Smile Steady

Smile Friday

2012-01-27T08:59:00.000-06:00

I wasn't very good about remembering to take pictures this week, so once again there are lots of cell phone pics. And it seems like my go to shot when I've forgotten to take a picture is Abbott in his pajamas. Good thing he's so cute!

Tummy time. He's still not a huge fan.

Hanging out with Uncle B and Aunt Bear

Our friend Mayumi, AKA the Japanese baby whisperer. Abe loves his Mayu!

Little chunker...

My bedtime routine. Some of my best blog posts have been written here... and some of the worst.

Monster jammies

We were going to try to let him sleep unswaddled. He liked the freedom (obviously), but wound up getting swaddled about 20 minutes after this was taken because he wasn't sleeping as well. Better luck next time!

The Veggie Files

2012-01-25T08:49:00.001-06:00

I'm kind of an information junkie. When I find something that interests me, I'll search to the ends of the internet and back again to absorb every last detail about it. This job that I've been interviewing for? Suffice it to say that I've researched everything from the company's mission statement to one disgruntled ex-employee's trash talk posted on some obscure forum in 2007.

The ends of the internet, people...

So I think it's only natural that I'm drawn to the documentaries on Netflix. I've watched many. In fact, the "Suggestions For You" section is full of them. And let me just add, the more a documentary delves into conspiracy theories, the better. I'm kind of a freak like that.

So anyway, the latest flick I watched was Forks Over Knives.

credit

In it, they claim that pretty much every horrible disease we get, including multiple cancers, can be prevented and even reversed by eating a plant-based whole foods diet. They show a few people who suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol, heart problems, insomnia, etc., and after a short time on this diet they are all skinny(er) and healed!

Conspiracy Theory Alert: They also suggest that the USDA's healthy food guidelines are biased due to funding and industry ties.

Lots of facts PLUS a conspiracy theory = I was hooked.

So I went to the grocery store today full of good intentions to clean out the produce section (did I mention I'm also pretty gullible and like to believe everything I see in those documentaries?) when some chocolate chip cookie dough called my name. And while I did leave with plenty of leafy greens and juicy fruits, they were accompanied in my buggy by some frozen pizza and way too many snack foods.

I'm weak...

But well-informed!

Anyway, I'm really going to attempt to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet, but there's no way this girl's gonna give up her meats and cheeses. I will try to cut back though. That means I need some tasty new vegetarian dishes to add into the line-up. Do you all have any good ones? I think a good meal plan up my sleeve would really help me do better at the grocery store. I'll also take smoothie recipes. I do love me a good smoothie. :)

Let me know if you've got any great recipes, or even if you just know of some good vegetarian recipe sites. Again, I cannot and will not go fully vegetarian, at least not right now, but I'd like to go without meat maybe a couple of nights a week (if my husband can handle it).

I am also accepting great documentary recommendations. And new conspiracy theories. They're out to getcha, you know! ;)

The dingo ate your baby

2012-01-24T09:34:00.000-06:00

Okay, so Mac isn't really a dingo, but he kind of looks like one, right?

I don't see any reason why he would want to eat the baby, though. That thing makes weird loud noises and smells awful, at least that's what I'm pretty sure Mac thinks.

It was always surprising during my pregnancy when people would ask me what we planned on doing with him after the baby was born. What do you mean what are we going to do? Are we supposed to do something?

Mac was our first son. We rescued him from the shelter when he was just 8 weeks old, and we LOVE that dog. To think that we would get rid of him when the baby came was absurd! I truly believe our baby is safer with Mac around than he would be otherwise.

He definitely has those German Shepherd instincts. He wouldn't let a stranger so much as look at Abbott if he didn't think we were okay with it. Luckily, he takes his cues from us and has never had to actually protect us from anyone. And as fierce as his bark sounds when you approach our front door, the tail wagging that ensues once he realizes you are a friend is much more painful.

I can't wait for the day he and Abe become close friends. I've seen Mac play with our friends' children, and it amazes me how well he adapts his play style from child to child, depending on the size and energy of said child. There is no play with Abbott, yet. Just the occasional sniff and head tilt when his crying picks up.

