For real.

I know, I know! Our "news" has been delayed beyond funny. Just when I thought we were close, the perils of modern technology pushed our ribbon cutting even further.

You may want to sit down.

Russ' hard-drive crashed.

This kind of news in CasaMohr makes you shush the babies, clean the house on your tiptoes, and close all doors leading to rooms anywhere near your husband. The news makes you sit quietly, praying silently for the outcome to be different news that what you think it might be.

So far, we're still holding our breath as the hard-drive makes its way to some company in another state who may be our last hope.

Our 'news' has 100% to do with that hard-drive.

Oh technology.

Apple Eating!

I would have titled this post "Apple Picking" but the key member of the trip ate apples while we picked them. See below:

On the tractor with the DeGroots!





It was a great day for a trip to Eckherts. We're ready for cooler weather but today was perfect!

Infomercials...

Normally, I complain and turn the channel. However, a couple years ago I happened upon one that caught my attention. Before I knew it, I was dialing the number and pulling out my credit card. Sheepishly, I confessed to Russ what I'd done that evening. I would love to tell you that he got equally excited about my new items due to arrive in 5-7 business days but he gave me the smirk. You know the smirk. The husband smirk.

This story has a happy ending. The "You can't live without this" product was a DVD serious entitled Turbo Jam. It's like a work-out dance party including songs like "Momma said Knock you out!". I mean, c'mon! Now, before you get all judgmental on my bad stewardship of $$, please know I have gotten my money's worth. Two times over, I've gotten my money's worth.

This workout is unlike anything I've ever done before. I've run half-marathons, taken kickboxing and other aerobic classes and spent a good many-a-night doing Sweatin' to the Oldies in high school. This series works muscles I wasn't aware I had and takes inches off where it seems impossible. I'm serious, peeps. I used it all last summer and then pretty consistently in Guate and I got down to the smallest size I've been in ten years.

I bring this up because I can't move today. I unearthed the goodness from a packed box in the basement and have climbed back on the wagon. And it hurts. Look out, skinny jeans, you're next...

Now, I don't normally do this, but I'm curious about people's experiences with another product. This may seem like a private issue to some, but if Tina Fey can talk about it on the red carpet before the Emmy's than I can blog about it. I'm just going to say it. Spanx. Who's used them? What's your happiness level? While visiting the in-laws, we were all drawn into another infomercial with a similar product and the results were amazing. Of course. But what's the reality? Do they actually work that well? And if so, why don't I already have them? Why doesn't everyone have them? Gimme details, blogees, details.

Marvelous Mondays

At some point in our lives, Mondays became a welcome sigh of relief. Our weekends are so crazy between band gigs, arbonne parties, and random activities with friends that Mondays seem calm and inviting. Mondays is when I feel like I can catch up on emails, phone calls and even a nap. I used to hate weekends during our adoption process because that meant that no one was working on our case. Then once we got home and I went back to work, I craved my weekends again and now we've come full-circle. Weekends are good but always non-stop to the point that I wish I could hug Mondays.

So, hello Monday, it's good to have you back.

and just so you're not totally bored with my post, here's an eliot fix:

(setting: watching football after putting on bandaids as a result of some shoes that are too small and insisting on placing the bandaid himself on his knee that had an ouch as well, albeit a fake ouch)

Mo Mo Bayoons!

Saturday was packed full of fun in STL. The day's agenda included a trip to the farmers market, 2 walk-through peeps in our house, a hearty nap, visiting the balloon launch/race with CJ and Keri, and going to an outdoor show of FE! Here's a few pics from the fun stuff.

A headless CJ clearing the Eliot-hurdle...


Eliot running and stopping around strangers from the excitement of the balloons!

Eliot saying 'Cheese!'

The launch occured in a different part of the park but several of them had difficulties and had to land in the field we happen to park ourselves in!


Eliot and "That Girl"...(reference to FE song...)

Bye Bye Bayoons...

We went to the Balloon Glow at Forest Park tonight. It was the first time I've gone and was surprised how close you can get! At one point I was able to put E on (not in) one of the baskets! Here's the best we could do for pics!


He was a little shocked sometimes when they would turn on the loud flames to keep the balloons inflated. So silly.


Eliot standing to watch them inflate the balloons. He's such a little dude. The whole walk to the car he kept saying "Bye Bye Bayoons!" Then we saw the fireworks go off right before we got to the car and it changed to "Bye Bye Bombas!"

Family time!

We didn't take as many pics as we normally do on Little Rock trips, but here's the favs...

