Literary Adventure

This morning, Target stores all across the country had storytime with Dr. Seuss books. I thought it would be fun to take Alex to hear Oh the Places You'll Go.

As you can see, he was more interested in the kids than he was the story. But he sat quietly through the whole thing.

I'll admit I was expecting a little more fanfare. Costumes. Balloons. Something. I think they missed an opportunity. I'm just sayin'.

Mission: THRIVE (Check-in)

When it comes time for the accountability of progress on a goal, I am the one who approaches the day with dread. "Here we go again...another reminder of how I haven't done what I said I was going to do." And then the guilt just piles on. Ugh.

But for the second month in a row - and probably for the second time in my life (January's check-in being the first) - I'm looking forward to sharing my personal goal progress. Seriously people, I am just not good at writing goals down and following through. But Mission: THRIVE has been different. I think because I was at a place in my life where I knew some things needed to change.

(Note: this photo has nothing to do with the post other than to nestle in a sweet little nugget of goodness and make me smile. =D )

Last month I said I wanted to develop a weekly meal plan and cook meals at home at least three nights a week. Check and check. Yep, got both of those done. In fact, I've found some great resources for meal planning and am now cooking at least five nights a week. WOOHOO!

Now, it may sound crazy that I'm so excited about this. But the truth is that Jerry and I have always enjoyed eating out which 9 times out of 10 equates to unhealthy eating habits. (The only time we've had this many vegetables consistently since we've been married was in the two weeks my mom was here after Alex was born. That is so incredibly embarrassing to admit, but it's true. I mean, we've been married for s-e-v-e-n y-e-a-r-s.) Now we're eating better and for less money.

I'd like to go on a slight tangent, if I may, but I promise it will bring us back to another goal update. Eating better has helped me lose all but one - count 'em ONE - pound of the baby weight I gained with Alex. Oh, and I'm not stopping there. I'm going to say goodbye to that last pound and a couple more of his friends, too.

Losing weight this past month has motivated me to pile up every last piece of maternity wear and take it up to the attic for storage. No more pulling out a shirt to hide behind when I'm having a "fat day." No sir. Those days are behind me now, and it's time to move on.

Packing up the maternity wear meant the start of getting our closets organized. And "begin organizing the house" was one of the last month's goals. See? I told you I'd bring you back around.

Now I may not have officially completed the specific goals I set - organizing the guest bedroom and the bed linens - but the master closets (we have four), the pantry, and the basement are underway, and I count that as major progress.

Evidence of the progress...

Next up, practicing skills from my photography class. Well I've been trying. I think it might help me to go back and re-read some of the lessons. And for spring to arrive. Because I can tell that I'm going to get better photos outside than in my house, and as much as I keep looking for the first buds of spring to be appearing, they just aren't yet. So I'll keep posting the pics I can get, and hopefully they'll continue to improve.

Alright, here are the couple that I haven't done so well with - finishing His Needs, Her Needs and having a quiet time every morning. I've read a little further in the book, and while I haven't had consistent quiet times, I have been reading more in my bible and some devotionals throughout the day. Not ideal, but a little bit of progress.

Before I sign off today, I just have to say how incredibly blessed I am to have Jerry as my husband.

When we got married, we had our rings engraved with a Latin phrase that translates "God has joined us." I am so glad He did. As I've worked to make some significant changes in my life, Jerry has been a wonderful supporter and encourager. I can feel our marriage strengthening every day, and God is doing some really amazing work there. Lots of praise and thanks for that.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I look forward to checking back in again next month where I will report on:

• Attempting a small sewing project
• Finishing the curtains in the guest bedroom
• Creating and implementing a cleaning schedule for the house
• Taking Alex for walks at the park on warmer weather days
• Continued morning quiet times
• Oh, and FINISHING THAT BOOK!

Little Man's Big Adventures - Hokie Town

Are you spontaneous? I wish I could say that I am, but I'm more of a planner. Every once in a while, though...

This weekend was one of those every-once-in-a-while moments. We woke up to a forecast of sunshine and 60º, and I got the stirring for some sightseeing.

