It's beginning to look a lot like...

Things have been crazy here at the Helman household trying to get ready for Christmas! We've had Xmas parties, Xmas shopping, plays, ball games, etc. You name it, we've probably had it! Unfortunately, Jarrett has caught his first real cold:( And with his breathing history, we have to take many more precautions. He's had to add more breathing treatments to his day, which he DOESN'T like might I add. His poor little nose is so raw, I just feel so bad for the little guy. Hopefully, he feels better by the weekend because he is staying with Aunt Kristy and the kids again on Saturday night so Justin and I can go to my Xmas party. (Yes, I said another Xmas party)
Also, on another note, I've decided to go back to school to get my Master's Degree and right now I'm thinking of getting it in either Secondary Education or Higher Education, so I can teach! I've really been indecisive on what I want to be when I grow up ;) I really truly loved my first job out of college at Worldwide Express, but it wasn't possible to keep that position and move back home. I then, went to work for IBC for about a year and thought I was ready for a change again (wrong), so I went to Coca Cola. I've now realized that I truly need to help people and have an impact on their lives (while having weekends and holidays off, not to mention the summers ;) I really truly feel this will be the best fit for me and I will be happy doing this. Keep your fingers crossed!
I just want to put a plug in for my wonderful husband too. As many of you know, Justin is a loan officer for MetLife Home Loans. Well, rates are at an all time low!!!! So, if anyone is considering refinancing or purchasing a home anytime soon, now would be the best time, so definitely give him a call or visit his web site at www.lo.mlhl.com/justinhelman. We really appreciate it. Just think, you will be contributing to Jarrett's college fund :)
I can't get away without posting a couple pics of our precious one.

Ooppss..

So, I completely forgot this Monday about the "Not Me Monday" Oh well, things have been completely crazy around here since Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, oh yes, we had a great Thanksgiving. We were able to spend the day over in Ohio with Justin's family, it was so nice! We came back Thursday night because as many of you know, I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY! Unfortunately, I had to work at 7am! BBOOOOO!! But, nonetheless, I did get up and was at Kohls at 4am with my sis! We always decorate the tree at my parents that night and we also had Sophie's bday party because she had to get her tonsils out this past Wed...right before her bday on the 12th. She was a trooper though and is feeling great! We had my family Thanksgiving on Saturday and family pics on Sundsy...so busy busy is what we've been.

Anyway, it's been a stressful week. As mentioned before, Sophie had her tonsils out on Wednesday, my mom was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for what they think is a Peptic Ulcer, so she was there for three days. And to top it off, Jarrett had to get the Synagis shot so he doesn't get RSV on Wednesday. A little about this shot...it is typically reserved for preemies and babies who have chronic lung disease and heart problems, but his Pulmonologist recommended he get it to be safe! Luckily she convinced our insurance to cover it; otherwise, we were looking at $2000 a shot! Oh, did I say, he has to get a shot once a month for 5 months! Yah! Thank you Lord for our insurance covering this! Anyways, he wasn't too thrilled about this shot, he had to get two and boy was he mad! He screamed so much that I did see two molars coming in! So, now we have a fussy boy who doesn't feel good from two shots and two teeth!

We hope everyone is doing well. Here are a couple pics from Thanksgiving.

Not Me...Mondays

So, my friend, Lindsey, has started doing this and I decided to give it a shot. Every Monday, I, along with many other moms, get to take a "time out" to be brutally honest. Sounds fun, right? We'll see...

Just thinking back on this past week, I can think of so much to be thankful for with Thanksgiving approaching. Number one...I'm so incredibly thankful for God blessing Justin and I with an amazing little boy. (who by the way, cracks us up every single day) I can't even imagine life without him. But, I did not have a sigh of relief when Justin came home from work tonight and said HE would take care of Jarrett's breathing treatment tonight.

I also did not allow Jarrett to brush his teeth in the tub and continue to dip his toothbrush into his bath water only to put it back in his mouth. Did you say diaper changes? Oh yes, I definitely did not let Jarrett rub his hands in the diaper cream already applied!

And our poor dogs, I most definitely didn't watch Jarrett sit on Taylor and hop up and down because he thought she was a horse. And I did not see her pitiful eyes telling me to please make him stop.

Cleaning up dinner while daddy isn't home. Oh yes, I did not leave Jarrett in his high chair to keep him contained after dinner so I could clean the kitchen! I would have loved to chase him back and forth and to and from the dog water while trying to clean the kitchen!

