18 month check up

Yep, I guess that means the little terror, I mean sweet baby is 1 1/2 years old now.  WOW, I can not believe how time flies.  Seems like yesterday...  Had his 18 month check up and he is tall and thin with a melon head!  :-)  Love his bog ole noggin!  56th% in weight, 74th% in height and his melon head is a whopping 99th%.  No wonder the 24 month shirts are hard to get over his head but fit once on!  His gross and fine motor skill were at the top of the bracket as well as problem solving.  His communications however were quite low.  Actually he scored a 20 and needed at least a 25 at the lowest.  But, the only place he is lacking in the area is speech.  He currently only says 3 words. Mama, Dada and Uh oh.  I promise I talk to him ALL the time!  We have been referred to a speech therapist and for an audiology consult.  I am not worried.  I KNOW he is not deaf and I really think that he has serious control issues and will talk when he is damn well ready but....I would hate to miss something so...off we go to get it all checked out.  On top of having his little boy parts checked out again in April.  That issue is still there and now it is a communicating hydrocele that has not absorbed the fluid so my best guess...surgery.  Ahhhhhhh!!!  However I am thanking God that it is not more serious.  So, Mason is a mess!  He is into everything.  Understands so much that we tell him.  Throws his diapers in the trash.  Loves balls just like Sully did.  Loves being outside.  Thinks going to the bus stop is the best!  Loves electronics like a child of the 2000's and absolutely squeals with delight when he talks to his daddy.  He still hates his bed.  However now loves the gym.  Only takes a paci at night now, loves to brush his teeth, is stingy with kisses and thinks his brother is the coolest.  He is getting more and more social as he gets older and gets more cuddly every day.  He loves cheese, bananas and bubbles.  He still looks so much like his daddy and reminds me everyday of Sullivan as a baby.  He is getting curls in the back of his head and he loves to dance. I adore him.  He makes us laugh every single day!  I can not wait for Mike to see him when he is home.  I hate he will miss the terrible two's.  And here is my little stinker! He loves to make crazy faces at the camera, wish I had a recent one of him doing that!  This kid is a trip.

  

I run better wearing lip gloss

It is true.  I know it sounds weird especially since if you know me you know I am not a big fan of sticky lips.  But, every time I run my mouth gets all dry and it makes it harder, less fun and well just yucky.  It is not always easy to stop and get a drink but...if I put on lip gloss before I run it is a game changer.  My mouth does not get as dry and I feel more powerful.  Oh yes by the way I am running again.  I have had a hard time getting back on this band wagon but, I'm on.  I am running up to 1.5 miles straight and then doing intervals of running for 10 minutes and walking 2.  Typical I do between 2 and 5 miles total. I like it.  I am going to start loving it the better shape I get into.  I'm sweating.  I feel stronger.  I have not had that runners high and I have not been able to "lose" myself very much, YET!  But I will...it will come.  I just have to keep running!  I am also spinning and lifting and whatever else I feel like but I am working it and with a little lip gloss.  Burt's Bees has been my top pick lately, the shimmer.  It is not sticky.  So, run hard, but even better, run with lip gloss on!  Pucker up and RUN! 

 

OOPS I forgot the Zoo!

Before Valentines Day I took my handsome boys to the Virginia Zoological Park!  Not sure how I forgot to post about it because we had a blast.  It was the first time I ventured somewhere like this with out Mike or girlfriends and all went well.  We really did have a wonderful time even Mason even though he does not look like it in the pictures.  :-)