Every once in a while, if I'm in the other room when Abbott starts crying, Mac will come and stick his head in, as if to say, "it's making that noise again... I need you to come make it stop." And if he cries in the night while Mac is sleeping at the foot of our bed, he'll grumble and walk out. He gets grumpy when you wake him up!

He's as gentle and patient as can be though, even now when he's clearly not our top priority anymore. And we do try to get in some fun with him, taking walks and visiting the ducks when weather permits.

He may not be making as many appearances here as he used to, but we certainly haven't forgotten our old friend. And he definitely hasn't eaten the baby.

Smile Friday

2012-01-20T06:48:00.002-06:00

Here's the third week of me taking pictures everyday. I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little bit surprised I've stuck with it this long. Nineteen days down, three hundred, forty-seven to go!

Stamping cards

Family walk to the duck pond (I was NOT expecting Mac to jump in the water... brrr!)

Getting ready for church

Sleeping baby

Smiling baby

2 month doctor's appointment

2 month (and one day) photo shoot

2 Months

2012-01-19T15:00:00.000-06:00

Abbott,

My sweet, sweet boy. As of yesterday, you are two months old!

This month has been so much fun. It seems like you are doing something new every single day. You are growing like a little weed, too!

Compared to just a month ago

Yesterday at your appointment you weighed in at 12 lbs 11 oz, and you were 23.5 inches long. This puts you in the 75th percentile for both weight and height. You are a big boy! Even the nurse commented on those chunky little thighs of yours. They're just so perfectly squeezable.

You gave me your first deliberate smile the week before Christmas. Since then, we've been seeing those little baby gums more and more each day. You think bathroom humor is especially funny, and give us the biggest grin anytime you manage to spray your Daddy during diaper changes. :)

Yesterday before your appointment you even giggled a bit. You are just SUCH a happy boy, and that happiness is contagious. I've never seen anyone frown while holding you!

You found your thumbs this month, and day by day you're learning to use those little hands. A few weeks ago, you would gladly suck on your fingers anytime your hands accidentally landed by your mouth. Now it seems you're able to get your thumbs to your mouth on purpose, and you do it often. I still don't want this to become a habit, but it's just so cute I can't bear to make you stop!

On that note, you still don't care too much about your paci. There are certainly times it's been a lifesaver, but then there are entire days when you'll refuse it. It's just not as tasty as that thumb of yours!

You definitely know your mama and daddy. If I speak while someone else is holding you, you will immediately turn your head in my direction. Yesterday you caught my eyes during your doctor's exam and flashed the biggest grin, like I caught you doing something silly. It melts my heart every time, sweet boy.

You love bath time. It's our secret weapon when you get a little fussy in the evenings. After you're all clean, we'll hold just your head above the water and your little frog legs will kick and swim the best they can. You love being in the water.

You also love music, and it amazes me how much you show preference to certain kinds of music already. Sadly, you prefer your daddy's rock to mommy's Taylor Swift. You also love the singing at church. Even if I have to take you out of the auditorium, you calm down as soon as you can hear the congregation singing. I hope your love of music never goes away.

Sleep is still really hit or miss for us. You did sleep from 11-6 one night, and I woke about 3 times just to make sure you were still doing okay. Most nights, you'll go about 3-4 hours, then another 2-3, then you're up every 45 minutes to an hour until I get you out of bed. I don't mind it, though, love.

Your favorite toy BY FAR is your swing. Sometimes I feel bad about letting you swing so much, but it's what you want. There are times when you've had enough talking and playing, and you just want your "me time." It's during those times that you'll fuss until I put you in your swing. Then you're happy as a clam- especially if I have your mobile on and some music playing in the background. You'll stay awake and content for a surprising amount of time that way.

You're still my hungry little hippo. Meal time makes us both happy, because it gives me a chance to snuggle you and hold your little hands. You also took your first bottle of pumped milk this month, and you took it like a champ. You've now taken several bottles, and I'm so glad that you seem to have no problem going from me to a bottle and back again. You just want your milk!