To be continued....Next Monday (if I remember)

Welcome Darrin!

This past weekend we traveled up to Berrien Springs, MI to visit our friends Doug and Sarah. Sarah recently gave birth to little Darrin as I mentioned in a previous post, so we wanted to make our way up there and meet him! Jarrett and Alex had a great time playing together and we had a great time catching up with Doug and Sarah.

Jarrett and Alex decided to play IN the toy box....Look at that big cheeser!

Also, on Friday before heading up to Michigan, we stopped by St. Vincent's hospital in Indy to visit our very good friend Morgan, who is in there with pancreatitis (sp?) She is getting much better and we are so thankful for that and for the wonderful doctors down at St. V's! We can't wait for Morgan to come home to her precious baby girl, Layla! Get better soon, Morg! We love ya!

The Last one tonight...I promise

We've had a busy fun filled weekend!

On Saturday while we were up visiting Aunt Crystal and Uncle Cameron, my great friend from college, Kelly, had her beautiful baby girl, Khloe Marie Goble! Weighing in at 8lbs 2oz, Khloe made her entrance at 12:51pm on Saturday. Jarrett wasn't able to visit her today because he is awful snotty, but Justin and I went to meet her. She is so sweet! I'm sure her and Jarrett will be great friends that cause an awful lot of trouble! Congrats Kelly and Jeff.



Also, Justin's great friend from college, Doug and his wife Sarah welcomed their second little boy today around 3pm. Weighing in at 9lbs. 15oz...Sarah is my hero!!!! Baby O'dell doesn't have a name yet, but will soon. We are going to visit this weekend, so we will have to re-introduce him to you all. Big brother Alex (2yrs) will have plenty to teach his little brother.




Just wanted to post a couple pics of how excited Jarrett is to meet his new friends


Yes, he still has his tattoo!

Monster Golf!

On Saturday, we decided to make the trip up to Lafayette to see Aunt Crystal and Uncle Cameron. We went Monster Golfing, which is miniature golf in black lights! So fun! They also had animated monsters, dragons, etc. Jarrett had a big time!

Jarrett even got his own golf club

Picking the goblin's nose

Future brain surgeon?

Doing the chicken dance with Aunt Crystal

He also got his first tattoo!

Don't worry, it's not real!! :)

We had a ROARING Halloween

Well, this was actually Jarrett's second Halloween, but considering he was only a little over a month old last year, we had a little more fun this year. He dressed up as a fierocious lion!

Trick or treating started on Thursday night for us. We attended a local church's Trunk or Treat with Aunt Kristy and the kids.

Will dressed up as an Imagination Mover from the Disney Channel. He thought Jarrett needed to wear his cowboy hat.

Grandpa Robbins made a surprise visit from Tennessee. He went Trunk or Treating with all of us.

Jarrett got a little fussy because he was so tired, but it was nothing a sucker couldn't heal.

Joshua and Jarrett meet......again

A couple days ago, Lindsey, Adam and sweet little Joshua came to visit us. They are in town from Atlanta and Lindsey and I always like to get the boys together since they are only five days apart. They will be moving here soon and we are so excited! Lindsey and I were college roommates for a while and rekindled our friendship when we both found out we were pregnant at the same time! I'm sure Joshua and Jarrett will become great friends.....or should I say great troublemakers together! :)

Playing baseball together

They kept throwing balls over the gate

Joshua was tickling Jarrett

Have a safe trip back to Georgia!

Pumpkin Carving

Okay, so I usually never post two days in a row just because I don't have the time, but I couldn't resist. Tonight, instead of going on a walk, we decided to carve Jarrett's pumpkin! He was so excited. He kept pounding on our front door until I went out to bring his pumpkin in to carve. The great Neice got Jarrett a stencil of Goodnight Moon (Jarrett's fav book) for his pumpkin.

He kept taking the top off and putting it back on

Daddy shows him how to do it and he thinks its pretty funny

Let me try now

This is pretty fun

Yes, him and Justin started throwing it!

