What's Happening Wednesday

posted by Kandi

Well, this post originally started out being about Andrea. See, this morning she left for the hospital after getting Evan onto the school bus. I anticipated writing about sending her well wishes and luck in the birth of her new little man (name to be revealed later).

Here they are. The vitals everyone wants to know! He weighed over 8 pounds, is 22 inches long and his name is Declan! Love the name!!

So, as I'm writing this message pops up on Twitter the same time my Facebook page alerts me to something as well. Being the super nosey person I am I stopped to look.

Guess what?? He's here!! Really! Talk about a short labor! Wow! Yet again, he IS number 4, so they do tend to be shorter labor times.

That being said, a huge Congratulations to both Andrea and Tom on the birth of their new little boy! Such a blessing and miracle all rolled into one!

ps. I will post the stats and such as I receive the information. Congrats Andrea, love you all very much and I hope Evan has the best day ever now that he has the little brother he's been asking for!!!!

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi




This week's edition of What Happened Wednesday s actually a What's Happening! My little man is using the potty!! I know, nothing too exciting about the potty...usually.

See, Ren is quite opinionated when it comes to well, everything. He's either a yes guy or a no guy and there isn't an in between. Since he turned 3 (yikes) in the summer we have been talking up going to the potty. Several times he got really interested in it, only to melt down when it came to the actual act of doing it. So, we gave up. Yes, you did read that correctly. We just gave up.

Finally around Christmas (of all the times, my son picks the busiest!) we were given some advice on how to get him started. The advice was to allow him to go to the rest room with Chuck and use the urinal. Maybe it wasn't he didn't want to potty. Maybe it was he didn't want to sit down and do it. Hmm, brilliant! So, we went to our local Wally World and let him do it. Lo and Behold it WORKED!!! I would have never in a million years guessed that would work.

Fast forward to the past 7 days. Ren is in big boy undies and getting the hang of the potty thing pretty well. We went from having the timer set for every 45 minutes to today not having to set it at all! I'm elated to say the least!

Now that we have conquered the potty (well with #1's at least) maybe just maybe we can conquer the "I never share my trains with my sisters" issue. Then again, maybe not....

Do you have any What Happened Wednesday stories to share? Feel free to link them up below or just post a message and share.




**The potty picture at the top is the the LATTSAM potty from Ikea. We have it and LOVE it's portablility, ease of use and that it can easily be stored without taking up too much room! They are sold for around $4 and this Mom recommends it! Also, I was not ask to recommend. I just purchased it last spring and it works well for mine so I thought I'd share!**

What Happened Wednesday.

What happened Wednesday is here again.

What happened to my little girl. Scarlett is 4 she will be 5 in a few weeks. She has learned so much this year just not always the things that she should be like reading and ect. Well lately she has learned something that is Oh so entertaining. Notice the sarcasm? She has learned the art of snapping. Yup she can snap her fingers.  She has also learned how to snap with attitude. Think ghetto girl snapping when she is talking to get her point across. Yup that is my Miss Scarlett. She is pretty funny when she does this. “Mommy I want toast” as she is snapping. She moves her arm and shakes her head as she does this. OH my she is only 4 and giving me drama. I guess her name does fit her. DRAMA.

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi

Good morning everyone! This post isn't going to be a What Happened, but a What's Happening, right now. As I sit here at my kitchen table, I keep glancing over my shoulder. Our kitchen window is behind me and the wind is howling through our little corner oh Ohio. Now, normally, wind doesn't bother me, but today it does. Why? Well, after the wind from Hurricane Ike blew through our area in September of 2008 I've been leery of powerful winds. According to our local weather people we are going to have similar winds to rip through our area today...oh what fun!

Photo by Lerxst Ohio, Courtesy of Flickr

Anyway, I just wanted to basically give everyone our local weather forecast for the day..haha. So, enjoy your snow, wind, rain, hail, sun, cloudy day! By tomorrow I may be blown into Oz...we'll see!

What Happened Wednesday: Conversations with a 2 year old

posted by Kandi

I actually wrote this yesterday...December 1, just for a time reference.

This afternoon I was checking my email and responding to things after a long morning. The kids were either napping or in the playroom playing. Suddenly, Courtney comes up the stairs and starts a conversation with me. Here is a small excerpt of it.

