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Something that makes me happy: Raising over $10,000 for the National MS Society made me very happy this week!

Something I’m thinking: Weekends are much too short now that I’m back to work.

Something I’m hoping: I hope that Cullen gets over this whole hatred of the car thing. I thought it was better this past week, but I was wrong. In the past few days, he has gone back to hating it again. Not fun.

Something happening around the house: We’ve been playing outside with Maddie quite a bit lately! Her favorite toy right now is her bubble mower.

Something I’m reading: Um, it’s taking me a really long time to get through Sugar Queen. I should probably start on the next book club selection, or I’ll never finish it on time.

Something I’m watching: We are now caught up on Glee! We added it to our DVR list. Now it’s going to be hard to wait a week between each episode!

Something tasty: Mmmm….peanut butter toast is yummy!

Something Maddie is doing (26 months old): We were shocked when Maddie ate mixed veggies this week – lima beans, carrots, corn, green beans. She’s usually not a great veggie eater, so this was quite the breakthrough. Hopefully, it wasn’t a fluke! She likes playing outside, art projects (painting at school and crayons and markers at home), play dough, her baby doll and accessories, and books. She’s been interested in numbers and counting. She is doing fabulously in her big girl bed! We have been shocked at how easy the transition has been. Amazing.

Something Cullen is doing (13 weeks old): He started his first week of “school” and has been adjusting fairly well (better than his Mommy!). He has been sleeping quite a bit (especially at school). He has been restless at night but still sleeps the majority of the night. It would be nice if he was a little less wiggly! We’re still waiting for him to magically sleep through the night. We had a couple of “bad” nights this week which are still pretty easy when you compare them to Maddie’s bad nights at his age. I’m thankful for perspective.

Something I am struggling with: It’s an adjustment figuring out the new routine and juggling two kids now that I’m back at work.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: We ended up raising over $10,000 for the MS Walk! Wow! We were recognized for an “Above and Beyond” award at the walk.

Something I learned: Instead of learning what happened on Amazing Race, I got to see news about a tornado NOWHERE CLOSE TO HOME. Hopefully, we’ll be able to watch it some other way before hearing spoilers.

Something I’m looking forward to: Book club and photo sessions with Catherine.

Something random: My sister says that there are catfish that can grow to be over 300 pounds, AND THEY CAN EAT PEOPLE. She’s a vet, so I’m going to trust her. She knows about animals. I think I’ll stay out of the river.

Something captured: Maddie and her next door neighbor boyfriend. They are so excited to play together. Maddie talks about him all the time. When we get home from daycare, she asks for two things: to push her bubble mower and to play with Anton. Very cute.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

I can’t believe my sweet baby boy is already 3 months old. Babies sure do change fast, and I know we’re going to see even more changes and milestones over the next few months. So, here’s the next installment in the letters to Cullen series. (more…)

We had a successful fundraiser at Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Cary last week! The unofficial numbers indicated that we increased their sales by almost 50%. They will be donating over $130 to our cause. Hooray for Team B-Patrol and the National MS Society!

We only have a few more days until our big race, and we can still use your help. Donate today by following this link and then clicking on a team member to help them make their goals.

Click on the photo to see the rest of the album.

Since we didn’t have too many plans this past weekend, we decided to start the transition to Maddie’s big girl bed on Friday night. Friday night went very well. She didn’t seem to have trouble going to bed in her new big girl room (complete with mural). She did wake up a couple of times, including once when she sat up a bit disoriented and fell off the edge of the mattress. We just have a twin mattress on the floor for now. Based on what Gabe saw on the video monitor when she fell, we are glad that we decided to keep her low to the floor! It seems that she has no memory of the event, which is a very good thing. I didn’t want her to be scared of her new bed. Maddie went right back to sleep after a little patting. The second night went even better. She did wake up a little earlier both times than she would normally, but hopefully that will change once she gets adjusted. She hasn’t quite figured out that she can get out of the bed herself, and we’re not going to let her in on that little secret!

She was very excited after her first nap in the big girl bed on Saturday. Click on the post to see the embedded video. This was the first video taken with my new camera!