Valentines Day

Valentines Day means such different things to each and every person.  If you don't believe me, browse face book the week before!  There is true hate for a holiday about love.  Others relish in the gifts, fancy dinners and romance.  But have we ever thought about where this holiday came from and what it really means???  Well, I looked it up and I challenge you to do the same.  I will not give you the whole story but I will tell you this; it has been celebrated for practically ever and was not always a "Hallmark" holiday.  I believe it is what you make it.  You may have a perfect marriage or relationship but I believe we are all fooling ourselves to think we can not step outside of our comfortable little box and be extra sweet on this day.    Doesn't mean you have to do what the 15 thousand other American are doing.  And the love does not have to be shown to a lover.  You do not have to buy jewelry or flowers or those cheesy chocolate hearts but you can do whatever feels good for you.  I personally love handmade cards.  I love a fun dinner made at home.  This year I did not get to celebrate Valentines with my hubby.  Like many of us military spouses we go through times when our husbands are not here to celebrate with.  So we try to make each other feel loved the best we can.  I will be honest and yes my friends this is kind of a rant, being a military wife is not a walk in the park.  And hearing so many people be just nasty about showing love sound a little ungrateful. I would have loved to had my hubby here just to hold me tight.  I think sometimes before we say things we need to think.  Why do you really "hate"this holiday???  Is it because you are forced to pause and show love to those you care about?  Or is it because you are expected to buy junk??  Mike and I have an amazing relationship.  We are truly the best of friends and have a relationship that is just so special.  We love each other on a regular basis.  We rarely fight.  When we do, we both hate it.  We adore one another.  And still, we chose to celebrate valentines day.  It is too easy to get in a rut.  With children in the house it is hard to go on special dates.  We do not go all out at all but we do try to make each other feel special.  This year we were apart but let me tell you, we both felt loved and that is what matters most.  So, off my soapbox now...
We had a wonderful valentines day!  We had the Downs family over!  I made the children pancakes (Totally forgot to make the eggs and sausage!  I so need Ritalin!) and Ann I ate shrimp salads.  For dessert we had chocolate dipped strawberries and petite fours.  It was sweet.  We got lovely surseys from Mike and he got some from us.  Of course Sullivan came home with a bag full of little love notes.  He was so happy!  And maybe I am biased but he had the cutest Valentines for his friends!  (Thanks Pinterest!)  And...speaking of pinterest, take a look at my cute "love tree" on the table!  I LOVE it!

 I can not get this last picture to post correctly but I had to include it.  Sullivan gave this to Mike and I as a Valentines Day card.  He pointed to the space where Mike is supposed to be and said, " Mama, I knew Daddy was not here so...."  Broke my heart to pieces.  He misses Mike so very much.

A little January get away!

#46.  Go to the OBX
Since we have lived here I have been wanting to go to the OBX.  It just has not happened.  Then a dear sweet friend of mine called and invited the boys and I down for 2 days!  It was such a nice little get away!  Junk food, indoor pool, wine, happy kids, jockey's ridge and some girlfriend time!  I only wish we could have stayed all week.  Now I am DYING to go back in the spring or summer with my family and play!  It only took me an hour and 20 minutes to get home so...it is an easy day trip as well!  And, I did not make it through the Brew Through and I really really wanted to!  So....we must go back!  Thanks Barbara for inviting us and for the wonderful time!  You have a beautiful family both inside and out and I am so grateful for your friendship!

Another reminder....

I started my day out feeling a little blah!  My sink was full of water backed up with dishes, dirty dishes, all over my counters.  My car was dead when I woke up.  And I was not motivated to workout, even though I did.  Then the maintenance man showed up, Blue barked at him and woke Mason from his nap all while I was on the phone with a potential client.  Cranky baby for remainder of day.  called potential client back and did not get her.  Rain started and it got colder.  Bleh!  Ann and I jumped car but could not get it to hold a charge and I desperately needed to go to grocery store.  When I got home I could not get the TV on.  Boys were hyper and just crazy until I put them to bed 30 minutes later than I wanted to.  Makes me want to scream just thinking about it again.
While I was laying with Sullivan I was thinking about my day and I was thinking about how my tomorrow was going to be.  I felt a bit stressed, frustrated and a little sad.  You see these are the times when Mike would have been here to help.  And immediately my frustration started to slip away as I remember something someone said to me today.  As I was walking to the car from the gym Mason got in a mans way.  I apologised and he said, "It is OK, I like children."  He then started to tell me about his granddaughter he lost last year at 13 months young.  As we got more into conversation he ended up telling me that his father was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and his wife last week.  My heart sank just thinking about it.  I will certainly pray for health for this family.  He then said that the loss of this innocent life as bad as it was made him really appreciate his grandchildren.  Wow.  And here I am complaining about a dead battery or that my TV wont come on. Yes today was frustrating but I am so thankful for my families and my friends health and safety.  I do not take that for granted not one single moment.  And...I am so thankful that my dear friend Ann was there for me the entire day.  She helped me with my car, gave me a ride to the gym, worked out with me, gave me her keys while she was gone in case I needed to go anywhere, let me take her car to store, fixed me dinner,  figured out the issue with my TV and then gave me a great big hug. (I am sure there is more)  Wow, I have so much to be grateful for.  Sometimes we have these days where everything seems to go wrong and we just need to settle in and go to bed, or stay up late and get things done.  But no matter what, this too shall pass.  It could always be worse and there is always something, lots of things to be thankful for.  I will have a much better attitude tomorrow, I promise.  And, I will see my husband in 40 something days!!!  San Diego here we come!!!