Me: Hi Court Court.
Her: Hi Mommee
Me: Whatcha doing?
Her: Want 'nack (snack)
Me: It's not snack time baby, it's almost time for supper.
Her: want sips.
Me: you want your sippy cup?
Her: want sips
Me: huh? what are sips Courtney? (here she points to the counter where Chuck had left out the bag of chips from lunch)
Me: Oh, you want CHIPS?
Her: Yesh, preeze
Me: No, baby. No chips.
Her: want butta (aka Peanut Butter)
Me: No Court, no peanut butter either
Her: But Mommee, I wike the butta.

Yes, I realize it's not THAT entertaining of a post. That said, this a typical conversation between the two of us. I remember when I wondered if this little girl would ever talk! She said barely 3 words by 18 months and I was beginning to think she never would talk. Then one day, she opens her mouth and said a 3 word sentence. I guess she was just waiting for a time to say something. Now she chats, holds pretty good conversations (for a 2 year old...haha), and LOVES to sing!! That's my girl!

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi

This weeks edition of What Happened Wednesday is going to focus on my little cutie Audrey.
She's usually an independent, head strong little girl. That's her. I wouldn't change a hair on her cutie patootie little blonde head. Sadly though, she has been replaced recently. Her spirit is diminishing right before my eyes. I first noticed it when I returned from my trip. She has been crying at school over things she usually would have shrugged off. She has been clingy at home and always wants to be right next to me or her Daddy. I'm not getting it. I called the pediatrician and they said it's probably a stage she's going through. Okay, maybe. That still doesn't help this Mom feel any better. I want my little girl back. I'm selfish like that though. I miss my little girl who didn't need to be told, she just knew what needed done. I want the little girl who doesn't take "No" for an answer, she negotiates to get it. The little girl who is bossy, studious, happy and laughs. I miss her. Come back soon Audrey...Mommy really hopes this stage ends soon!

So, my What Happened Wednesday question for you is this. How do you deal with stages in your children's development that are very much out of their character? How do you "weather the storm" so to speak?

What Happened Wednesday

Posted by kandi

This weeks what happened is What happened to Kandi. I haven't been around at all this week. There is a good reason though. I'm on Phoenix, Arizona. Why? I'm helping my Aunt move. It's going to be a fun drive across the country and I'm totally up for something like that!! I realize that may sound odd to some, but I love doing things like this. I'm really enjoying my time here! Phoenix is a very beautiful, vibrant, sunny place. The temps here were in the 90's yesterday with no clouds in the sky....my kind of town! I would have posted pictures with this, but forgot the cord to download them. Poo!

So, that's what's happening this week. What are you up to? Share it with us, we'd love to hear about it!

What happened Wednesday.

What happened Wednesday is here at last. Sorry about the delay but I will let you know in this post why.
What happened to Andrea.
My house has been so sick. This crap seams to be passing from person to person. Just when it reaches the last person you think you are in the clear but nope. It starts all over again. I have felt like death warmed over the past few days. My sweet little Scarlett has been such a mommies little helper. She would get me stuff that I needed and just let me rest. With the urging of my OB to take some Robitussin I am feeling a little better. Lets just say I can lift my head up with out wanting to pass out.
I have personally been able to keep Clorox and Lysol in business the past week in a half. Thank God for my stock pile of it. Though I think I may be needing to find some more sales to stock up again. (Why didn't I buy stocks in this)
Here is hoping your house is getting better also. What happened to my nice healthy family? Maybe a hazmat sprayer thing to kill the germs at my door will help. I didn't think so either so I guess some hot tea and rest will be in the cards for me.

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi


Today, and this is going to sound extremely self-centered, I'm wondering what happened to my day. It's after 2 already!! Yes, we did wake up about 45 minutes late this morning. I promise I have **no idea** how the alarm got shut off. Well, maybe I do, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it (as the song goes).

It just seems like today is flying by. Maybe because the weather here in Southern Ohio is nice. Maybe it's because the sun is out. Either way, it still going by fast.

Anyway, that's the only thing that popped into my mind when I finally got a moment to sit down and write this edition of What Happened Wednesday. Do you ever have days like mine. You know the ones...the go by faster than they should and you reflect back in the evening and think "wow, how in the world did I get all that done?!". Yeah, that's today for me.

Happy Wednesday to All!!!

what happened wednesday.