I get overwhelmed managing all the photos that we take, but that doesn’t even compare to how I feel about managing video. I don’t even take that much video, and I find it very overwhelming! These clips were taken about a month ago when we decided that Cullen was intentionally rolling over. He rolled over a couple of times when he was just a few weeks old, but we were pretty sure he wasn’t doing it on purpose. About a month ago, just after he turned 2 months old, we decided he was definitely doing it on purpose. For the past month, almost every time we put him on his belly, he flips to his back. Guess he found a way around that dreaded tummy time!

He has a different style than Maddie. When she rolled over from her belly to her back, it was not at all graceful. It happened in one sudden movement and usually startled herself and everyone around her. Cullen is a bit more graceful. He uses his head to start the roll and then just sort of wiggles over with a little kick. This video was taken in those first few days. He has since refined his technique. Click on the original post to see the embedded video.

Something that makes me happy: Maddie and I went to buy a new camera yesterday! I got a little Canon Powershot and, wow, is it tiny! I thought my old small camera was tiny, but this one is even smaller. I love it so far! I kept my old one for almost 4 years which is a really long time for me to keep just about any electronic equipment.

Something I’m thinking: I’m still not recovered from our trip to Florida…and I have to go back to work tomorrow?

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping for a smooth transition back to work. I’m thankful for my 12 weeks at home, but it does not feel like nearly enough time to me. Cullen is still so young. He still needs me quite a bit! I did a little research on parental leave in other countries. The wikipedia entry would have you believe that the United States is just about the only country without some form of paid leave. Even the unpaid leave under FMLA is shorter than the paid leave in most countries (and only larger companies have to offer it). I’m lucky that some of my leave was paid at all.

Something happening around the house: We prepped Maddie’s big girl room for her transition. We still have some finishing touches to put on her room (plus at some point, we should decide what furniture we want in there as right now she only has a mattress on the floor). This means the nursery will be ready for Cullen when he’s ready to move to the crib (or when we are ready, whichever comes last).

Something I’m reading: I read a little bit of The Sugar Queen, again.

Something I’m watching: We watched a few more episodes of Glee. We finished the first disc and the next two discs should be arriving in the mail via Netflix Monday or Tuesday! We got our Wii disc to “watch instantly” through the Wii. Aside from some decent television shows, I’m not very impressed with the instant watch offerings.

Something tasty: Um…nothing immediately stands out in my mind. I’m looking forward to having Salsa Chicken tonight, though. We meant to make this meal a couple times this week but forgot to prep for the crock pot early enough.

Something Maddie is doing (25 months old): Friday night was a big night for her! Friday was the first night that she spent in her big girl bed in her new room!!! She has now spent two nights and a nap in the big girl bed, and it seems to be going very well! I hope that the transition continues to be this smooth. The first night, she woke up a little confused at some point and sat up with her back to the edge of the mattress and fell out of the bed (fortunately, her “bed” is just a twin sized mattress placed on the floor). I don’t think that she remembers this happening, thank goodness. Gabe managed to see it happen on the video monitor. Aside from that, the worst part has been that she’s been waking up a tad earlier than normal. Hopefully, she will sleep in a little later once she is used to her new room. She has stayed in her bed, even when she wakes up in the morning. I am not sure if she’s aware that she can actually get out of the bed by herself and explore the room when we’re not there. I’m not going to let her in on the secret!

Something Cullen is doing (12 weeks old): Cullen met his teachers and starts his first day of daycare tomorrow. I am so sad! When he met his teachers, he showed off his rolling over skills. They were all impressed. He continues to smile, loves to be near Mommy (especially in the evening – he then demands to be near Mommy), sleeps a good amount during the day, likes the pink swing, has started trying to reach for toys, and hates tummy time. At least for tummy time, he has figured out how to roll over to avoid the dreaded tummy time. When he’s really upset, he doesn’t seem to be able to figure out how to roll over. Other times, he flips over to his back almost instantly. He nurses around 9 or 10 and can usually go until about 3am before his next feeding. He doesn’t always sleep right away at 9 or 10, but we are making progress towards “sleeping through the night.” This past week, we have tried putting him in the bassinet at 9pm while we are in the other room. He can sense that I’m not nearby and does not like this at all. He also doesn’t like getting put back into the bassinet after his 3am feeding.

