My Kid is Happy

And way too upright these days!!

It wouldn't surprise me if Big Boy was walking soon. He has changed so much in just a few measly weeks.

Before I proceed by showing you an overwhelming amount of photos of my happy kid (sorry, it's just what the blog has turned into), I want to thank you guys for the sweet comments about the Triathlon. It made me smile. Much love to my readers!

Back to the happy kid. I swear this boy is happy all the time. 

Except for that one time, just a few weeks ago, when we had to take him to urgent care twice in one weekend. That's the only time we have really had to deal with unbearable fussiness.

He discovered the windows and enjoys bird watching with Jake. And watching dad make dinner.

He's also discovered drawers and cabinets.

And how to pull everything out of the drawers and cabinets.

He's always loved airplanes, but now gets excited being turned upside down. His giggle can turn one of the crappiest days into a happy day.

And when he's exhausted the towel drawer and Tupperware cabinet, I contain him by putting him inside a basket. No toys, just an empty basket.

Oddly enough, he loves it. Happy kid I tell ya.

Finisher

Well, I finished! And it actually wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.

Sure, doing a triathlon 8-months post baby and not training for it definitely kicked my rear end, but my finish times were better than the first time I participated in this same Tri in 2009.

Swim: 10:17

Transition 1: 2:56

Bike: 36:13

Transition 2: 2:18

Run: 30:19

Overall time: 1:22:03

I'm proud of my times. Of course I could have done better and pushed myself harder. But, as my coworker said right before we jumped into the water, "We aren't trying to have a baby today. We aren't going to push that hard." Ha.

I had a little hiccup in the bike portion when my paper number flew off and got stuck in my gears. I had to stop twice on the course to pull out paper, and my gears still didn't work properly the rest of the race. For a few minutes, I thought there was a chance I wouldn't be able to finish.

But I did, and it felt damn good.

There were 1,000 participants this year. One thousand! A sea full of 1,000 purple swim caps, 1,000 bikes, and 2,000 feet ready to hit the pavement.

It was exhilarating. Inspiring. Uplifting. A familiar feeling from 2010 and 2009.

I'm so glad I went through with it and didn't chicken out. It crossed my mind considering my lack of training, but I was determined to just get out there and do my best.

I'm proud of myself.

And my boys are proud of their mama.

All my boys were there to cheer me on. Even Jake.:)

I've Got the Jitters

It's not a normal Friday for me. Care free? Nope. Anxiety free? Nope.

Sonic Friday at work and my strawberry cream slush didn't even make my jitters go away.

Thank you company, I love Sonic Friday during the summer and I am so appreciative of my free drink, but I'm a nervous nilly.

You guys, I'm doing a triathlon tomorrow.

It's ok, you can pick your jaw up off the floor. I'm surprised too.

A triathlon I haven't even trained for.

There's a little thing that now plays at my feet and goes by the name of Bruiser these days that has kept me from swimming, biking and running.

Sheesh, how do I get myself into these things?

Two years ago, I was baby-free and motivated. This year, I'm just crazy.

See, that year I was smiling. This year, I'm going to die.

Wish me luck pretty please? I need all the thoughts and prayers I can get!

Me and my little fam will be carb loading and hydrating tonight in front of the tube watching the Opening Ceremony. Happy Weekend! 

Here's some recent Instagrams. You can find me at Kutterchaos, if your little heart desires.

TOP | baf time | back on the bike | hamburger treats via nana jana

MIDDLE | this kid needs to go | baby food baking gone wild | go cats

BOTTOM | cafe trio drinko | date with maggie | computer broke mid-bike, wtf 

And just like that, 10 years are gone.

I can't believe it has been 10 years.

Ten years since I was walking the halls of Wichita Northwest as a Grizzly.

Ten years since I attended high school parties drinking Smirnoff Ice or Mike's Hard Lemonade.

Ten years since I wore my dance uniform to school every Friday.

Ten years since I left Wichita to attend the greatest college in the nation.

And ten years since all my high school buddies were in the same room -- all at the same time.

It feels like it was yesterday.

These are a few of my squad buddies. 

Nickki, the talented business woman who owns Firefly yoga studio in Wichita, and the beautiful Sarah, mama to the cutest little girl and part time Zumba instructor. It's fitting because she's the one I used to shake my tail feather with.

 More friends reunited.