This is Dave. Dave is able to take care of himself he just chooses not to. Dave needs help with his finances, with cooking, cleaning and shopping. Most of the time, Dave acts like my 4th or 5th child. No, Dave is not unable to take care of himself. Dave lives on his own, has a job and NOTHING is wrong with him. Dave is also my dad.
My sister and I tend to baby my dad.
My sister and I are trying desperately to get him out of complete financial ruins. We have taken EVERYTHING from him. Check book, credit cards, debit cards you name it he has no access. He is now on an allowance. He has $200 per 2 weeks to buy gas, food and anything extra he may need.
I used to do his cleaning for him but I stopped that due to if you can’t pick up your own underwear why would I want to.
OK so now on to my, What Happened Wednesday? I needed to give you a quick introduction to this.
I have been working on my dad’s menu. It is really hard to cook and shop for other people. I have finally came up with the foods that I am going to make for him (that is a whole different post) Anyways I asked for my sister to bring his crock pot over to me in the morning so that I can make several meals at 1 time rather than just 1 per day. (He seams to think that I have all the free time in the world. I mean I only have 3 kids, pregnant, 2 dogs and a house to run. Lets not forget classes and homework.) Anyways today he is like you can have my crock pot and you can go buy me a new small one. I am like NO. I have my own I just need to borrow your crock pot so that I can cook YOUR food. DUH...He then complained to my sister that I wouldn't buy him one and that she should. She is like NO buy it yourself. We had to explain to him that he has to buy stuff that he wants with the money that he is allotted in his budget. I mean really do we need to wipe his butt for him also.
So what happened to parents taking care of themselves? Paying for themselves. Or just acting like responsible adults.

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi

For this week's edition of What Happened Wednesday I'm wondering what happened to weather around here in Southern Ohio. I'm not kidding when I say 2 weeks ago we were all in shorts and tees. Then we had a full 7 days worth of rain and dreary, icky, yucky weather.

Since fall officially started I think good ole Mother Nature took notice and thought, well heck, since it's technically fall I'll go ahead and give them the weather they usually get in November.

I really love the fall! It's my favorite time of year. Time to plant bulbs, pick apples, rake leaves and pick out pumpkins. I just didn't expect it to show up and be cold so soon. WOW!

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi

This week, my personal what happened Wednesday concerns my family. It's kind of a rant, kind of a why do they guilt people issue all rolled into one. Here's the story....

My Grammy turns 70 this year. This is kind of a big deal for my family it seems. I have a cousin who came up with an awesome idea to get her a Pandora bracelet (have you ever heard of one, I hadn't). Her idea is that we get the bracelet and every family contributes one stone/charm that has special meaning. My only issue with this is finances. Now, let me back up just a bit to tell you why.

Several years ago, Chuck and I were in a serious financial bind. While everyone else was spending freely, we were digging ourselves out of debt accumulated while in college and newly married. Since getting out of debt, we decided that it's cash or nothing. Our house would be an exception to this rule, but we paid cash for our cars (that are used), and don't have any credit cards. Along those same lines, up until about 3 months ago, we were enjoying the fruits of overtime and bonus' from Chuck's job, but that has all been "officially cut". Soooo, let's just say we have enough right now to stay afloat, but not a lot, if any leftovers. That being said back to the story.

I let everyone know about that our family wouldn't be participating and gave them the reason of finances. I didn't want to seem rude by just saying no, it is family you know. I let them know that at a later date we would be able to add our charm, but right now we just couldn't. Well, in my family that's notorious of guilt that's exactly what I received. Guilt. Lots of it. According to them the stones were only $25 and that wasn't a lot of money. Maybe not, but $25 bought the cheapest stones and I really didn't like any of those. Chuck and I had found one that we liked, but it's about $80. Okay, so we put a little back each payday and buy it in a couple of months. I didn't think that was too bad an idea. Do you think it is?

Here is my other issue, call me a baby or grandstanding or whatever. I feel really hurt by this. I mean, I love Grammy, the kids adore her as does Chuck. We see her nearly every day and take care of things for her on a pretty regular basis. She watches the kids when someone has a doctor appointment or something similar. She knows how important she is to me and my family. I don't think it would crush her if we didn't have a stone for her on her actual birthday (which is next week). Personally, the kids and I had planned on making her a cake and Audrey has been making her a card for about a week (or so she says...lol).

I just feel hurt by the guilt being tossed my way and inadvertently my family is making me feel extremely poor and inadequate. I won't apologize for not being able to get her a stone right now, but when we do get it I know she will like it (and probably laugh at the joke it represents).