Something I am struggling with: Going back to work tomorrow.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: We are in the final week before our MS Walk! Please help Team B-Patrol make their goals! Donate today! Every little bit helps.

Something I learned: I learned that I’m a rare case when it comes to local anesthesia for dental work. The anesthesia apparently wears off quicker on me than it does with most people. This has resulted in a few traumatic dental experiences (though fortunately this week’s episode was not during the drilling. It was still painful during the filling process, yikes!). This is one of the many reasons that I’m a squeamish dental patient. Ugh!

Something from last week: I have still been thinking about Disney quite a bit and look forward to taking the kids back in a few years. I’ve also been thinking about other trips that we might take. This is a little surprising considering how awful the drive to and from Florida was! You’d think I wouldn’t want to travel for a long, long time. We had a good turnout for the Five Guys fundraiser! I think that they will be donating over $130 to our cause. I had hoped for a little more, but that’s not bad considering that I just had to ask friends to come out and eat.

Something I’m looking forward to: The MS Walk next Saturday!

Something random: Every day, Maddie asks for “two marshmellows.” She is allotted two mini marshmellows a day as a special treat, usually after nap or school. “Daddy, I want two marshmellows!”

Something captured: My sister and me at the Five Guys fundraiser. Check out our spiffy Team B-Patrol t-shirts!

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

The last television update was back in November, so it’s about that time for another update. What are we recording these days on our DVR?

These are the shows that we’re currently watching:

90210: Once again, yes, I am still watching this one. It’s my biggest guilty pleasure of the lineup. It’s been a good one for me to watch during the day while on maternity leave. Gabe is not interested in it, but he probably knows more about this show than he’s willing to admit. I’m still enjoying it!

Ace of Cakes: This is another one that tends to get played during the day since I’m on maternity leave. Once I go back to work, we might not have time to keep up with it. It seems like they don’t have that many new episodes, anyway, so it’s not that big of a commitment to watch it.

The Amazing Race 16: I always have to watch Amazing Race! It’s hard to know who to root for this season. Lots of annoying teams this season. I thought I’d be annoyed by the cowboys, but they actually are pretty amusing. I’m rooting for either them or the father/daughter team. The detectives are starting to grow on me, too. Most of the other teams annoy me! (I wrote this little blurb before the father/daughter lost – so much for them! Go Cowboys!)

American Idol: Gabe and I have only watched this once together (and I’ve only seen one other season in addition to that). I was interested this season to see Ellen as one of the judges. We have enjoyed watching it. I would buy Crystal’s album for sure. She’s so good! I hope she wins.

Cake Boss: Again, we’re still recording it and I catch up on most episodes during the day. I don’t think they have that many episodes, either, so it’s not too hard to stay caught up with this one. Still love the cake shows, but I have to say that I only pay half attention to them. I even miss the big reveals sometimes. The cake shows rarely get my undivided attention.

Chuck: Still one of my favorites! It seems like they are going in some different directions with Chuck becoming an official spy, but I hope that they will be able to maintain the show’s dynamics. I’m sure that they will find a way. We were excited and glad that some of his friends know about his secret spy life. The stuff with Morgan and Captain Awesome has been pretty funny. Will they let Chuck have a relationship with Sarah (or anyone for that matter)?? His awesome super skills this season with the upgraded Intersect is fun.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show: I’m sure we’ll stop recording this one when I go back to work next week. I have enjoyed watching the Ellen show while I’m home with Cullen! She cracks me up.

Gossip Girl: Yep, still watching it. I actually think this is a pretty good show, though I could see why not everyone would like it. I’m less interested in Jenny story lines which seem to be pretty common this season. I’m happy about some of the relationship pairings this season, even though I’m sure most of them won’t last.

Grey’s Anatomy: This one has almost been dropped several times. It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that sometimes we have too much to watch. I can’t let it go, though. I think Gabe doesn’t care about it as much these days, but I still want to see it through to the end…whenever that may be. I still like it.

