Well, the "stretching technique" again was put to use and rescued us from a possible fire station mishap. What a delight to be able to attend a tour of the local fire station, at no cost AND with Carter's friends. One would think so, right? Wellllll, chalk it up to me waking Carter from a deep sleep or the overwhelming size and atmosphere of the fire engine/ station, but Carter pulled the extra-sensitive shy-guy routine the second we pulled into the station.

I was beside myself, because as of late, he's been all things emergency vehicles and power machines (duh, reference post below). When I mentioned enthusiastically that he would get to "drive" the fire engine, all cheerfulness plummeted, and I was faced with a clingy, scared little boy.

Let him warm up to the idea. Didn't work. Let him touch the levers, started working. MAKE HIM sit in the driver's seat. There goes the heartless mom, the one with the child who hid behind her legs the entire time the Captain gave his fire safety speech, throwing her child into the leather arms of the scary fire engine driver's seat. All I could think about was swimming lessons, and how with a personality like Carter's, sometimes one has to be stretched.

So glad I did it. I told him that I wanted to drive, and unfortunately, I couldn't hold him on my lap, so I dumped him in the chair. Within 30 seconds he was telling me what the buttons did, instructing me how to wear the head set and asking where the siren button was.

We were the last ones there. No need to say more... just a document of what we encountered:

Carter experiencing a home baked cookie by the newest fireman (Pathetically burnt and crispy-could you expect much less from an adorably dimply rookie? Kids obviously didn't notice.).

It was difficult to get a smile out of him as he was way too distracted to even pause to look at the camera.

Mommy looking slightly pregnant, but a sweet moment captured. Notice shy-guy taking it all in.

The highlight of the day, spraying the hose... Carter was NOT shy about taking his turn here.

Hmmmn. I hardly think so. I think we as women give that up the second we feel that first bout of nausea or the first time we have to decline a glass of wine. Others don't notice it until they find themselves running to the bathroom every 5 mins. I still don't understand how hormones make you need to pee more. BACK ON TRACK, Jodi.

A slight update to the nap take. I told you I was working on tweaking the nap schedule so that I still get that much adored "me" time. Although I am far from supersticious, I am slightly unmotivated to post the new schedule as usually when that happens, something changes. This is another reason why the fridge schedule has not been updated as well (yes, the Mockaboys have their schedule finely printed out--more for the benefit of husband and babysitters--step back!).

My "me" time now is down to one hour, but at least it exists, it also allows room for fun things like grocery shopping or errands. It allows me to get out of the house and still allows some outdoor time before it gets dark at night.

An example of the new hobby I picked up that fills up a portion of that one-hour is pictured below. I am officially obsessed with all things felt and will now find a purpose to use it in everything. Clothing, crafts, headbands, educational purposes. Perhaps I will make some placemats. Has anyone ever seen felt placemats?

To the Rescue!

It's all about ME!