Newspaper and coffee

When I was a child, I always assumed that when I was a 'grown-up' that I would read the newspaper. I always saw myself having a cup of coffee and sitting down to see what was new in the world today. Well, maybe that day is coming but at this point I have zero desire for that.

Now wait just a minute.

This week I've read about sports, politics, personal interest, travel and leisure, Hollywood news and trends, local news and weather, strongly opinionated editorial type, parenting tips and advice, even a touching obituary of a woman I don't know.

I read blogs. With a cup or two of coffee.

I think that counts.

Arkansas Gas Station

While standing in line waiting to pay for misc. items, a man got in line behind me. Here's what transpired:

Man (insert southern drawl): Is that your son? (referring to Eliot)
Me: Yeah!
Man: He mexican? (no verb required)
Me: He's Guatemalan, actually.
Man: Huh?
Me: Yeah, he's Mexican.

Note to self....14

When driving down the highway going 70mph and your toddler can now reach his door handle, it's a good idea to lock it.

My apologies

My Dear Bloggees,

I sincerely apologize for keeping you in suspense. I really haven't meant to tease you with that post last week. Here is it Friday and you still don't know. It's not my fault, to be frank. (Upon reading this my dad will say, "Who's Frank?") I promise it's not about adding babies to the Mohr's or selling the house. We have had some nibbles but nothing of consequence. The minute I can, you will be informed.

In other news, here's what it looks like the day after Little man stayed up til 11:00

Baseball game hangover?

Also, it's been eight years since I've gotten to hang out with some friends. But I'm happy to say, we've reunited and there's apparently lots to catch up on!



Have a great weekend, everyone, and stay safe if you're in Ike's path! (the hurricane, not my FIL)

Hurrican Ike in STL!

Russ' Dad, Ike, came into town for a hurricane type trip. Definitely a here today, gone tomorrow fashion. We scored seriously good tickets to the Cubs/Cards game, so Ike came into town to enjoy the third row behind home plate! Here's a few favorite pics of our night. Eliot was amazing and SO intrigued by the game. If we had any doubt before, we now know for sure we have a baseball fan on our hands. I tagged along on guys night as the photographer and nanny...

Not quite there yet

I'm pretty confident that I'm an adult. However there are times when I catch myself in the middle of something and question how true that really is. Our church's women's ministry starts this week so we each got a call from our group facilitator to let us know what small group to go into come Thursday.

I immediately called a friend to see if she was in my group. Upon confirmation, we got giggly. Then I got a call from another friend. She had just gotten off the phone with the facilitator and went ahead and asked who else was in the group. So, now we were both excitedly talking about what a fun group we have.

Then we all got an email from the facilitator with a few details. Instead of reading the details, like a responsible adult, I found myself scanning over the names of the other email addresses. Someone was missing. I double-checked. Yep, she wasn't on there. As excited as I was to read most of the names, I was equally disappointed that one wasn't there. But thought that at least we could have lunch together.

After reflecting over this 30 minute span of my day, I realized I might as well be 13 years old, wearing braces and writing a note with pink ink to a dreamy boy.

Plan B!

Saturday morning E and I met friends at the zoo to find out where in Forest Park to meet Curious George and Clifford. After a realization that it was the wrong weekend, we settled on a day at the zoo for plan B, which was handy since we were already there.

Couple of highlights from this particular trip:
*There's tiger cubs at our zoo right now and they're so cute!! I hadn't seen them yet so I was pretty excited. I might get one.
*I was there with two college-friends/turned real-life-friends, Lisa and Carrie. I don't get to spend much time w/ Carrie, so that was a treat but also to watch our kids all playing together was a blessing. We don't feel like all that much time has passed since those days but now we're all adult-y, still very funny, just adult-y.

Eliot 'sharing' his fence space...busted in the middle of the "That's my Giraffe!" hipcheck.

Eliot is apparently uncomfortable with a large carnivore heading toward him at a quickened pace.

Charlie's angels? They were actually really well behaved considering how crowded it was!

Eliot's first spendee!

E-man invited his good pal(s) George to spend the night. He even gave them the tag blanket for warmth, pet them and said, "Good girl". Oh my.

Friday Firsts

Big day for E-beast!!! It's not even naptime and we're breaking new ground! Are you ready for it...

Eliot went to the bathroom on the potty!!! He finally said yes when I asked him if he wanted to. While sitting there he said, "Puuuuuuush" and then he stood up and said, "Bye Bye Poop!" and slammed the lid shut! We celebrated and cheered and picked out a beautiful sticker and then called the Grandmas!

