155 Things About Me

I saw this on another blog recently.  If I find it again, I'll add a link later. 

Here are 155 things about me:

1.  I have red hair.
2.  I grew up in Maine, where my parents still live.
3.  I have one younger brother.
4.  I am married to my best friend.
5.  I have one child (so far).
6.  My son is the love and light of my life.
7.  I am shy and reserved when I first meet someone.
8.  I would rather have a few really great friends, than a lot of sort of good friends.
9.  I am emotionally sensitive and it bothers me a lot.
10. I have a quick temper.
11. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and Equestrian Studies from the University of Findlay.
12. My college years were some of the best years of my life so far.
13.  I got married in October, my favorite month.
14.  I got my belly button pierced when I 22.
15.  I don't have any tattoos.
16.  I am an animal lover.
17.  I am good at riding/training/showing horses. 
18.  I have two dogs and three cats.
19.  I can't seem to be happy living in one place for very long.  I like change.
20.  I am a good listener.
21.  My right foot is bigger than my left.
22.  I am right handed.
23.  I played the violin for four years in school.
24.  Certain songs hold a lot of memories and emotions for me.
25.  I love reading to children, especially my son.
26.  I have been a SAHM for almost three and a half years now.
27.  I wanted to teach first grade after graduating from college.
28.  I lived by myself for one year in college and learned more about myself in that time than during any other period in my life.
29.  I would do anything to protect my family from harm.
30.  I drive a Toyota Highlander and love it.
31.  My first car was a Toyota Corolla hatchback that I paid $500 for.
32.  My roommate freshman year of college is one of my very best friends.
33.  I want to have at least three children, maybe even four.
34.  I was diagnosed with lupus in 2003.
35.  I let little things stress me out. 
36.  I am a Christian.
37.  I love my iPad.
38.  I wish I knew more about photography.
39.  I went to Jamaica with Sean for our honeymoon.
40.  I have been married for 6 years.
41.  I spent 12 days in the hospital last April.
42.  I try to live my life with my cup half full.
43.  I have an addiction to lattes, especially ones from Starbucks.
44.  I have a nasty sweet tooth.
45.  I love, love, love pickles, especially Bubbies brand.
46.  My favorite time of the day is when Cory comes into my room in the morning and asks to snuggle with me.
47.  I enjoy watching crime dramas on TV.
48.  My brother is a US Border Patrol agent.
49.  I am very protective of family traditions.
50.  I had to have braces when I was 21.
51.  I want to retire on a horse farm with lots of land.
52.  I have never been to California or Florida.
53.  I love snow.
54.  I like to do crafty things, but I'm not very good at it.
55.  Pies are my favorite dessert.
56.  I like white wine more than red.
57.  I try to buy only organic food.
58.  I am a semi-health food nut.
59.  I am obsessed with keeping my family healthy.
60.  I watch General Hospital.
61.  My first concert was Alan Jackson.
62.  My most memorable concert was the Trans Siberian Orchestra in Columbus with Sean.
63.  I love fireplaces.
64.  I'm not one of those people that enjoys hugs, unless they are from Sean or Cory.
65.  I've been to the ER three times in my life.
66.  My son was born 8 weeks early.
67.  When I had my worst lupus flare, I lost almost all of my hair and it was devastating to me.
68.  I used to be a runner.
69.  I love the idea of exercising regularly, but am afraid the stress on my body will cause my lupus to flare again.
70.  I need to lose 15 pounds.
71.  Christmas is my favorite holiday.
72.  I don't wear a lot of jewelry.
73.  I prefer to wear jeans and a t-shirt or sweater over anything else.
74.  I enjoy getting pedicures every so often with my girlfriends.
75.  I try to blog regularly, but I'm not very good at it.
76.  I am a Facebook junky.
77.  I didn't enjoy high school, but thoroughly enjoyed my schooling before and after that.
78.  I was a really good student, especially for the amount of time I spent studying.
79.  I always wished I could make being a student a paying career.
80.  Pregnancy and birth fascinate me.
81.  I've thought about becoming a certified doula.
82.  I am hoping to have a VBAC for our next child.
83.  Because of lupus, I have given serious thought to adoption.
84.  I enjoy design and decorating my home, but don't really know a whole lot about it.
85.  My brother and I are closer now than when we were kids.
86.  I will finally get to be an Aunt in January.
87.  I first learned to drive on a manual transmission car.
88.  I am a night person.
89.  I enjoy shopping for clothes for anyone.
90.  I wear a size 9 shoe.
91.  My favorite Aunt has red hair, the exact same shade as mine and people always assumed she was my mother.
92.  I enjoy being outdoors.
93.  I love seafood.
94.  Cheese is one of my favorite indulgences.
95.  I've never been to Europe but I would love to go someday.
96.  I despise doing dishes by hand.
97.  I would rather take a shower than a bath.
98.  I will be taking care of my very good friend's son next February when she goes back to work after having him.
99.  I want an iPhone.
100.  Fall is my favorite season.
101.  I am not a very good gardener, but I would like to be.
102.  I am going to plant my very first vegetable garden next spring.
103.  One of my favorite things to do with Cory is to take him to the library.
104.  I like to travel by car, rather than by plane.
105.  I want to go to the Grand Canyon.
106.  I love white water rafting but have only ever been twice.
107.  I never want to bungee jump or sky dive.
108.  I have never been in a helicopter, but would like to try it.
109.  I prefer to sleep on my stomach.
110.  My cheeks turn bright red if I become even slightly embarrassed or uncomfortable.
111.  Confrontation, of any kind, makes me want to cry.
112.  I have had my heart broken.
113.  I have only had one great love in my life, and I'm married to him.
114.  The thought of eating McDonald's makes me want to vomit.
115.  My friends and I ate a lot of wings and drank a lot of beer in college.
116.  I am a worrier, by nature.
117.  I am good at remembering details.
118.  I like my house to be clean and am stressed out when it's not.
119.  I love to read, but don't do a whole lot of it lately.
120.  I have never owned a desk top computer, only laptops.
121.  I spend a week every summer in Maine.
122.  I want to own a truck just because I like them.
123.  I once rolled my Dad's truck into a ditch because of black ice.
124.  Some of my closest friends are people I've met through the internet.
125.  I want to open an indoor playground for children.
126.  I am allergic to three different antibiotics.
127.  I am sympathetic to people's situations.
128.  I have a high tolerance for pain.
129.  I love tangerine chapstick.
130.  I never ever leave the house without mascara on.
131.  I never wear lipstick.
132.  I dislike talking on the phone.
133.  I love caller ID.
134.  I find politics confusing and depressing.
135.  I get very uncomfortable in large crowds.
136.  I love going to the movies, especially romantic comedies.
137.  I don't like getting wet in the rain.
138.  My first best friend was a guy.
139.  I used to love playing Nintendo.
140.  I listen to all different kinds of music.
141.  I buy a lot of clothes from Old Navy.
142.  Cookies are my favorite dessert to bake.
143.  I enjoy making healthy homemade breakfasts for my family.
144.  Lunch is my least favorite meal.
145.  I never ordered an appetizer at a restaurant until I met Sean.
146.  I can't stand liars.
147.  I try to drink 4 green smoothies per week.
148.  I wish there was a way I could retire my mom so she and my dad could come to visit whenever they  wanted to.
149.  I don't want to live in Ohio for the rest of my life.
150.  I miss living near the ocean and mountains but enjoy the openness of wide open spaces.
151.  I would like to get my masters degree before I die.
152.  I want to someday become a foster parent.
153.  I dislike afternoons.
154.  I like sorting/washing laundry, but I don't like folding and putting it away.
155.  I have double jointed fingers.