So we loaded up and headed to Hokie Town (a.k.a. Blacksburg, Virginia - home of Virginia Tech). Now, I'm not partial or impartial to that school, but I thought it would be a waste to live so close and never see it.

We stopped and ate lunch at a local hamburger joint. I asked Jerry if he wanted to split because I was planning to save room for this:

Rita's

Ice • Custard • Happiness

I mean, come on! Who wouldn't want to order up a little happiness. =)

A double scoop for me, please!

We spent the rest of the day soaking up the sunshine and walking Alex around the campus. We took him to see the "quack-quacks" at the duck pond.

To see the boys playing frisbee football in the snow - while wearing SHORTS!

To see the beautiful buildings.

And enjoying some quality family time.

Emergency Assistance Needed

Does anyone own a Diaper Champ? If so, PLEASE give me advice on how to get the lingering dirty diaper smell out of there. I've cleaned the thing three times today - with Comet, with Mr. Clean, and with Pine Sol. The smell of poo-poo still lingers. Is there anything that will get rid of that smell?

Seafood anyone?

Seahorse?

Lobster, perhaps?

Sweet Heart

This is the sweetest little heart I know.

Happy Valentine's Day. Alex sends his love.

Sammy and Alex - 7 Months

My sweet little angel turned seven months old yesterday. We started our day with the story about the day he was born. I told him about how my water broke early that morning. About how his Noni was in the car and on the road in record time so that she could help welcome him into this world. About how excited his daddy and I were to meet him. And about how these last seven months have been so full of joy with him in our family.

He smiled while I shared my memories. I smiled, too. And then his smile turned into laughter as he tried to outsmart me in our morning wresting match.

That's right - he flips, flops, rolls, and scoots all while I'm trying to try to lotion him up, change his diaper, and get him dressed on top of his changing table. Jerry and I have had to try and distract him with a toy so that he'll stay put. This trick will probably only work for another day or two. Then we're really going to be in trouble because this kid is HARD to keep still.

He talks up a storm and is making new sounds. I'm pretty sure that during our wrestling match he's trying to tell me, "Come on, Momma, I've got things to do, places to go, and toys to see!" =) We have conversations all day long. He talks to me, I talk to him - just like we're old friends. He shares his joys, his jokes, his frustrations, his hurts - all of it. And I just soak it all in.

Alex is on the brink of crawling. He'll get up on his arms and legs and rock back and forth and then make a lunge or scoot forward. I don't think it will be long before he's got the coordination of it all down and he begins exploring the house. We're working on baby-proofing. And it's a good thing Nana and Pops have already put up a chain link fence in their backyard so that Little Man doesn't wander off into the lake!

One of the sad milestones I've faced in the last month has been the end to nursing. I chuckle to think back on the days when I was pregnant, and I approached nursing - like so many things - very rationally. "If it works, great. If it doesn't, that's ok, too." And then Alex was born, and the emotions set in.

At that point, I really wanted nursing to work because what I thought would be just a means of getting him fed became a very endearing time together. I loved the fact that I could give him something that no one else could, and I loved the time we got to spend together - especially in the middle of the night when it was just the two of us.

Before Alex was born, I never understood how nursing "creates a bond" like all the books say. But now I do. I still can't explain it, but it is truly an emotional experience. So having it come to an end has been sad for me. It signifies one chapter closing, and I am reminded again about how quickly he'll grow up. This is where I give praise to God that I am able to stay at home with him. What a blessing!

In other food news, Alex has been eating solids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His favorite - FRUITS. If we're feeding him fruit of any variety, he opens his mouth and stretches his neck forward for the next bite just like a baby bird. Now, if we're feeding him veggies, he's not as eager to get the next bite, and he'll just take his sweet time. Sometimes he even spits it out. Oh, and meats? Don't even think about it unless they're disguised as fruits (Apples and Chicken) or a veggie he likes (Sweet Potatoes with Turkey). Then maybe, just maybe, he'll eat it.

He tries to take his bib off during mealtime. Sometimes he's successful, and sometimes he's not. He also likes to chew on it. And he always has to stop and take notice of what's on his bib - his name, an animal, monsters, food. Nothing gets by him.