Digging out the "guts"

Finished project

Goats Goats Goats

Yesterday I took Jarrett to Jacobs Family Orchard to pick out his pumpkin. He had such a blast! We started off by sampling their famous Apple Doughnuts...yummy. He and Will chowed down on them. Oh ya, by the way, Aunt Kristy and the kids went with us. Next, we went for the Apple Slushies...mmmmm mmmmm good. Aunt Kristy gave Jarrett a drink and he took it from her and drank all the juice! She only had ice left...that little stinker. We made our way over to the goats. I wasn't so sure how Jarrett would react to them, boy was I surprised. He took the goat food and went right up to the goats. He made a fist so they couldn't get the food, so they licked and nibbled his hand. I've never heard the little guy cackle so much. It was hysterical. I wish I would've gotten it on video. Then the little stinker snuck to my apple cider and drank all my juice! We made our way over to the hay bales that the kids could climb on and got some really good pictures. While the older kids went on a hay ride, we let Will and Jarrett play in the pumpkins. Sooo cute. Jarrett rode a pumpkin while Will climbed all over them. Check out our fun day below....

New Games

Jarrett has developed some new games that he now likes to play. One being helping me with laundry by climbing in and out of the basket while I'm trying to fold clothes.

He also likes to feed himself now

Jarrett isn't allowed to climb up the stairs by himself, so he just sits then stands up on the first step. He gets so proud of himself.

However, I'm not so sure what this face means...

It looks like he is saying, "Whatch you gonna do about it"

Fall Festival

This Saturday, Sept. 27th, there is a fall festival at LP Greenhouse right off Kennard Road. There will be food, music, and many booths for people to shop. It is from 9am-5pm. Kristy and I will have our Uppercase Living booth set up, so please stop by. It should be a great time and a great way to welcome fall!!! If you need directions, please let me know.

Our Uppercase Living business is really doing well and we really enjoy helping people decorate their homes, pick out gifts for friends/families, etc. People are falling in love with the expressions we offer and the opportunity to create their own expressions. With the new fall/winter catalog just coming out, there are many new expressions and colors. These expressions can really "warm" up a home! I really hope you guys can take a look at our own web site and view the catalog! If you do so choose, you can have an open house, but I know many of you don't live around here. We have done a couple catalog parties for people who live far away and they have been so successful and the ladies have gotten a lot of free expressions for themselves.

So, back to the festival....we are going to have a door prize drawing and other giveaways for people who come.

Hope to see you there!

Jarrett is 1!!!!!!

So, we had a really busy weekend. First, Justin, Jarrett and I celebrated his first bday on Thursday (his actual bday). Jarrett opened presents from us and got his first go round with a cake. Then, on Saturday, we had his BIG bday party. Thanks so much to everyone who came and a special thanks to Melissa for making the best little cake for Jarrett. It was a goodnight moon cake!!! Jarrett got so many presents that we still don't know what to do with everything! We can't believe our little man is 1 yrs. old already. He is really walking everywhere now and growing up so fast! :(

On Sunday, we had my friend from college, Kelly's, baby shower. Little Khloe will be here around Nov. Jarrett can't wait to meet her. He is going to have so many little girlfriends! He know has his cousin, Mia, 2nd cousin, Gracie, and little miss Layla Pryor to play with. He isn't going to know what to do with another little girl. Luckily, Justin's cousin, Tara, is due to have a little boy in December. Whew!

Oh oh oh!!!! Exciting news!!!! Our very bestest friends, Krissy and Prater! Yes....they are expecting too!!!! Yah!!!!!!!

Jarrett had a dr. appt. yesterday with his Pulmonologist. Everything looks good and she sees improvement in his breathing from our last appt. Yah! We have to continue with 1 breathing treatment a day through the cold/flu season. He has to get a flu shot as well as another shot to help prevent him from getting RSV. We are going to see his GI doctor today, so we will update you on that.

Hope everyone is doing well.

He climbed on top of his present while opening it.

What's in there?

We are still alive...

I apologize for not posting in like a month! Things have been crazy at the Helman household. First, Jarrett will be 1 next week!!!! Oh my, I can't believe how fast this past year has went, it's really kind of sad, but also exciting because he is reaching new milestones all the time...like...walking! Yes, he is walking! We have been busy planning his bday party as well as my friend from college, Kelly's, baby shower. (which I so kindly said we could have at my house..the day after Jarrett's party!) I only have to clean once then, right? Ha, yeah right! I'm very excited for both though.

My job at Coke is going pretty good, just a lot to learn and take in. It has been overwhelming, but I think I will really enjoy it once I grasp everything. It has been nice to be home with Jarrett about 4-4:30pm everyday!

Justin's job is keeping him busy too and he is still loving it. He now works for MetLife Home Loans rather than First Horizon because MetLife bought First Horizon.

