, cleaning, decorating, and taking lots of medicine...

Have a great Thanksgiving week!!

XO,
Carrie

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer lately! I have been coughing for 3 weeks now! I'm so sick of hacking! I went back to the doctor last night and said I am feeling the worst I have felt the past 3 weeks. coughing, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, no apetite, headache)They did a flu test...do you know what that means?

Let me tell you. It was NOT.FUN.AT.ALL! I hope Hagen never has to have one done. He will for sure feel as violated as I did!

I sat there on the table and she came at me with a pole vault length q-tip. I opened wide and she stuck it in my nose! I'm not talking about just at the opening, I'm talking she stuck that thing so far in there that I swear she scratched the back of my eyeball!! AND she was twisting it as she was going in...like drilling for oil! I would have LOVED to have a hidden camera video taping that one! I'm sure the look on my face was priceless!

It was negative...I was hoping for more steroids...I think she saw "junky" written all over my forehead when I asked about them and decided not to give them to me. I got some antihistamine and some cough pills.

I am home today. I feel terrible. I slept on the couch again. Ryan forgot to put the heat on in the house so this morning it was 64 in here. Good thing we dress Hagen for a blizzard when he goes to bed! He is so little and has no fat (like his Mama) and I just know he is always cold. Plus, he has yet to be able to cover himself properly with blankets. Poor baby mostly has his blanket around his neck like a scarf when I see him on the monitor.

Mom, I know you are reading this...Help me...get me out of this house at 4:00 today when the chaos will start again. I need to spend a few days at the Westin Stonebriar in the honeymoon suite....with the Heavenly Bed...and the room service...and the huge tub with unlimited hot water. I really feel like I am going to die

Did I tell you my neck hurts too?

Love,
Carrie (AKA icky.sicky.germy.girl)

When I was pregnant I was diabetic (gestational diabetes)...it was mainly just a diet to keep me on track from not becoming a blimp!

I never had any issues with low blood sugar except for one time. It was the day I was going into the hospital to be induced. Mom and I were so anxious so we went shopping! We were taking separate cars so that I could just go straight home afterwards to gather my stuff and meet Ryan.

While we were on our way to the mall I called her and told her that my eyes just weren't right...seeing speckles or something...a peripheral blinking kinda. She told me to pull over and she came and got me. I was determined to get the Oriental Chicken salad at Cheesecake factory so we moved along. We shopped a bit and then went to eat. By the time I sat down and we were discussing a guy that I grew up with (Michael Haydel). His wedding was coming up. I knew I SHOULD have known who that was, but I just couldn't remember. My mom was saying, "you know, Michael Haydel?! Sally and Chris' brother? Carrie, are you OK?" She immediately asked for OJ and I sucked it down and was better. It was weird. I just completely forgot who he was.

The next time it happened Hagen was about 4 months old and playing with a little musical maraca thing. Ryan told me to look because Hagen was really playing with his maraca well! I looked at him like I knew what was up...I said, "A what?" He immediately got me a butterscotch and was was better after chewing on a couple of those.

Another time Hagen was about a year old and we went to Ashlyn's 1st communion and I starting seeing the specks again...Ryan stopped at the drug store and got me butterscotch and it was gone.

It has been awhile since it has happened...until yesterday...and it was a doozy! We went to lunch with my parents and my brother's family. My Dad started talking to me about work and I could not focus on my words, could not explain myself, could NOT focus. He got up and got me OJ from the bar and I drank 3. My sister in law asked if I had been to Albertson's lately and I had NO idea what she was talking about...what was Albertson's?! That is the store that I go to on a regular basis. It was a longer lasting one. At one point I sadly couldn't think of Hagen's name. I came home and was better but took an hour nap and woke up fine.

I have been to the doctor to get tested for diabetes and I am not diabetic. I think that I just get low blood sugar every so often. But it scares the crap out of me! There is no rhyme or reason for it...I never know when it is going to hit me...it's crazy!

Has anyone else ever dealt with this? I feel like a nutso!

Tata for now,
Carrie

OK, so I am surprised that I had a sinus infection and Strep...no nose issues and no sore throat. BUT, I got some antibiotics and STEROIDS! Man, I have been a busy bee this weekend and feeling GREAT! Those steroids rock my world!

A few things we got done:

1. Cleaned out the attic. This is my space...it is a walk in from the upstairs guest room closet and I have it in perfect order.

2. We have had boxes of Ryan's old football and baseball memories that were OUT.OF.CONTROL. Nana kept EVERY newspaper article that even mentioned Ryan's name and it was 3 binders full. AND they were all stuck to those old photo pages that are sticky. I had him go through them and narrow down the ones he wanted to keep. We had to narrow it down because the binders were dying and the pages were all falling out. I put them in new slip covers and they are off the old dying sticky paper.