Then at lunch we were having 'fraber' (strawberries) and he lined all ten pieces up in a row (on the table...I guess we'll work on manners later?) and kept saying "1,2...1,2..." So, I counted all the pieces back to him. To which he replied, "one, twowa,....free, fo, five" He counted to five!!! I, of course, couldn't get him to do it again but that doesn't take away from the glory. The absolute glory. He's brilliant.

By the way, the Mohr's have something new and exciting happening that I"ll share next week! (no, no additions to the family at this point). But it's not quite ready to unveil so you'll have to wait!

Have a great weekend!!

The Flyin' Mayan

Well, your favorite super-hero made his debut yesterday. I wish I was referring to how fast he rides his bike but that is not the case.


Eliot took quite the tumble yesterday. All the way down the stairs. Not just a small, carpeted stair case into a pool of jello as one would hope, but down an entire wooden stair case onto the concrete basement floor. And of course it happened the moment my mouth closed after just saying, "Eliot, don't go near those stairs."

Before you call DFS, please understand a little history. Eliot sits on the top step every time one of us goes to the basement. He stays there and talks to us while we switch the laundry or whatever. He's also on the cusp of a growth spurt (eating us out of house and home, sleeping way more than normal) which also includes getting clumsier. We're assuming he went to sit as usual and his body got ahead of himself.

When I came around the corner he was lying on the basement floor screaming. Which is a good thing according to a lot of people! Screaming equals consciousness! He clung to Russ' neck and just cried and cried and kept saying "I fall" and "ouch." Then he declared that he needed a snack. He could have had an entire ice cream truck had one been available as far as I'm concerned.

Today he woke up and asked for "Mecine" and seemed a little sore. Russ keeps calling him Slinky. I keep squeezing him harder than normal while trying to push out the "What if he'd..." possibilities that inevitably come to any parent's mind. The Lord is good. This could be a much different post this morning.

There are so many things that could have gone wrong that we're not ruling out super powers. Like watching the pilot episode of Heros or the beginning shot of the original Superman movie. We'll let you know if he lifts any cars off of hurting people today.

Save the Slinky, save the world?

Language!

At the Mohr home, we've had what a friends calls a "language explosion" with the little man. His vocab is busting out new words every day without prompting. He's stinging more of those together and yesterday he gave us his first 4 word sentence. There's at least three girls his age that we know were doing this a year ago but we're pumped!! His sentence? "Mama, help me climb." To the highest of heights, my little linguistic master. And for follow-up, we diagrammed it after I helped him climb.

Then today he and I were playing hide and seek, a favorite at the Mohr house lately, when he looked at Russ and said, "Dada, Shhh! Mama hide" as he was sneaking up on me in my hiding spot next to Russ. We tried to write down all the words he regularly speaks, including names of friends, family and characters and we hit around 200. Any language specialists want to shed some expertise into that? Average? Good? Worrisome? I think we're on track.

We're also enjoying some Spanglish as we attempt to throw Spanish in throughout the day. The best example is when he asks for "fraberr", which is Strawberry or Fresa in Spanish.

As his language increases, we're noticing more silliness than ever before. This kid is a crack-up. I'm envisioning the parent/teacher conferences already..."he's so sweet, smart and cute but he's a little bit of a clown..." Yesterday he climbed by himself into his booster chair for the first time and proudly announced to me that he climbed. To this, I responded, "Great job! Now do you know how to get down?" and he smiled and responded, "Fall."

Count down!

The window of opportunity is getting smaller and I'm not. Our trip to Cancun is approaching and I'm not where I want to be. I'm a little too much of me right now. I know I'm "fine" but I could be toner, thinner, and especially healthier. I was quite a bit lighter while in Guate on account of constant activity and eating healthier. Since returning, I've become more American...

Definitely don't fit in those jeans anymore...yikes.


It's September first. But it's January 1st in my head, just A LOT warmer out. Global warming, maybe? I've been eating whatever I want, drinking soda (pop), and sittin' on my tuckus. And it shows. And I feel it. I should actually start eating what I feed Eliot on most days since that's a lot healthier than what I'm consuming. One of many examples of 'Do as I say, not as I crunch.'

Blach.

So, it's time. I have a few things coming up in the next few months that I'd like to feel better for. Our anniversary trip being #1.

So, I hereby resolve to drink protein shakes for breakfast, take my vitamins daily, no soda, no ice cream (this hurts me), and to work-out 4-5 times a week.

Anyone want to join me? I function well with accountability which is part of the reason I'm even posting about this in the first place!