All hail Queen Cory...especially in her house!

When I was little I always dreamed of being a princess...what little girl didn't really? For many, many years I enjoyed being a princess. All the wonderful things of being in a happy kingdom, but no responsibility. Becoming a wife and then a mother has changed my title. Today this princess is graduating to Queen and let me tell you why. I have been working hard to keep order in my house (keeping it clean, fresh healthy groceries/meals for my family and routines to keep order). I've been kind of failing. I feel like I have been a hamster on a wheel trying to keep up with life's demands. I thought staying at home with Walker would provide me tons of time for all the activities above. Wrong! I've been chasing a toddler around saying NO, wrestling him into his PJs at night, begging Ophelia to stop barking, asking my husband to do the same chore 1000 times, watching my child throw his entire dinner in the floor for a happily waiting/loudly barking Ophelia, Letting Baby B's room turn into a clutter zone from hell and throwing together meals at the last minute because I'm absolutely exhausted from the above.

TODAY STARTS A NEW DAY! The princess is upgrading her crown for the Queen headpiece! Nobody messes with the Queen because they know she means business, keeps order and wants her subjects to live happy lives.

 Let's start off with my pride and joy...Dubs, W, Walker Bear, Snooze.

Dear Son,

Today mommy is taking back control of these little tantrums. By avoiding them all together. We will be using more one on one play time, soothing music and less of the TV being on, staying in your room more and ignoring when you drop your food on the ground. You are still too little for time out, but when we get to that point you better believe the Queen means business. You are a snuggly little gentleman and you are so good for a majority of the day, but we need to fine tune little man. I will be researching message boards, calling your Pediatrician for advice and nipping things in the bud. Expect lots of snuggles, kisses and some more hardcore Queen discipline.  Love, Queen Cory

Dear Ophelia,

This is your new "home"...outside. The weather is about to be beautiful and you driving me crazy with your barking. LG tried to help me by giving me a "bark box" which did not affect you in the slightest. You bark when I pick W up, put him down, we get a snack, we get a drink, we breathe.  So...I'm taking back control of my sanity and you are going outside to join the squirrels. I'll let you inside during nap time and after W goes to bed. Those times of day you are the same great baby dog I have always known and love. The rest of the day you act bat shit crazy. Scratch the door all you want babe, but the Queen means business. I am the MASTER of this domain! Love, Queen Cory

The rest of the list I will hold myself accountable for and will work on gaining order back in my kingdom. I'm considering (and being considered for) a contract position at Nissan where I will be able to work from home. To do that I need order in my home...routine, peace, happy subjects. All these shall be achieved ASAP! Stay tuned....I look forward to a long happy reign of Holder Haven.

And Chad...if you are reading this....if you don't get my Fall/Halloween decorations down from the storage bin holders I can't reach....I will command that College Football be banned from the kingdom on Saturdays!!! ;)

Long life the Queen!

Dubs goes to the Ryman!

Today we went to see the free Del McCoury Band show at the Ryman and enjoyed some of the great fall weather. It is the kick off of the World of Bluegrass and they were also celebrating Bill Monroe's 100th birthday. There was quite a crowd of people outside, but it wasn't too crazy. The Grilled Cheeserie was onsite as well as the Cupcake Bus! I have been wanting to track down the Grilled Cheeserie van for awhile. It's a mobile gourmet grilled cheese factory and I have to say...it was pretty good!

Here is a picture of Del and the guys entertaining the crowd. Dierks Bentley and Vince Gill came out...gotta love Nashville. Always musicians joining in on sets. 



I make a big deal about the Ryman. I love it and it is one of my favorite places in Nashville. You just feel the history there and the shows are always amazing. We will be hitting up Wilco this weekend actually. I enjoy everything about it...one of the greatest venues of all time.

Walker explored quite a bit, played with some stroller wheels, ate some grilled cheeserie under a shade tree and even saw a police horse up close and personal. He was not impressed...maybe because he didn't want the fuzz to know he was around stirring up trouble! ;)

 I call this picture "Ole!"

I want another Grilled Cheese Mom!!!

It was a really fun day and I am excited about our other planned fall outings that will be going down soon.

16 week OB Appointment!

Just got back from Dr. Dunn's office (my trusty OB) and Baby B is right on track! Little B had a heart rate of 159 beats per minute and size looked great. It really makes my blood pressure go down when I hear that things are going smoothly and I hear the sweet little heart beat.

I have gained 3 pounds so far...so not bad, not bad at all! I'm really going to try to keep it under control this time. As I type that statement I have Krispy Kreme donut sugar flakes on my shirt. Ha! I'm blaming that on getting blood drawn and feeling light headed. Uh huh...yeah that is it. So far Baby B is craving fruit smoothies and fried chicken, especially buffalo flavored fried chicken.  I not as hungry as I was with W and that is huge difference in these pregnancies. When I am hungry...chicken time!

Other stuff going on:

W is learning the way of the tantrum lately. Who would have known this kid would have such strong opinions?!? I mean...I am so passive and never have strong emotions. I would think my child would be the same. Ha Ha, yeah, right! The kid is a chip off the ol' block and wants what he wants. He really hates having boundaries. Again...I have no idea where this comes from.

W is also learning new words, but once he says them he is on to the next things. Word bank so far: Momma, Da Da, dog, book, car, toot, ball.

He is a big ball of love and I enjoy each and every day with him...even with the tantrums. Can't wait for him to show Baby B the ropes of how to be a good baby.