3. We put up 2 book cases on either side of the TV cabinet that Ryan got for free from his office moving. I loaded them up with things that we have not had a place for since moving in.

4. BOOK.AUDIT. I am crazy when it comes to buying books for Hagen. The $1 section at Target is the worst. I walk out with no less than 2 books every time I go. So I put some of the ones that he is tired of and put them in the attic for the next little Darney.

5. Hagen and I made pizza for dinner tonight. He did really well besides the handfuls of cheese he was stuffing in his mouth. He would take a huge handful and eat some and then sprinkle the rest on his pizza. Kinda like Uncle Eddie tasting the potatoes before putting a big glob on his place. He is going to be backed up for weeks!

6. Hagen's summer wardrobe is now secure in a big airtight zip lock bag and in the attic.

7. Cleaned the entire house

8. Found a boatload of picture frames in the attic and put pictures in them and they are finally in the house.

9. Bought 2 Christmas trees! One that is going to replace our main one that is dying and then one that is a skinny tree for our family room. I want to find a black bear stuffed animal to put in it...so cute!

10. Grocery shopping for the week.

11. Got some work done...lined up two interviews for Monday (I'm a recruiter...I'm not interviewing for a job)

12. Hagen was only in time out 1 time...really he should have just set up camp there on Saturday...he was a bit rowdy!

All in all a great weekend! Ryan and I are sitting here watching the Cowboys and are going to sleep in the same room tonight for the first time in a couple of weeks. We are both trading off having coughing fits so not sure how long it is going to last!!

Tata for now,
Carrie

So Ryan is finally feeling better from his bout of Pneumonia. Hagen is on his 2nd week of antibiotics for his sinus infection. NOW I have a Sinus Infection AND Strep. I have been coughing all week and just not feeling right. I went in today to get checked for bronchitis and instead I have Strep and Sinus Infection. I don't get it?

My throat is not sore, I have no stuffy nose or anything...just a cough. SO, I am now starting my round of antibiotics and some WONDERFUL cough medicine for night time. I got a steroid shot in my hip...had to lay down on the table and it was in my WAY upper thigh hip area. Hurt like a son of a gun.

The house is doomed...germy...I smell kitty box...let's just hope that Dapper stays well. On the good hand, Ryan cleaned up after dinner and did a fine job. I'm just not sure he is going to let me do absolutely nothing since I am not ACTING sick...I just ate a gigantic bowl of cookies and cream...

Here's to a healthy weekend for the rest of you...Poor Hagen is going to miss a party at the airport museum tomorrow...he doesn't know about it yet, so that's good. Gattitown may be on the agenda for Sunday for sure...Mama wants some BBQ chicken pizza and frozen coke!

Love,
Carrie

Hagen, Hagen, Hagen...you just about did your Daddy and I in last night!

I get you from school and am pulled to the side by your teacher. She is going on and on about how well behaved you are! You listen, follow directions, share with your friends, and are just a good boy. I asked her if she was hyping it up a bit and she said no...he is one of the more behaved kids in the class! AND you are taking 2 hour naps now. Your Daddy and I are so proud of you for being such a good boy at school!! Great job!

NOW...what is up with your attitude at home? Let's just get a few things straight right now:
1. A pop cycle or Lolly pop is not an appropriate appetiser...raisins are OK...but that's all
2. You can not wear your pee pee filled diaper and PJ's to school. I know it is cold and you don't want to separate from that warm urine soaked diaper, but you have to...it's nasty.
3. You are more than welcome to help Mama pick out your clothes in the morning, but you can pick out pants OR a shirt...not both...you are not able to match yet and your clothes this fall are DARLING, but only when mama Matches them up.
4. Licking your plate is not acceptable. Mama had to drop this habit when you joined the family and doesn't do it so you can't either...it's just not fair
5. If you poop before bath time, you can have ONE gummy frog and not a huge piece of candy...do not proceed to hyperventilate crying to the point that your Daddy needs backup and I have to finish nighttime ritual. You interrupted Mama's crossword puzzle that I was actually going to get all the way through.
6. Yes, we blow dry your hair every night. Your hair is unruly and it is worse if you go to bed with wet hair...get over it
7. you have a few choices for breakfast: Pancakes, granola bar, nutrigrain bites, muffins, fruit loops, or raisins. Pick one (or two)...that's your choice...you have the same choices everyday...why does it take you 10 minutes to pick it out?!
8. Dapper is as tall as you. Soon you will be able to push him out of the way. He will not eat you...he will not even bite you. No need to throw yourself on the garage floor and not come in the house because he is inside...he is always inside...you need to get over yourself
9. Please stay out of Mama's purse. My Dr. Pepper Chap stick is not a treat...I'm sure it can't be good for you when you bite it and eat it. My gum is also off limits. When you put 5 pieces in your mouth at once and chocked, I thought you got the hint. Just staying out of my purse will help us insure that you stick around for awhile which we hope you do!
10. There are other colors that are just as pretty as Pink. Your father is trying hard to accept the fact that you like it, but let's venture out a bit...For your Daddy's sanity
11. Mama's iPod is off limits. I don't think that some of the music is appropriate unless you are 25 and older...Mama likes her rap music...and it is not appropriate.