Has anyone ever made you feel like this? Normally random everyday people can't do this to me, but with family it's a little different. I feel better just writing it down.....

What Happened Wednesday **updated**

posted by Kandi

Well, at the time I'm writing this I'm not sure if it has happened yet, but hopefully sometime today I will become an aunt for the 9th time!!! Yes, I'm a little excited. I love babies! I have my 3 and am extremely happy with that, but to hold a newborn baby is just something that is sooo special. The last one I saw was Andrea's little girl when she was born. I could have held her for HOURS...seriously!!

This is what is going to/has already happened on my Wednesday, how about yours? Share please! Oh, and don't worry, I WILL update this when the information is available and hopefully have a picture or two to share!!!

I do know that she is going to be a girl though. That still makes Ren the only boy in our family. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister and they all have girls!! Well, my baby brother doesn't have any kids, but he's still in college and has no inclination so far....or, had better not...got that Josh!!!!


**update** Well, she didn't actually make it for Wednesday, but Baby Gabi graced us with her presence early Thursday morning. She weighed in at a hefty 9 pounds 2 ouces (the biggest of all so far) and is 21 inches long. Chuck and I are planning on heading up there this evening to hold, cuddle and basically so I can get my "baby fix"...lol. I'll take pics then and I'm sure there will probably be a post about it at some point.

What Happened Wednesday

posted by Kandi

I was thinking this morning about what to post on this today. Then it dawned on me. I want to know what happened to my brain, seriously people! I know that I have one, science tells me that. What I want to know is what happened to it. Now, not to knock myself or anything, but I was once a smart person. I loved school, excelled in college and had a plan all laid out. Then it happened. I woke up one day and my intellectual brain was gone and in it's place was a brain that constantly says "no", "Dear Lord what happened now?", "yes, Mommy is mean", "Don't hit/bite/yell at your (insert sibling here)", etc... You know what I'm talking about. Kid lines. Now, I'm not saying having kids is the reason I no longer have a brain. They are a symptom...haha.

I just wonder what happened to all the stuff I used to know. Useful things, like...oh, how to start the lawnmower comes to mind. As does proper use for a bowl (they are not hats...). At one time I used to really truly enjoy listening to music. Anything! I'm not picky with genres or artist. Now though, if it's not Disney Princess, Imagination Movers, The Wiggles, or other such kiddie artists I just can't function. I think it's particularly sad that as a Mom who loved to go out dancing I now know all the movements to many random kid songs. My specialties being the Movers and Wiggles.

I also know that at one point, my mind was chock-full of recipes that we had/wanted/were going to try. Now, if Mac-n-Cheese isn't with the meal, it's a total loss (maybe a slight exaggeration there, but you get the point).

As the last reference to my bygone brain I will use clothing. I'm not overly stylish by any means, but I did have a slight style. When then, did I start buying clothes based on comfort and stain removal properties?!?!? Really! I was shopping at one of my favorite stores, Kohl's, with Audrey and she said "ohh, Mommy, that's a pretty shirt". I answered "yes, but it's white and you will see stains too easily". Really Kandi, get a hold of yourself!!!

I'm not asking for everything my brain held back. A few things would be a good start. Maybe music?? Or even better, the ability to purchase a white shirt without worrying about staining...

So, if you are walking along or chatting with me or whatever and you see glimpses of my "old brain" wave/say hello. I'm sure it would like a few visitors!!

What Happened Wednesday.

Yeah it is Wednesday. Not only does that mean 2 more days till Friday. (That really doesn't matter to me since I work 7 days a week 24 hours a day.) It also means another episode of What happened Wednesday. Yippee...OK I have been playing with the kids way to much and not enough adult interaction lately.
What happened to good ol sleep. Have you noticed now not only does your kids have a built in alarm so do you. Everyday waking up at the same time. Now matter if you had 20 hours of sleep or 20 minuets. HaHa who are we kidding who gets 20 hours of sleep.
Have you noticed when you actually have the chance to take a nap you lay there thinking about what all needs to be done. OH yeah. This happened to me yesterday. The kids were playing I was exhausted the baby was sleeping. I thought OH I can sneak in a nap. I go get in turn on the fan get in bed and lay there, and lay there. Back in the day I could sleep for hours as soon as I hit the bed. NOPE not anymore.
Anything you are missing?