Yes, Alex has become very observant. For example, a month or so ago you could have set him in his stroller, and he would have just looked forward. Now, he notices the straps, the fabric - all the parts. I'm pretty sure this is only because he is on the lookout for something to put in his mouth. Because everything goes in his mouth. All to help soothe the teeth he's got coming in.

He's got four teeth now - the two lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) and the two upper lateral incisors (the teeth on each side of the top front teeth). By the looks of his gums, the top central incisors (front teeth) will be coming in before long, too.

Here are his latest stats.

• Height - 27.8" (75th percentile)
• Weight - 17 lbs 13 oz (37th percentile)
• Head Circumference - 17.8" (75th percentile)

He's also developed tickle spots - mostly on the side of his ribs. I've got to try and get some video footage of this. It's hilarious to watch his reaction.

As I think about these last seven months, one of the things I'm most grateful for is our family and friends who love Alex so much. I am excited for what lies ahead in his sweet little life and that he will know love in such mighty ways. We are blessed.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

We're on our second straight day of snowfall. The snow this weekend is different from the snow we had last weekend. Last weekend it was dry and powdery. This weekend it's wet and heavy. We've also had some sleet showers mixed in making everything more icy.

Here are some pics, although it's very difficult to give perspective for how much snow this really is. I'll try to get some more pics later today that do a better job.

It's Crazy Out There!

We are preparing for this weekend. Have you seen it on the news?

Apparently the Governor of Virginia has already declared a state of emergency for the entire state because of the winter storms we have coming this weekend. They start tonight around midnight and go through Saturday evening - at least in the Roanoke Valley.

So I thought it would be wise to go to the store to stock up on groceries before we were trapped in the house because of the 11 inches of snow we're supposed to get. Apparently everyone else had the same idea. It was MADNESS!!

I'm in the checkout line. Turn to the right, and this is what you see.

Turn to the left, and this is what you see.

Can you believe these crowds? (Note to self - get your rear to the store sooner than the night before the storms are scheduled to arrive.)

Alex was so good - especially considering that it was quickly creeping up on his night-night time, and we were in a LONG line to check out.

But just as it was about our turn, Alex let out a blood-curdling scream. I couldn't help myself. I laughed out loud because I thought he was just expressing what everyone else was feeling. AAAAAHHHHHH! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!

Creative juice update

If you left a comment on the last post - thank you. Deb, I wish I had checked in to see your note before I started shooting today because I really liked your idea. I'll have to attempt that soon.

After shooting A-L-L day long, here are the two shots I ended up turning in.

Something that makes me happy.

Something red.

And, just for grins, I thought I'd share this photo - it was one I worked on for the "something red" shot, but it didn't quite turn out as well as I had hoped.

The biggest lesson I've learned in this class is that the technical piece is significantly easier than the creative arrangement of subject matter. At least for me. What's next? Practice, practice, practice.

Need some creative juices

Tomorrow my final pictures for my photography class are due. The assignment: take a picture of something red and of something that makes me happy.

I shot something red...

I was pretty proud of my berries, buuuut somebody else already submitted berries so I'll be attempting to shoot something else tomorrow. I've got something in mind.

Now about that "something that makes me happy." I had an idea to shoot this passage of scripture.

This scripture makes me happy because my greatest prayer for Alex is that he would be blessed with much wisdom. After about 97 shots to get this ONE photo, I decided that I might like it better if I added a little something extra.

And so I took another 97 shots to get THIS one photo.

(Actually - this is a cheat shot because I cropped it which you aren't supposed to do.) But you know what? I'm STILL NOT HAPPY WITH IT!!!!

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt a different "something that makes me happy shot," too. But unlike the red shot, I've got no ideas of what to use.

I need some creative juices.

New Chompers

I think Alex has picked up on the vampire hype. Check out his new "fangs." I hope the front two teeth join soon.


(Click on the photo to see a larger image.)

Snow Ice Cream

When life gives you snow, make snow ice cream. And ol' Paula Deen has just the recipe.

8 cups snow

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Just mix together and voila! You have a tasty treat.