Me and Chas tended to cause trouble together. We broke a few rules, and were always the ones spitting fire. We were both loud, outspoken and brutally honest. 

Who am I trying to kid? We are both still the same fireballs.

 Me and this girl go way back. Her mom was my nurse when I had surgery in middle school. We were meant to meet because Jess and I have heaps of memories together. Came all the way from California.

My brother used to torment this friend. I don't know what it was, but whenever Janea was over, he would chase us around the house with a whip (not kidding) or do something to prove he was my older, meaner brother. She never rocked bangs in hs, but she looks oh so fabulous with them.

My annual snow skiing buddy and blond friend, Missy. I call her blond because she's pretty much the blond we hear about in the jokes to a T. She knows it and we all laugh together at her blond moments.

But I don't laugh too hard, because she probably has more dirt on me than anyone. 

 This guy is Kamerion Wimbley. Recognize him at all?

He's a linebacker for the Tennessee Titans. Used to play for the Raiders and before that the Browns.

He was also just recently a contestant on the show American Ninja Warrior.

He's my celeb friend from high school.

Which is why we danced the tango at the reunion.

I figured it was appropriate he prepared to be on Dancing with the Stars someday.

If you are debating on attending your high school reunion, you should definitely go! I wasn't going to go at first, and am so glad I made it work with our schedule! 

Believe it or not, there were no name tags. I was disappointed at first because I was scared I wouldn't remember any one's name. It's amazing what comes back to you after a few beers!

And surprisingly, I didn't even talk about what I do, where I've been, and my family all that much because most people already knew the deets from facebook Crazy technology!

There were so many people I didn't get pictures with and friends I would love to tell you about.  Like my BFF Mark and my date for the night (Husband was at his best friend's wedding rehearsal dinner).

But, I'm sure another 10 years will come and go just as quickly as these did and I'll have more memories to document. 

Do you think I'll still keep up with this blog in 10 years? 

Carson will be almost 11 by then. And I'll be close to 40. Wowza, that  seems old.

Ok, that's enough crazy talk for one day. Bye Bye.

Mile High Twenty Twelve

Our vacation trip to Colorado was very different from last year.

We had just as much fun and soaked up just as many friends and family members, but the addition of the new guy made it...busy as ever.

I had forgotten how much work it is to watch your child 24/7 for 10 days straight. Actually 12 days straight considering he got sick towards the end of the trip and missed his first couple of days back to school.

It sounds terrible, but when you get used to taking your child to daycare during the week, you forget what it was like on maternity leave.

And when they're crawling everywhere and at houses that haven't been baby proofed, well you have to watch them nonstop to keep them from seriously injuring themselves.

Mile High again treated us well.

Summertime in the mountains (a first for yours truly), outdoor activities (no run-ins with fires thank god), loads of delicious food and cocktails, cooler weather than Kansas (hooray!), much needed catch up time with friends and family, and quality time with the hubs.

Just kidding. That last one was a lie.  At least for this year's trip.

Last year's trip was when Big Boy was conceived. TMI? Sorry, it's a special city for our little family. We contemplated naming him Denver or Aspen, but then decided we liked Carson better.

Ready for a butt load of pictures of our trip? Because you know I can't just take a few.

It's a hot Friday.

It's Friday and I'm happy. But you wanna know what doesn't make me happy?

108 degree weather.

And husband being sicker than a dog.

Stay cool out there folks and enjoy your weekend. Brian will be resting and I'll be chasing our little mover. In the AC of course.

How about some Instagrams? mmm kay.

TOP | C in dad's hat | new stationary love | cafe trio gets you drinko

MIDDLE | peace and love | squishy legs and baby shoes are the best | rent-a-bikes

BOTTOM | candy store in estes park | i want to help 

TOP | margarita de huge-o | lulus, one of my faves | always happy

MIDDLE | we love bikes | sink bath at aunt dena's | i never say no to ice cream

BOTTOM | first time to try a mum mum | wine name kris...only fitting | highway in denver

Remember,if interested in following me on Instagram, you can find me at KutterChaos.

Ginger Boy

Sometimes, my baby big boy looks like a ginger in photos.

But, he definitely doesn't have red hair. It's just these photos in particular. 

Hey Ginger Boy. 

I didn't know that putting your kid in little Nike tennis shoes instantly turns them into a little boy. 

