We're going private.

After reading boatloads of information regarding internet safety/privacy issues, I've decided to make our blog private. I've been public for a long while now, but I have to tell you, just lately, I have become anxious about staying that way. So, I did some research, and now I've decided that, for me, this is the best choice. Private. In 72 hours.

I know what you're thinking...you hate having to sign in...you hate having to email me and ask to be on the 'invited readers' list...you hate an extra step to any part of anything.

I get that. I really, really do.

But, the thing is, I hate the thought of pe.dop.hi.les enjoying photos of my boys. I hate the thought of hac.kers and creeps (who may be able to find a way in anyway, I realize) being freely given information about our id.en.ti.ties. I hate wondering if my number is up in bl.ogwo.rld and whether the baddies are all up in my bizzzzz all the time. And, you know what, I hate that stuff way more than you hate inconvenience.

So, there it is. We're going private. In 72 hours.

Contact me via email or fb, make sure to include your email address, and I'll gladly add you to 'The List.' Also, I know there are a few of you who read here but that we don't talk on a regular basis. No shame to that game, girlfriends...just shoot me your info via email, and I'll add you too!

Thanks for understanding, y'all. See ya on the other side...

The blahs

Every room in my house is messy. Every. Single. Room. I haven't showered since Monday morning...and even so, I didn't get to dry my hair afterwards, so it totally doesn't count as a real shower. There are countless half-drunk bottles of apple juice scattered about this place. That's right...BOTTLES. Sippy cups are being rejected at this particular moment in time. You know what else is scattered about this place? Everything.

Henry can't keep his hands off my new breast pump...doesn't matter if it's in use or idle...he loves. I love too (the pump, that is...not Mr. Grab-at). It's made by Lansinoh. Speaking of Lansinoh, I'm irked at them, because right after I give them such mad props on my blog for their bitchin' breastpads, they go and change the design. New design = stooooooopid.

Jameson grew out of all of his 6 month clothes already...yes, he's huge. Mr. Bigs also has a little patch of cradle cap that I've been itchin' to get at with baby oil and a comb. But where, oh where, is the baby oil???

I'm pretty sure I have a husband and that he's the cute guy that keeps coming in around 5 or 6, cooking dinner, and taking the reins so I can get my head back above water. One day soon, I'm going to have a start-to-finish, uninterrupted conversation with that guy. If I can find a shower (a real one preferably) and manage to put some of this strewn-about crap away, that is...something about me and the house looking like this make me want to hide my head in shame from that cute guy.

On a brighter note, we've all slept through the night for a week straight (8 hours or more), so at least that's good.

Actually, it's all good. It's just been one of those weeks. One of those weeks where everything happens at once -- the summer heat arrives, the 2-year old doesn't want to stay inside anymore, baby brother gets a heat rash after three minutes outside, all the bills come due (who knew a few hives could be so expensive?!?), the baby wants to eat at the exact same time that the big brother wants to sit on mommy's lap or throw trucks at her face, the humidity is up, and Project BabyWeight is at an annoying standstill. The rooms are a mess, but naps are staggered instead of simultaneous this week. Quiet is hard to come by, and Calm is all but forgotten.

This, my friends, is what I call The Stay at Home Mommy Blahs. It happens to the best of us, and this week, it has gotten ahold of me.

Our week in pictures...

First, a shout-out to Henry's favorite time of the day (on Mondays and Thursdays anyway!). This is his "garbage friend." He's telling him about "the big green truck that mushes the trash."

Hi, sweetface.

James is the happiest baby IN THE WORLD.

These dudes are BFFs.

Happy Mother's Day! Henry made me this awesome stepping stone for our house...love, love, love. Mommy likes her babies like she likes her cookies - chocolate-covered with sprinkles on top. :)

2 months old!! Very squeezable and delicious...

2-month old picture with the puppy from Paw Paw.

Wild Man at the park.

I'm so glad it's almost time for another weekend. I absolutely LIVE for weekends.

2 months old!

Let's face it, 2-month olds don't 'do' very much. So, suffice it to say that Baby J has hit all of the normal developmental milestones for his age. As for stats, proud grandparents, here they are:

weight: 14 lbs. 10 ozs.
length: 23.5 in. (I think he's actually longer than this...he was very squirmy during measuring...I'm going to measure him when he wakes up to double-check)
head circ: 16.5 in.

Big Brother Henry accompanied us to the 2-month check-up today. He was so sweet and concerned the whole time, and he even told the nurse "NO!" when she gave Jameson his first shot. This was the first time I've ventured into a place of business with the two of them by myself...and I'm pleased as punch to say it went just fine.

It's naptime at the Chesser house, so I've gotta go. I'll post a 2-month photo later on today along with my AWESOME Mother's Day presents from the boys.

Happy belated Mom's Day to all of the fab ladies who check in on my blog -- especially my mom, Jared's mom, Nana, and Betsy!!

catalog browsing

Just about everyday, Henry and I go out to get the mail together after he wakes up from his nap. We run (read: he runs, I chase him) down the driveway, into the street, and to the mailbox. Once we open it and get the goods out, we go through it together. Lots of things are just "trash." We take those to the garbage can on our way back inside. We call all envelopes (i.e. bills) "daddy mail"...ha. And, then there are the catalogs. Some of these are "trash" and others demand a quick browse.

We sit on the driveway to sort and browse. Henry in my lap. Can you picture us??

Okay, so the other day, we got a boatload of Mother's Day catalogs. Treasure trove! Lots to browse. As we were perusing the Kohl's catalog, Henry spots a lady donning only her underthings - a cute matchy bra and panty set, if you must know.

For a moment I contemplate all the pop-culture musings on modesty, propriety, and oversexualization of kiddos at a young age. He breaks this dumb train of thought in typical, hilarious fashion.

He says to me, "Mommy...lady?" Me: "Yes Henry, there's a lady." Him: "Pretty...pretty lady, mommy." Me: "Yeah, buddy, she IS pretty." Him: "Lady go to pool??"Me: *sigh* "Yep, she sure is going to the pool!"

The newest and littlest...

Announcing (officially):


I'm sure I'm breaking all sorts of etiquette rules by a) waiting/procrastinating on this project until 2 months after the baby was born and b) blogging the announcement before it's actually been mailed. Oh well...Emily Post gave up on me a loooong time ago, anyway.

Hope y'all like these as much as I do!!

**Note - I totally nabbed this blog idea from a girlfriend of mine, B.E., so, if she happens to stop by, I hope she remembers that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Love the blog announcement idea!!

a few pictures...

1 month old (from a few weeks ago...obviously).Henry trying to help James brush his teeth.Being 1-month old makes me sleeeeeepy.Muscles!! Brothers.

It's my first day in Size 2 diapers (7 weeks, 2 days)!! Such a big boy!My sweet 7 1/2 week smile...

Naptime now...see y'all.