Changes

Just as the seasons are changing, so are things in the Fryburg household.  Sean has decided to go back to school to finish up his Criminal Justice degree.  Being sent to Iraq in 2003 really squelched his educational plans and he's now ready to get back on track, seven short years later.  Ha!  We're all adjusting to life without less Daddy pretty well and while it's definitely not ideal to have less Sean in our lives, we're keeping our eyes focused on the future. 

Other changes include Cory and me having found a new playgroup in our area that we've recently become a part of.  They have a lot of different meet ups scheduled throughout the week and so far we've thoroughly enjoyed each one we've been to and look forward to meeting lots of new kids and moms.  I'm having a lot of doubts and guilt about us choosing to not send Cory to preschool this year, but having him be a part of this group has helped quite a bit.

We've also welcomed a new kitty to our household.  He's a seven month old stray that we actually found while in Maine.  It's a long story, but he ended up making the trip back to Ohio with us and he is an absolute blast to have around!  He loves to play, loves to cuddle, loves to chase Cory (this is a good thing) and loves to snuggle up to the dogs.  Cory thinks he's great and I love that they are so gentle with each other.  Rocco has definitely been a beneficial addition to our family.  Now...if we could only get the go-ahead from my doctors then we could get working on another addition of the two-legged kind!  It will happen.  One day. 

Yikes!

Where has the past month and a half gone?!

We spent a week in Maine in August at Mom and Dad's house and had a blast! Jeff was able to be there too (we planned it that way) so that was awesome. I miss my brother. I hadn't seen him since early spring. Cory really enjoyed the time we spent at the ocean. We're hoping next year maybe he can go fishing with Grampa.