Yep, no longer a baby. 

A Ginger Boy.

KC Restaurant List 2012

Remember when I posted my list of Restaurants to Try last year?

Well, operation Restaurant List 2011 went pretty well and I'm ready for a new eatery adventure.

I couldn't believe how many new or undiscovered spots there were to include in the new list.

Right here in this place I call home.

With the help of a few coworkers, we came up with places we had never heard of, restaurants we knew of, but had forgotten to try, spots that recently opened, and places we simply had no clue about.

Any time we go out to lunch during the week, we have decided we will hit somewhere on the list. Don't you just love trying new places?

Within a few weeks of compiling the list, I already have several to report about. Stay tuned.

Here she is...

Restaurant List 2012
Snow Co. - Downtown
(This was included on the list because my coworker has never been. I wrote about it here.)
Mildred's - Downtown or Midtown
(Again, coworker has never been, but one of my faves. I'm partial to the chicken salad sandwich on rye.)
Little Freshie (hand crafted soda fountain and espresso bar) - Downtown
(Fresher than fresh Sno Cones anyone? Go. We went last week. Get Blackberry Lavender. You wont be disappointed. )

Gram & Dun - Plaza
Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen - Crossroads/Downtown
Seasons 52 - Plaza
Chez Elle Creperie & Coffeehouse - Downtown
Lill's on 17th - Downtown
Coal Vines - Plaza
Zocalo - Plaza
Carmen's Cafe - Leawood & Brookside
Extra Virgin - Crossroads/Downtown
Bar Louie - Downtown
Haus - Downtown
FÜD (Vegan) - Downtown
Succotash - Downtown
Westport Cafe & Bar - Westport
Mestizo - Park Place
The Brick - Crossroads/Downtown
Urban Table - Prairie Village
Cafe Trio - Plaza Outskirts
Blue Stem - Wesport
The Boot - Westport
Le Fou Frog - River Market/Downtown
Hamburger Mary's - Crossroads/Downtown

Grünauer - Downtown

Cafe Gratitude (Vegan) - Downtown

YJ's Snack Bar - Crossroads/Downtown

I'm Back!

Well hello friends! I'm back from a short blog hiatus and life is as hectic as ever.

A lot has happened in two weeks:

• We made a quick trip to Ta Town to visit Nana Jana & Papa
• Spent the whole 4th of July week in Colorado visiting friends and family
• Experienced a few firsts: First time in the Mile High city during the summer, white water rafting & Estes Park
• Tried Lime-a-Rita's finally. Oh my. I have totally been missing out.
• Big Boy now has two teeth. TWO teeth!
• Got family pictures taken
• Visited the doctor/urgent care four times in two weeks. My poor baby was sick with a nasty viral infection:(. High temps of 104 are too scary for this momma to handle!

I'll update further on some of these soon. And by soon, I mean give me at least a week:).

I know what you're thinking...geez, cut me some slack, this mama is trying to catch up at work and has a busy weekend ahead. :)

This Friday, I have my 10-year high school reunion. I can't believe it's been 10 years since I left the oh-so-happening city of Wichita. I mean, why would anyone ever want to leave that place?

I'm sure my reunion will be much like the husbands was. If you remember, it was a room full of old classmates sizing each other up and reeked of judgey behavior. There will be a slight difference.

I'll be attending solo. No husband. No eye candy for my classmates. No drink cop for yours truly.

This is dangerous my friends.

I won't have anyone to cut me off or tell me I'm slurring my words. It tends to happen pretty easily these days.

Who knows? Maybe me and my dance team friends can bust out our choreographed dance to Slave by Britney Spears.

Oh, you didn't know I used to dance? Or that me and my squad had a choreographed dance to Slave?

Why yes, yes we did. And we used to bust it out at parties.

I'm not kidding. I'm totally serious.

What? A group of girls in jeans skirts and zig zag hair parts dancing in sync, but borderline slutty at a party isn't appropriate?

You're right. It's not. I can't believe our school allowed that behavior.

Good thing we'll be wearing mom jeans this time around. Just kidding, I don't wear mom jeans. Not Yet.

Let's hope I don't run into this guy. Sheesh, god help me to get through a convo with him.

If he thought I was well endowed then, his jaw will drop when he sees this still-breastfeeding mama.


Happy Thursday! Tomorrow is Friday! Hip Hip Hooray!