Opening Day!

On one of the blogs I read (I think it's called "Modern Parents, Messy Kids") they run a series called "Happy Family Habits".  One such habit is "making family traditions". 

You know I love a good tradition.  Really, any excuse to make more memories right?

 

Well friends - we have officially started a new tradition in the Hauck house.

It will hereafter be known as "Opening Day...Stuff Your Face with Skyline".

Because, yeah, that's what we did.

Sadly, I did not come up with this concept on my own. 

My good friend and co-teacher, Miss Kat, is from Cincinnati (home of the Cincinnati Reds).

She said that every opening day, her and her family (and now husband) eat Skyline...because Skyline chili is the official food of the redlegs stadium. I can totally get behind that idea.

I practically grew up on Skyline and Fazoli's (Grandpa Tim is a huge skyline fan).

I had kind of forgotten about my love of the cheese coney until Miss Kat started in ZooKids.

And I definitely didn't even know there was a Skyline two miles from my house.

But now I do :)

 

So, tonight - Hauck family, party of three, chowed on some Skyline.

Here's how it went down.

 

Papa Rob got a regular 4 way with beans! 

 

Max started out eating sweet potatoes and then discovered

the free oyster crackers in which he proceeded to eat his weight in.

While demanding a free cheese coney! ha!

 

I then offered him some heaping piles of cheese from my plate.

Those went down pretty easy too...

 

And then finally, he was all, give me own spaghetti mom!

So, I did! haha!  He grabbed one noodle...flung it all around...

and then ate it about 10 minutes later.

Also note: we forgot his bib and sippy cup. 

But, the lovely waitress gave us a Skyline bib and he drank

water from our cups like a pro!

One more note:  His blue placemat is called the "Tiny Diner"...and this still makes me smile.

 

In conclusion - we are all grateful for this new family tradition that we plan to carry on forever and ever and ever. (Even though, Papa Rob informed me we were "an Indians family"...as in the Cleveland Indians team). Oh well...all in the name of tradition, right?



Crazy Week

Well friends...it was a doozy of a week. 

 

We noticed on Monday that Max was starting to get a cough...but it wasn't too bad.

So, we sent him to bed right on time and didn't give it much thought.

However, all night long we heard him cough and hack on the monitor. 

Never enough to wake him all the way up...but enough to make me question

whether we should send him to school on Tuesday.

 

(when you're feeling sick...the best thing to do is obvioulsy drum it out!)

 

Well...I decided to stay home with him.  And honestly, it was amazing!

While he was clearly under the weather - it was kind of fun to hang out together all day.

We played and played.  He peed on me when I didn't get the diaper on fast enough.

I prepared two meals, a snack, and all his bottles...and napped when he napped. 

He was so snuggly ... I think it was just what we both needed :)

 

(nothing like curling up with a good book on a sick day)

 

By Tuesday night I was ready to send him back to school...until we received a phone call no one with their child in childcare wants to get. Our sitter's son had lice :(  Yuck. I immediately started to freak out - like googling pictures, calling my mom, stalking the CDC website, and really any website that contained information on these hideous creatures.  For a hot second, I considered waking Max up (he was in bed when we got the call) so that I could comb through his precious curls. 

But, I talked myself out of that and just kept panicking. I checked Rob's hair and Rob checked mine (file that under things I never want to do again). All clear.

So, it was decided that Rob would stay home with Max again. Blah...

 

(daddy makes everything better by getting out "new" toys like this car ramp!)

 

While I did go to work on Wednesday...the lice situation was all I could think about.

Rob ended up taking Max to the doctor in the morning because we were both worried that the cough was escalating.  They were the first people there for "walk in" hours (do we get the panicked, first time parent award yet?).  The doctor reassured us that it was "just a cough" and his lungs, ears, and throat looked clear.  And, confirmed Max did not have lice. Thank you Lord. 

Papa Rob and Max seemed to have a blast the rest of the day...and we were in the clear for the rest of the week because Grandpa Tim and Grandmim were coming.

 

(so much fun with Grandpa Tim and Grandmim!)

 

Thursday was homeschool day and Max got to play with pots and pans, his musical instruments, and mostly showed off his dancing skills!  I think Grandmim could tell I was not having a great week because she and Grandpa Tim agreed to stay till Friday and they took us to Graeters for ice cream.  Sometimes love is a dip of coconut chip ice cream...it lifted my mood immediately! 

 

(Grandmim even did some laundry!)

 

On Friday it was another homeschool day.  Our homeschool theme for the month (this idea just started in March) was farm animals.  And boy did Grandmim come prepared!  They did farm puzzles and read lots of farm books.  Grandpa Tim even did a pretty spot on impression of a donkey (which obviously Max loved!).  And, when I got home they had even left some farm art work.  Max painted pink pigs and added cotton balls to one sheep...(though Grandmim said the cotton balls were not his favorite). Either way - I love that he is getting some early exposure to animals!  They are even planning a trip to the Zoo to complete the theme.

 

(working on farm puzzles and playing "barber shop")

 

So by Friday evening - I felt better about Max's cold and putting some space between us and the lice.