There are still days that your daddy and I will sit and stare at you, wondering aloud how we are lucky enough to be blessed with such a perfect little boy. We love you so much, and it's amazing the way that love seems to grow with every day. I love seeing the little person you are becoming, and I look forward to many more months and years with you.

All my heart,
Mommy

Guilty Excitement

2012-01-17T10:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday afternoon you could've found me lugging an increasingly heavy car seat into my favorite Mexican restaurant with my mama, stepping very carefully so as not to snap my high heels.

High heels, you ask? That's right. My mama drove into town to watch the babe while I went in to take an assessment for a new job. Abbott is 8 and a half weeks old now, and our maternity leave savings is running low, which means it's time for me to hit the streets in search of a new job.

Initially, I was really sad about it. With every week that passed, I felt a lump growing larger in my throat at the thought of leaving my sweet boy in someone else's care. That lump is still there. In fact, I get a little misty if I think about it too long. What if he has one of those days where he just wants to be held and rocked and loved on all day? No one can do that like his mom.

And to think that someone else will be getting all his little smiles and catching all of his new developments and milestones kills me. It KILLS me.

But yesterday, while I was all dolled-up and shaking the hands of potential new coworkers, I was a little excited. I'm excited to get out and do something new... something that utilizes both of my degrees. I found myself imagining the kind of work I might be doing, and I was looking forward to it. There's something exhilarating about beginning a new job and growing in my career.

Then I climbed into my car, and the guilt hit me in the gut like a sack of bricks. It was sudden and unexpected. For one, how could I leave my baby alone with a stranger all day? And worse, how could I be EXCITED about it?!

I'm a horrible, awful mother.

But am I?

It's so twisted. I love my baby, and I would love nothing more than to spend all of my days with him for the rest of my life. But I also want to provide a good life for him. And, selfishly, I want to get out and continue to move my career forward. I miss those feelings of success and accomplishment that come from the workplace.

So yeah, I'm a little excited to get back out there. I'm also brokenhearted. In short, I'm a mess.

But in this case, it's out of my hands. I have to go back to work. And when I think about it that way, I suppose it's better for me to be excited than to dread it. If I were unhappy and bitter about it, it wouldn't be good for anyone. And Abe certainly doesn't need a disgruntled mother.

I'll go back. I'll accept these feelings of excitement and guilt, because I think they're natural. I'll try to enjoy every moment that I get with my boy, and I'll try to find pride in the fact that I'm doing the best I can for him.

Sorry for the repeat picture, I just love it!

I only wish it was easier!

Smile Friday

2012-01-13T09:25:00.000-06:00

Several of this week's pictures were taken with my cell phone instead of my real camera. My apologies, future self!

We went on our first date together since Abe was born. My mother-in-law was happy to babysit.

We met up with the Mr.'s old college roommate and let him cook us some tasty Japanese food- chicken katsu.

Wine is always better when it's dressed as a reindeer.

Somebody found his thumb while we were running errands today!

Cute little cupcake and candy shop. I was not on my best behavior here...

A red onesie accidentally got in the wash with Abbott's lighter clothes and turned everything pink, so I let the load soak with some OxiClean in my bathtub overnight. The verdict is still out on whether or not it worked. I'm thinking not.

And that, friends, is another week in pictures!

Reasons why I love my husband, part 4

2012-01-12T09:41:00.000-06:00

Anytime my sister sees a clear glass ball, she picks it up and twirls it in her fingers, David Bowie style.

And yes, that sentence does make sense.

Did any of you watch The Labyrinth when you were younger? We LOVED that movie. I mean, how can you go wrong with David Bowie and a bunch of muppets? They were scary muppets, yes, but as long as my sister and I watched together, we remained brave enough to make it through that whole crazy maze with the young Jennifer Connelly.

So the other morning I was recovering from an especially rough night with my sweet, precious, innocent baby boy by laying in bed with a pillow over my head and crying out to my husband, "PLEASE JUST LET ME SLEEP!"