     

I turned 37 - OUCH

For real.....I can not even believe I am that close to 40.  Where has my life gone?  I know, I know I have so much life left but It just feels like I was JUST turning 30 and 25 and 21.  I must be having fun!  Birthdays are so different for me now.  I was talking to one of my dearest friends.  She was trying to take me to lunch and make me feel special she had a lot going on that day including her sons birthday.  I said, "It is OK, it is JUST another day!"  And then it hit me.  It is NOT just another day.  It is the day that the Lord blessed my parents with their very first baby.  I still remember that excitement, fear, love and all the emotions when I had my first child.  So it is never JUST another day.  It IS a day to celebrate.  But...I was sick so there was no celebrating in the Curti household.  However being sick did not keep me from feeling loved.  From facebook messages, cards and gifts, flowers and goodies I felt loved.  Now I just need to make time for a pedicure and some fun!!!
Happy Birthday to Me!!!
(and to my birthday buddy Dominick!)
Thank you Mom and Dad for wanting me, for taking care of me and for loving me!  As a Mom I now know just how special that Jan 19, 1975 was to you!  And I will remember to celebrate!

 

Book Review

Tonight I posted my very first book review under the review tab.  I am not sure if I have done this right or not but, it is there!  Check it out!!!

Swimming in My Head

I constantly have blogs swimming in my head!  I mean all the freaking time!  Every single day there is something that I think I want to blog.  So I asked myself, "Allison, why do you want to blog it?  Who is it for?"  And I have thought about this a lot.  This is what I decided:  I like my family and my friends.  Matter of fact, I like people.  I do.  I genuinely like people.  All kinds of people.  There is only one kind of person I do not like and that is mean people.  I like to talk.  I like to listen.  I like to have friends.  As a Mom of 2 boys, a step daughter a husband and a dog and all we have going on my time is limited for people time.  I am sure most of you Mom's totally get this.  I guess blogging is MY way of keeping up with the people who I like and like me.  It is my way to share the going's on in my family.  It is my way to reach out and be reached.   I am not looking to make money by blogging, although it would be nice.  I am not looking for approval or for a round of applause.  I am looking for a way to share my life, my family and my self with the people who care.  With all that being said, as you all know I have some extra time on my hands with my sweet hubby gone and my business slow.  Not a lot of extra time since I have a 16 month old who HATES when I am on my computer but more time and I want to blog.  I have things to share things to talk about.  I want to share some books I am reading, (now that I have time to read)  I want to share reviews on items I love, places I love and even some tips and tricks I find useful!  I want to share my family, my pictures and anything else that I think may bring joy to at least 1 person I love.  But, my agenda here is actually my own.  You see I am communicating to each of you, communication being the MOST important tool in a relationship, and I would be thrilled if you would communicate back.  I know blogspot makes you sign in, but you can do it!!  Just Sign up(it is free) and sign in and post with me.  It will be so much more fun!  And we can learn from each other!  It will be so much fun!  I know that while my hubby is gone this will be one saving grace for me.  One way to be girly, to be in touch, to get support, to give support and to just get by!   Thank you all who read my blog now and are interested in the Curti family!  My blog is not changing, just revving up a bit!  Stay tuned my friends....I am rescuing some blogs that are drowning in my head...
ciao for now
Oh and PS,  if you have any tips for me on how to make my blog better, please feel free to indulge.
PSS I do not like mean people so please stay away if you are mean...