Max was in great spirits all weekend - even enjoying sample day at Costco! And what weekend would be complete without a visit (or two!) from Auntie Stacy.  She always brings out the smiles!

 

(samples and smiles at Costco...)

 

(Max approved of the gluten free crackers...)

 

(hooray for Auntie Stacy visits!)

 

(little man is feeling better!)

 

Overall we are feeling grateful for our support systems and a healthy baby! Bring on the new week!

XoXo

Mom Bag

Back in the day my mom (Grandmim) used to carry this teal and black fanny pack from Eddie Bauer whenever we went anywhere.  It was like a running joke in my family. Going hiking?  The fanny pack came along!  Headed to Kings Island for the day? Better bring the fanny pack!  It even went on most of childhood vacations....from Disney cruises to the beaches of Florida. This fanny pack commanded a lot of attention because it was HUGE!  I used to wonder why in the world she needed such a big bag. Well friends - I'm here to tell you that she was carrying that bag because it was probably the only thing big enough to accomodate the amount of crap that comes with having two children.  And honestly, it was probably easier (though definitely not as fashionable...or maybe it was?  It was the 90's...) to carry it around your waist - then on your shoulder.

 

Well friends - file this under reasons I'm becoming my mother (and there are many...)

After a weekend of solo parenting (see the post before this as to why)...my purse seemed like it weighed a million pounds.  Alright, that might be an exaggeration...but let's just say my shoulder was crying for a massage.  I dumped out my bag last night...and lo and behold the contents!  Auntie Stacy has always joked that my purse is a veritable dumpster...and I think the picture below proves she is on to something.

 

 

Let's take a closer look at the junk priceless treasures.

 

In the upper left you will see...

1.) sugar scrub lip color 2.) compact mirror 3.) re-usable grocery bag (that I lost the cover for so it's being held together by a rubber band) 4.) Sophie the giraffe teether  (which is laying on top of a picture of an elephant that I drew for Max at dinner...) 5.)  stuffed bunny that Max got for doing such a great job getting his picture taken

 

In the lower left...

6.) 2 sweet potatoes (that I was unsure how to cook...so I hauled them to Dayton with me and then never had time to actually do anything with...so I hauled them back to Columbus)  7.)  glasses and case 8.)  random gift cards to Babies R' Us and Lowes  9.)  Shamrock sunglasses...left over from the parade 10.)  checkbook

 

In the upper right...

11.)  my Vera Bradely coin purse that actually holds other gift cards  12.)  a leftover Target giftcard/ two random business cards and an old doctor's appointment card from the pediatrician 13.)  Trident gum  14.)  a pair of white Converse shoes that I thought might fit Max for his Easter pictures (they did not)  15.)  10 bobby pins 16.)  lip balm  17.)  2 pens  18.)  ATM receipt  19.)  three caps from baby food pouches (I'm saving these caps to fill my sensory bin at work)  20.)  my winter hat (because you just never know in Ohio)

 

In the bottom right...

21.)  my sunglasses 22.)  my work ID badge  23.)  my work keys  24.)  2 linking rings (you never know when Max might need those...  25.)  my wallet

 

Not pictured:  2 more ATM receipts, another tube of cherry chapstick and $0.67

 

My goodness...it's amazing I even found my car keys to drive home.  Or that I don't need some sort of corrective shoulder surgery from hauling all that crap around.  I streamlined those contents in a hurry and was back down to just the necessary bits.  But man, mom - I totally get it.  When you are rushing around (say from the grocery store...to work...to music class...to home again) you end up just throwing a bunch of random bits in your fanny pack/purse/clutch/backpack/satchel....whatever...and you don't think much of it...because you never know when you might need a sweet potato...or two! :)

 

xoxo



A Weekend In Dayton

It was Grandpa Tim's birthday on Friday....so Mama and Max hit the road for some fun in Dayton. 

(Papa Rob stayed home to work on some things around the house, work with a friend on a house he's flipping, and go out with another good friend for his birthday.  Papa Rob totally deserves some time with his friends ...as he is always encouraging me to hang out with mine!)

 

Friday morning wake up!

(I can hardly stand how cute Max is in his two piece jammies!)

 

I took the whole day off from work on Friday and ended up taking Max to school for the first half of the day.  During this time I grocery shopped, sorted his old clothes (we are officially almost out of the nine month clothes), did some laundry, and packed up the car.  By the time 1:00 rolled around, I could hardly wait to see him!  I miss him so much during the day :)  He slept the whole ride to Dayton (such a good boy!) - and by the time we arrived the sun was still shining. 

The temperature read 67 degrees...I could hardly believe my eyes! 

We decided to make the most of it by taking a little walk on the nature trail at St. Leonards.

This was obviously the perfect time to bust out Max's sunglasses. 

 

 

 

Look at us - no mittens!  No hats! No gloves!

It felt so great to be out with the sunshine on our shoulders.

We finished up our walk and headed over to Babies R' Us

(picked up a boster high chair for Max)

and finally ended up at Marions Pizza. 

The birthday boy requested chocolate pie for his birthday...and it was delicious!

