One of these things is just like the other.

I'm sorry for the delay in doing Chase's birthday post but this past weekend was a rough one. Not only did Chase turn 2 this weekend, we also lost my grandfather to cancer. So it's been hard deciding which one to post about. It just felt wrong posting about one and not the other. Since Chase (and I) wouldn't be here if it weren't for my grandfather, doing both in one post seems right, in the end.

I love you and will miss you, Grandpa. Thank you for all you've ever done for us, which was so much.






Chase's two years in review:

October 2004



November 2004


December 2004


January 2005


February 2005


March 2005


April 2005


May 2005


June 2005


July 2005


August 2005


September 2005


October 2005


November 2005


December 2005


January 2006


February 2006


March 2006


April 2006


May 2006


June 2006


July 2006


August 2006


September 2006


October 2006


Happy Birthday Chase!

Shakin' it like a Salt Shaker

This morning Chase and I decided to clean out his bedroom of outdated toys and clothes. With his birthday coming next weekend, we (I) figured it was probably time. While spending all this time in his room, Chase came across a toy that he hasn't played with in a while and was so excited. It's a little basketball goal and each time something goes through the hoop, music plays or people cheer. Chase quickly figured out that you only have to hit the little lever with your hand to make the music play. As you will see in the video below (assuming YouTube has decided to be kind today), I think what they say is definitely true. He is a dance, dance, dance, dance, dancin' machine. Watch him get down.



By the way, Chong the cat does not enjoy Basketball Music Playing Toy. And yes, during the video I may have given him a little tap (I did not say "kick") around the one minute mark to stop the meowing. You'll notice it only worked temporarily.

If you're gonna do it, do it right.

Wednesday Chase and I went with my sister, Katie, and my nephew, Jackson, to visit my dad at his fire station downtown. Chase loves to go and see the huge fire trucks. So we were enjoying our visit when I got a sniff of something foul. I very nicely asked Chase if he had a dirty diaper. He looked at me, rolled his eyes and said, "Oh God! Poopy Diaper!" I of course was highly embarrassed and promptly reminded him that we don't ever say, "Oh God" but that he should always follow it up with "Damn" if he wants to do it right.

Living the Rock Star Life....Assuming the Rock Star is 90 years old.

Ew. Two weeks without a post? Let's see, what exciting things have been going on with me? Hmmm. Yeah, nothing. But it seems that I've been so busy. I guess just busy with non-blogable things. So, you are stuck with a boring post. I could tell you about how I made a complete fool of myself in the parking lot this morning or how I made a complete fool of myself in front of the speaker that was giving a coding seminar last week. But, maybe another day. However, I'm only working two days this week and then Chuck, Chase and I are off to Omaha to go to the zoo. So when we return, I'll have much more to say. That is of course, unless I make a fool of myself in front of the giraffes.

Prisoner vs. The Pink Blob

The prisoner, sensing his chance, leaps into his Limited Edition Sky King and desperately tries to make his getaway!



But alas, a pink beast emerges from the fog to bring this fugitive back to his captors. Her grasp of the back of his neck is just too powerful.



"Stand back, evil ogre!" shouts the prisoner. "I will force this comb upon your nappy hair if you do not get back!"



Sadly though, the prisoner was no match for the Pink Blob. He finds himself back behind bars later that day.

A Word to the Wise...

If one day you decide that you are really out of the loop and should really be watching the TV show "24" and you put it in your Netflix queue, when you receive it, DO NOT watch episode after episode and then immediately go to bed. All night you will dream of being trapped in your ex boyfriend's home, while knowing that HE IS ACTUALLY THE ONE TRYING TO BLOW UP L.A. AND MY GOD I MUST TELL JACK BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! L.A. IS GOING TO BE BOMBED, PEOPLE! WHY CAN I NOT FIND THE RIGHT KEY TO GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE?? (Why I need a key to get OUT of the house, I'm not sure. Last time I checked, you only needed a key to get IN, but whatever.) So, keep that in mind next time you want to have a "24" marathon before bed. Saving the world is very stressful.

I'm going to Jackson...

Jackson Wayne Campbell is here!! He was born Saturday morning at 9:03. He weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. We couldn't be happier!