The first weekend in September we re-did Cory's room. It was very bittersweet to take down all of his "baby" things, but it's time. He's no longer a baby. We painted, hung new curtains and converted his crib into a toddler bed. I wonder if he was the only three year old still left in a crib?! :) The only reason we converted the bed was because he is now waking at night to go pee and I want him to be able to get up if he needs to (which hasn't exactly worked out the way I was hoping - he still sits in his bed and cries for us if he has to get up and go pee, lol). He got all new bedding for his birthday, construction themed, so now that's what his room is. I really like it. I'm happy with the way it turned out. It still needs a few finishing touches but it'll do for now. I even put away his changing pad that was still on top of his small dresser, ha! It's about time, Kelly. We have SO many totes of his baby clothes and things. If we don't have another little boy I'm going to have a lot of stuff to get rid of. I'm not sure where we're going to keep it all pretty soon!

Last weekend we went to a wedding in Cleveland. Sean's cousin got married and we had a great time. Cory was a dancing machine! He would not get off the dance floor and had a mini meltdown when it was time for us to leave...which may have also been because he didn't nap that day and we didn't leave the reception until 10 p.m.

Sean's Family at the wedding

(Feris, Starr, Rose, Steve, me, Sean, Cory)

Cory dancing with Aunt Patty

Cory on the dance floor!

Fall is definitely in the air and I couldn't be more content! We're going apple picking next week and I'm so excited! Pretty soon we'll be getting our pumpkins and mums too. Sean and I also have an anniversary trip planned next month and I'm really looking forward to it. Lots of fun in the next few weeks!

Potty Training

Two weeks ago I decided to bite the bullet and just go for it! I put Cory in "big boy undies" and held my breath. He did great! :) It was a Saturday and we haven't looked back since! I'm so excited.

He's only had three real accidents - each of which have happened at a time when he has been distracted. There have also been a few dribbles but he catches himself each time and finishes peeing on the potty. As of right now he isn't very fond of the real toilet and much prefers his little potty which is fine with me. He will use the real toilets if we are in a store even though he isn't a huge fan. We take his little potty with us if we're going to be gone for an extended amount of time and just stick it in the back of the Highlander. He loves going potty in the back of the car. :) Who wouldn't!? Ha!

Our only true challenge at this point is pooping on the potty. If we even dare to suggest it he has a huge meltdown, tears and all. :( He always asks for a pull-up and at this point I let him have one. I read a great article about potty training toddlers and it says not wanting to poop on the potty is very common for toddlers. It had some great suggestions and we're going to try those. I figure he won't be wearing diapers to poop in when he's in high school, that it will eventually happen...right?! Ugh. I sure do hope so.

Listen To Me

Cory sure is growing up fast (I've mentioned that a lot lately, haven't I?). Yesterday morning as we were eating breakfast and I was checking my email Cory was playing with some of his cars on the coffee table. He was talking to them and having a great time. He suddenly stood up, looked me straight in the eye and said, "Listen to me...." and then proceeded to tell me something that I really don't even remember because I was too busy trying not to laugh at how he said, "Listen to me" in such a serious, big boy kind of a way. It's not like I wasn't paying attention to him and he had been repeating himself 15 times trying to get me to listen, he just had something to say and wanted to make sure I heard it, lol. It was very cute, not snarky or rude in any way.

I love that kid.

Cory's First Movie

Cory had his first movie theater experience today at the IMAX theater at the Airforce Museum here in Dayton. We saw Legends of Flight and Cory LOVED it! It was approximately 50 minutes long so it was the perfect length to see if Cory would would last that long in a theater or not. It was great. We all had an awesome time.

I'm really looking forward to taking him to a "real" movie! I was thinking Cars 2 was coming out this summer, but it's not. It won't be released until Summer 2011 - bummer! Maybe that will be his first real movie.

Catching up!

This month is flying by! Oh my gosh. Pretty soon it will be August and we'll be on our way to Maine! Wow.

We took Cory to see the fireworks in Moraine for the 4th of July. He loved it!! I was second guessing myself about taking him because I didn't know how he'd react and I didn't want him to be scared, but I was definitely worrying about nothing. He talked about them for days and days afterwards.

Sean is working on taking some classes at a local college to finish up his criminal justice degree that he started eleven years ago and never completed because of his deployment to Iraq. At this particular school he has the opportunity to get into a program to become a U.S. Marshal which has always been his dream. It will be an exciting next couple of years, that's for sure. If all goes according to plan we will end up in Georgia for a few months while Sean completes his Marshal training program. An adventure for sure! :)

We have decided to hold off on preschool for Cory for this year. I spent many nights awake in bed mulling over the decision. I'm still kind of torn but all in all I'm happy with our decision to wait one more year. He has his whole life to go to school but only a few years to be a little boy and I'm very thankful that I have such a special opportunity to spend those few "little boy years" with him.

Potty training is the next big item on our family agenda. I've been putting it off for various reasons but I know he's ready. Next week it's full speed ahead and hopefully we'll have a potty trained toddler by the time we leave for Maine.

Today is Saturday and Sean is helping a friend's parents with a garage door issue so it's just me and Cory today. We just finished making pancakes and now we're lounging around. We don't have any special plans for the rest of the weekend, just to spend as much time together as a family as possible. Hope everyone else has a great weekend too!