Jarrett has started going to a new babysitter until December because Miss Linda has a seasonal job she does every year. His new babysitter watches him Mon and Wed, which he likes her a lot, and the wonderful Melissa Lovett watches him Tues/Thurs. We all know Jarrett LOVES Melissa. (Well, both Melissas now...his new babysitter's name is Melissa too)

I will definitely try to get some pics up soon, but I just wanted you all to know..we are still here and kicking it.

Oh yeah...can't forget our very good friends John and Morgan. They are going into the hospital tonight to have little miss Layla Grace Pryor tomorrow!! We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet Layla!!!

Check it Out!

Check out my sister and mine's new web site!
http://middletownsisters.uppercaseliving.net

Rambling Departure

Well, it's time for a career change for me yet once again. On Friday, July 25th, I accepted a job at Coca-Cola as an Account Manager. I really feel this position is more "Me" and that I will truly love the job and find it to be very rewarding. However, it was difficult for me to relay that news to my coworkers, managers, etc here at Indiana Business College. I have been at IBC a little over a year and have really developed some great relationships, so it will be difficult to depart from them, but I couldn't turn down the opportunity at Coca Cola. First, my hours are much better to where I will be home every evening with Justin and Jarrett, which is huge for me because 1-2 nights a week, I wouldn't get home from work until 8pm or so and my sweet little boy would already be in bed. (Thank you to my amazing husband for taking over Jarrett's bedtime routine on those nights..love you) I will also receive a company car and gas card, so we are finally going to be able to get rid of our HHR (thank heavens!), and be able to save that money each month! I'm really excited about this opportunity and look forward to joining the Coca Cola team next Monday!

What else are we up to? Well, Jarrett is just about walking..taking about 4-5 steps at a time, so the baby gates are up! I would think in the next couple weeks, he will on the run. Justin and I have been working on the house some more trying to get it finished before Jarrett's first birthday party! What! Our baby is going to be 1 already??? I can't believe how time flies. Stayed tuned for more info on his celebration. Anyway, back to the house, Justin has been working on our landscaping in the front and back yard (with a fountain and everything..woo!) and I have been scraping wallpaper (yuck!) in our downstairs bathroom so we can paint it. I want it painted by this Sunday because my sister and I are having an Uppercase Living open house at our house, so if you aren't doing anything, come on over! It is from 2-4pm and it is a come and go as you please. You will be able to take home a free expression too! If you need directions, let me know. Also, if you can't make it, but would like to see the catalog, let me know.

Justin and my dad have been golfing every week for a couple months now, and now they think its my turn to golf...oh goodness! I borrowed Morgan's golf clubs to try it out...I'll keep you posted on that one too! HA!

Well, I think I've rambled on long enough. Hope you all have a great day!

How could you not just eat him up?

Linda, Jarrett's wonderful babysitter, took this picture of him after he ate lunch. I just loved it, so I wanted to share.

P.S. (I think he looks like me in this picture.... ;) )

First Haircut! Well....kinda

We have been wanting to get Jarrett's haircut for a while now because his hair is out of control! This kid always has the worst case of bed head I've ever seen. Even when we wet it, brush it, gel it....it still seems to be everywhere 10 minutes afterwards. We haven't been able to find time to go get it cut, so Justin decided to give it a whirl last Saturday. Take a look...

Jarrett LOVES the sweeper. Everytime I vaccum, he chases me around trying to catch the sweeper...weird, I know. So, in these pictures, Jarrett was sitting next to the vaccum (while it was on, so he couldn't hear the trimmers). Everything was going great until Jarrett leaned back and SNIP! He know has a small shaved area at the back of his head! Ha! Just adds character, right? So, Justin decided to call it quits and we will just have his hair cut some other time!

Congratulations!

Now introducing...Mr. and Mrs. Rich and Nikki Gilman!

My college roommate, Nikki, got married this past weekend up in Lafayette. It was such a pretty ceremony and I've never seen Nikki so happy! Rich is the perfect guy for her. Congratulations Nikki and Rich!

Justin and I right before the wedding.

We have to say thank you to my parents for watching Jarrett overnight, so Justin and I could go to the wedding and enjoy a night out together!

Time to Catch Up!

How cute is he????

Well, I was on vacation last week, so didn't have much time to update everyone. Ha, yeah right! I had all the time in the world because I did absolutely nothing, and loved every minute of it! Jarrett and I spent the whole week together going on walks, playing, swimming, etc. Of course, we missed Justin terribly while he was at work, and we so glad to see him every night when he got home! I didn't get too many pictures this week, but snapped a few at Shadyside Park on Monday when I took Jarrett, Kassidy and Krystin to the park.