Lost: Yeah!!! I’m sad that this is the last season. I’m eager to get answers and wondering how the heck they are going to do it with only a few episodes left. Good stuff, that Lost.

Parenthood: We picked up this new series, and so far we’re enjoying it. Of course, sometimes it’s a little depressing or intimidating as it reminds us of all the challenges that we might have to face in our future! Wait a minute, TV isn’t supposed to remind us of real life!

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains: We thought we needed some more shows to watch this season, so we picked up on Survivor again. I was excited since it was an All-Stars season of sorts. It’s fun to see so many of the players that we’ve watched in the past. I’m enjoying this whole Heroes vs. Villains thing. I’m sad that Boston Rob and James are gone. They are fun to watch. Oh well…I guess we should figure out who we’re going to root for. Since the teams haven’t merged yet, it’s a little early to decide.

Undercover Boss: We caught this show one time since it comes on after Amazing Race. I thought it was going to be all about finding out about employees cheating their companies and doing a bad job, but it is actually an inspiring show. Most of the stories revolve around the front line entry level employees and stories about their hard work. Then the company usually does something nice for them like provide a scholarship or start a program at work based on something that the employee needed. I like these types of stories way better than the alternative. Good show.

Shows that Gabe records and allegedly watches when I’m not around:

John Calipari Show: I’m guessing we won’t get too many more new episodes of this one until the fall. It’s been a big year for Kentucky basketball.

Stargate Universe and Sanctuary: I haven’t even noticed if these are recording any new episodes lately. I assume that Gabe has been staying caught up on them, though.

Shows we watch sometimes when we have nothing else to watch:

Jeopardy: We still record this daily and watch it a little bit more than we have in the past, but our television viewing is pretty full right now so there’s not much time for Jeopardy. With me home on maternity leave, we’ve had a little more time since we can catch up on shows sometimes during Gabe’s lunch break.

Shows we liked that were canceled:

Dollhouse: Boo! I hate that this was canceled, though we were not surprised. Of course, it’s hard to be successful in the Friday night spot and was the show really promoted all that much? I guess that the loyal Joss Whedon following isn’t enough to keep his shows from being canceled. What a shame.

Shows we dropped because we never really watched them:

Lie to Me: I don’t remember if we decided to drop this one because it was conflicting with other shows or we just weren’t watching it. Maybe it was both. We thought we would like to watch this show, but we ended up letting it sit on the DVR until it was taking up too much space. Oh well. Maybe it’s a good one to catch on DVD later?

FlashForward: Sounded good but we just never got around to watching it. We figured we can just Netflix it if we hear enough good things about it. Haven’t heard anything about it, aside from sometimes seeing a trailer when fast forwarding commercials.

My sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in early 2007. A variety of emotions ran through our family. We have focused positive energy towards raising money and awareness for the National MS Society, particularly the Eastern North Carolina Chapter. We participated in our first Triangle MS Walk in 2008, and this will be our third year. We have raised over $18,000 with our efforts (including this year).

We are excited about how many funds we have been able to raise so far this year. We even raised our goals to $9000. Since we made so much in the yardsale last fall, we knew we needed to set our goals high. We are still short of our goals. Every little bit helps. We are a little over a week away from the walk and would love your support. Your donations will help fund research as well as provide assistance and services to the nearly 5,000 people in Eastern NC living with MS.

Brendon says, “please click on my photo and donate today!” Click on any team member in the list to make a donation on their page.

I decided this year would be a good time for Maddie to dye Easter Eggs for the first time. Gabe was skeptical, but I promised that I would handle the festivities. We did it when Nana was visiting. Maddie really enjoyed it! We opted for the most basic Easter Egg dying kit which was plenty for us this year. I wrote our names on the eggs and dyed them. Maddie put on the finishing touches with the stickers. She had so much fun with this activity! Click on the photo to see the rest of the album.

We brought a special snack of mini cupcakes and cheddar bunnies to Maddie’s classroom for her daycare birthday party. We didn’t take very many photos, but we did take a few. Each kid got a summer party favor with a sand castle bucket, shovel, and bubbles. Click on the photo to see the rest of the album.