(Grandpa Tim is looking good at 62!)

 

Saturday rolled around and we had big plans....which included seeing the Easter Bunny!

 

 

I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into the pictures.  Max is all over the

place these days...and sitting still is not on his list of favorite things to do. But,

the people at Moto Photo know what they are doing.  First - they were fast!  Second - they

waited for him to get comfortable with the flash and they let me be very close by (which I think made Max feel secure).  Not only did he sit still...he didn't even try to pet the bunny.  In fact, at one point the bunny hopped out of the basket and Max got this look on his face like "um, is someone going to get that animal?!"  The above picture isn't even the best - though, it's classic Max face. We bought the package where we got five images and the copyright's to them - and then five sheets of pictures.  So, if you read this blog - you're probably getting a picture :)

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing with all the new fun toys...

 

 

helping Grandmim with the laundry...

 

(blurry photo - but funny moment as Max put one of his toys

in the dryer and it was banging around until we figured out what was going on).

 

heading out on the town for dinner at Figlio...

(what a genius...he can write his name ;)

 

 

and finishing off Grandpa's birthday pie...

turns out Max is a big fan of chocolate pie too!

 

 

Sunday came too quickly....but we made the most of it with a quick

trip to see Auntie Kathy (why didn't we take a picture??) and helping Grandpa Tim

set up his new I-Pod nano.  Before we knew it...it was time to head home. :(

Don't get me wrong - we were excited to see Papa Rob...but man it felt so great to be at home too!

 

Also - best birthday wishes to Grandma Sugar...who celebrated a birthday this week too!

We send our love your way :)

 

XoXO

Feeling Lucky

In the craziness that can be our every day life - sometimes I forget just how lucky I am.

In the spirit of St. Patrick's day here's a pretty comprehensive list:

 

Lucky to have found this guy....

(then)

 

(he fully committed to the crazy when he donned this holiday vest)

 

(and now)

 

Lucky to have traveled to some pretty great places...

(Sedona, AZ)

 

(Multnomah Falls, Oregon)

 

(Saint Lucia - Honeymoon!!)

 

Lucky to have supportive, loving family...

 

 

 

 

 

Lucky to have jobs and great co-workers/friends

 

Lucy to have added a little leprachaun to our family this year..

 

 

(I literally could have done a jig myself when Grandmim found this top at Once Upon a Child and those curly locks...what a cutie!!)

 

We are feeling especially fortunate to have a healthy, happy

Mr. Maxwell O'Hauck in the mix this year. 

He is truly our "pot of gold"!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 

 

xOxO



Week-ending

We had our second "trifecta" weekend in a row!  This is a term that Auntie Stacy and I dubbed for weekends where we get to see her Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Honestly, since Max has been born, I crave having family around us all the time.  It's so nice to have an extra set of hands, and in Stacy's case, she often plays the "voice of reason" to Rob and I's crazy (she plays wrestle mania with Max...haha!) 

Without further ado - I present our weekend!

 

Friday:// Work for the bigs, School for the wee man, play time, Pizza Party with Auntie Stacy (I'm obsessed with earning Papa John's points thanks to the lovely Candice), show off Max's artwork, bath time/bottle/bed, and Scandal (that I DVR'd from Thursday).

 

(sporting the first of his St. Patty's tees)

(not too thrilled to be showing off his artwork...)

 

(hanging with Auntie Stacy)

 

Saturday:// rise and shine early with daddy, up from first nap in time for St.Patrick's day parade in Dublin, green bagels, shamrock sunglasses, shamrock shake, Babies R'Us visit for some gates, another Auntie Stacy visit with dinner, Max goes to bed and we attempt some "green" rice krispy treats!

(this parade is SO.MUCH.FUN!!)

 

(love shamrock shake season from McDonalds!)

 

(afternoon snack of hummus and crackers - this child loves hummus!)

 

(on our weekly grocery trip...we also picked up a new ball for Max)

(more play time with Auntie Stacy - it never gets old!)

 

Sunday:// woke up early with Mommy and had wheat toast, scrambled eggs, and cantaloupe for breakfast, after nap #1 we went to Lowes for a new kitchen sink faucet, swung by Old Navy for khaki pants, home for nap #2, off to Auntie Stacy's for dinner while daddy stays home to install our new baby gate...fall asleep in the car on the way home which made for a tough bed time :( 

 

(Auntie Stacy has the coolest toys!)

 

(all I wanted was a picture of Max's shirt that said "Mommy's lucky charm"...

instead I got the "deer in the head lights look")

 

(I think Max is sad that it's the end of the weekend!)

 

While I used to stress about all the things that need to get done on the weekends (and believe me, the list is always long).  More recently I have tried to just relax and be okay with a smaller amount of items getting checked off.  So, if you come over - the floor may or may not be vacummed, there will likely be toys scattered about, and most definitely the laundry will not be done.  But you know what - that's not really what matters.  I don't want Max to remember me as some crazy lady always running in circles marking items off her "to do list".  I'd rather he think I'm a fun mom - one that likes to go outside, let's him get dirty, and puts a priority on family.

I'd be more than okay with that.

xoxo