I'm so proud of you for being such a good boy at school. Let's try to keep that behavior well into the night, K?

Love,
Mama

Was tagged by Alisha! She is the wife of a friend from High School and I have grown to love her to pieces! She has two adorable little girls and one is named Gracie which is and always has been one of my FAVORITE little girls names. I have a great grandma named Hazel Grace and part of her name will be for sure used if I am blessed with a little girl. Alisha is a great Mom and SUCH a sweet person!

Here are the rules:Use only one word, pass along to six favorite bloggers, and tell 'em you did so.So, here we go:
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? ponytail
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? IDK
7. Your favorite drink? sonic tea
8. Your dream/goal? fulfillment
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby? cooking
11. Your fear? failure
12. Where do you want to be in six years? kids
13. Where were you last night? sushi
14. Something that you aren't? dull
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. Wish list item? New Christmas Tree
17. Where did you grow up? Dallas
18. Last thing you did? Sonic
19. What are you wearing? jeans
20. Your TV? DVR
21. Your pets? Dapper/Chloe
22. Friends? loved
23. Your life? wonderful
24. Your mood? excited
25. Missing someone? Mer
26. Vehicle? Pilot
27. Something you're not wearing? Chaps
28. Your favorite store? Nordstrom's
29. Your favorite color? Black
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Monday
32. Your best friend? Mer
33. One place that I could go over and over? Destin
34. One person who emails you regularly? junk
35. Favorite place to eat? Mexican

I tag and award:
Merrilee: I've been BFF's with Mer for going on 20 years! We are old... She is the best! I love her like a sister. She is a wonderful Mama and has a hot hubby! Her whole Famn Damily is hot!! She is the most positive person I know, so fun to be around, and loves me with all of my quirkiness!

Liah: She is a wife of Ryan's co-worker and is so sweet. We keep in touch through our blogging and she has the cutest little girl Morgan.

I got inspired after reading some other blogs to post pictures of Hagen - Halloween Past!

This is our first Halloween...Hagen is 5 months old...and he was dressed as scary PJ boy! Yes, boring, but it was cold out and he wasn't going out in it! Aww...look at cute fuzz head!
This is last year. He was a zebra! He wasn't sure about it but warmed up to the idea.

What a fun weekend! Hagen "Got" Halloween this year and had a great time! On Saturday we carved our pumpkin. Ryan participated by pulling out the guts and then I carved the face. It turned out pretty cute by the way!

That night we got Hagen all dressed up in his Fireman suit and set the timer for 7:00...when the buzzer went off the boys headed out the door to trick or treat! I stayed back to pass out the candy.

Hagen was so excited! UNTIL that ONE house...the one with the man dressed in a wolf mask. Hagen just stared at him with his treat bag open. Ryan said he didn't act scared. But then they went to the next house and rang the bell...before the door was even opened, Hagen dropped his bag and said Daddy I wanna go home, and ran! Poor baby was scared of wolf man!

He was on his sugar high crack cocaine energy before bed and slept really good!

Now Ryan...he is not doing good. The only things he did this weekend besides resting was pull out pumpkin guts and take Hagen trick or treating. He is just not right...I feel bad for him...if he is not better tomorrow I am making him go back to the doctor. He is actually taking a 1/2 day today which is SO not like him. I mean, after he was diagnosed with pneumonia, he left and went back to work working outside the remainder of the day. I just hope he takes it seriously and doesn't end up in the hospital.

Hagen and I escaped yesterday afternoon to a party and then the mall. Mama needed some plug-in oil things from BBW and then a cute dress (or 2) from Nordstrom's. Then we topped the day off with a ride on the carousal!! He was so brave and excited. We had some nice Mama/Son moments.

With all that said, I want my hubby back! I feel worn out. My weekends are usually reserved for cleaning the house, shopping for the weekly food, etc. I am making Ryan rest and he is listening, but I miss him taking Hagen to Hope Depot or the park while I mop. I'm worn slick...and my hypochondriac self feels like I am getting sick...I sure hope not!

This week is supposed to be beautiful and I cant wait! I have PW Chicken Spaghetti all made and plan on making PW meatballs later this week...some good cooking going on in the Darney house!!

Happy November to all!!

Carrie