Proud Aunt Tiff




Proud Uncle Chuck

Legacy Farm

We went to visit Chuck's family this weekend. They board and show horses so Chase always loves to visit their farm. They have such beautiful horses and they just bought a new one this weekend. We had a great time and they fed us brownies and ice cream. We might just move in, if they aren't careful.

Speckles is the new one:




This is one of their newer babies.


This is Chase's practice horse...


but this one is his favorite.

Video! We have video!

So here's my first attempt at video. Now I feel the need to give fair warning here, my bedroom is a mess. There are shoes strung everywhere and there is just a general appearance of messiness and I do apologize, however, this is just too much cuteness not to share with the world. And just so you know I'm not a complete pig, the shoes are everywhere because of the little man in the following video. He loves our shoes and empties our closet any chance he gets. My house isn't usually this disgusting but my son IS usually this cute. Next time I promise I'll pay much more attention to lighting and background. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Well, I do apologize. It looks as though You Tube, the site that is hosting my Chase video, has chosen today to be the day that they do some maintenance to their site. Of course. So, if you are reading this post and you don't see the video below, it's because You Tube is still down. Hopefully it will be back soon...or else I might cry.

You can't say that he isn't learning.

Recently we've been working with Chase on how to be kind to animals...mainly our pets...whose tails he loves to yank...and whose fur he likes to pull. Now I'm not going to point any fingers but I know a certain cat who has some patches of fur missing. So when he's being rough with them, we'll firmly tell him, "No, Chase. Be nice to kitty. Niiiiiice to kitty." as we are showing him how to pet nicely.

One of Chase's favorite games right now, other than pulling on our pets, is to pounce on his father. He counts to 3 and then jumps onto Chuck usually getting the desired result of an "oomph" from Chuck as the 1 year old lands on his gut. Chase loves this. It always makes him laugh so of course, he does it again. and again. and again. And when he's finished, I make him do it some more because I think it's funny too. And really, it's giving Chuck's abs a workout if you think about it. Chase gives him fair warning with a 1, 2, 3 count so he has time to prepare for the pounce by tightening those muscles. It's a win-win situation.

So last night, Chase was making his nightly pouncing rounds and all was well until he missed. He pounced a little lower on his father's body. Needless to say, this did not go over well. The sound that came out of Chuck's mouth sent Chase looking for cover. He found my lap and I held him as his dad assumed the fetal position and tried to catch his breath. As Chuck was in his own world of pain, Chase just watched with big eyes and the saddest little frown. I held him close, told him it was ok and repeated a few times that he needed to be gentle with Daddy. After a few minutes of rocking himself back and forth, Chuck finally came back to Earth. Chase went straight over to him, looked him in the eye, and petted Chuck's leg while saying, "Niiiiiice Daddy".

I think he's finally catching on.

Shutterfly, oh Shutterfly, how I love you, Shutterfly.

Today I'm going to sing the praises of my favorite online photo center, Shutterfly. I've been using this website to upload my digital pictures for quite a while now. I upload to them, pay a processing fee and they send me my pictures. Obviously my activity has increased with them over the past couple years due to the high level of cuteness going on at my house (see below).



From time to time, they email specials they are having (discounted prints, free shipping, etc.)and sometimes they'll even email me free things (prints, 8x10s, etc.). Recently however, they have gone above and beyond, which is why I am singing their praise today. They are giving me a free hardbound photo book and I'm so excited I good spit! (and I don't spit so that should just tell you how damn happy I am). I've been coveting these for quite a while but just haven't been able to justify it. Now I'm no fool. I'm fully aware that Shutterfly knows that I will be addicted to these now and will look for any possible reason to make one. It's true but...well, I'm still happy as hell and if all goes smoothly, these might just be what people get for Christmas.



Wahoo! Thank you Shutterfly!

Those smiles...

Due to heartbreaking circumstances, my sister-in-law and my nephews are moving home from Texas. Even though it's not the ideal situation, I have to admit that I'm excited to see them. Please wish them the best of luck!

A Small Glimpse into my Future as a Little League Mom

If it's going to bring me these kind of smiles, I'll take it.

A Cuddly Moment for a Crappy Monday

The Beast Begins to Take Form

*Click here for the previous post on this topic.*