But I knew I had to get up. So did my husband. I heard him joking and playing with our son as he got him dressed, and before I knew it this song was blasting through our speakers:

Spandex abuse

I looked up to find my two favorite guys dance-magic-ing around the room, and my husband leaned down to tell our babe with the power, "See son, I told you this would make your mama happy!"

He was so right. How can you not laugh at your husband rocking out to some cheesy Bowie? Turns out the power of the babe was all I needed to get out of bed and face the day.

Just another reason why my husband and I are truly meant for each other. :)

Snippets

2012-01-11T09:36:00.000-06:00

Today looks like a good day to brief you on some of what's going through my mind:

- Weight Watchers is hard for me. I have a serious sweet tooth, and I feel like I need to satisfy that craving after every meal. And by "feel like I need to," I really mean I might curl into a ball and cry if I don't get my chocolate... Pathetic, I know. I did just discover Skinny Taste, however, so I'm hoping to try out lots of new recipes.

- My friend Diana took a couple of pictures of me and Abbott the other day. I think this might be the first real picture we have of me posing with the baby:

But this NEXT one is my new favorite. Hands down. Can't you tell he just thinks I'm the coolest person on earth? He might be onto something there...

Gosh I love that kid.

- The Mr. and I went to Hawaii a few years ago. While there, I fell in love with all the plumeria plants.

Well they sell (legal) plumeria cuttings at some of the souvenir shops for tourists to take home and attempt to grow. I bought one for myself and one for my sister in law. Hers is enormous now. I think she said it had three branches, and it blooms every year. This is mine.

To say I have a black thumb is an understatement. I left it on my back patio during the summer to get some sun. Then we had a drought and record high temperatures. Then things cooled off and we still had a drought. Then it froze. Then Christmas came and I remembered my plumeria was outside. Now it's shriveled and black. No branches. No flowers (I never did get any). No life left. Poor thing.

The good news is I found some on Amazon, and I think I'm going to try to talk my husband into buying me one for my birthday. I'm bound and determined to grow one of these things before I die!

- Finally, I want to welcome everyone coming over from Abbey's blog today! I put a few new items in my shop recently, and she was lovely enough to host a giveaway for me! Go check it out!

Baked Kale Chips- Recipe

2012-01-10T07:01:00.001-06:00

You guys- I recently figured out how to play an amazingly devious trick on myself. I can make myself eat leaves.

True story. And I LIKE them. A lot!

I've heard people talking about kale chips for months, but I could never bring myself to actually make and eat them until now. And whether or not you think you like leafy greens, and even if you think they look disgusting, and even if you never eat your vegetables... you need to try these. I bet you'll like them!

The ingredients:

1/2 T. Olive Oil
Kale
Seasoning of your choice (salt works just fine!)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Wash and dry your kale, and tear it into bite-size pieces. For me this involved washing each leaf as I tore it, and vigorously shaking the water off before I threw it all in a big bowl:

Drizzle just a half of a tablespoon of olive oil over the bowl of leaves, and stir until they are all lightly coated. Then lay them out flat on a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprinkle them with whatever seasoning tickles your fancy. We used Tony Chachere's for a little bit of a kick.

Pop 'em in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown. The leaves should all be light, crispy little chips- if they're still soft they need more time.

And that's it! Baked kale chips:

You guys, these things are light as air. They're so much fun to eat. And an added bonus: if you're doing the whole weight watchers thing like me, you can eat this entire bunch of kale chips for just 2 points. 2 points! But if you do, you might have a little bit of a tummy ache afterwards. I'm just guessing of course. I would never eat an entire bunch of kale chips in one sitting. Never.

They're super healthy, too. WebMD calls kale a "nutritional powerhouse." Can't beat that!

Let me know what your favorite seasonings are on these if you make them. I'm anxious to try different varieties. And if you're making them for the first time, come back here afterwards and let me know how delicious you thought they were so I can say I told you so! :)

January Sponsors

2012-01-09T01:28:00.000-06:00

Once again, I want to bring some attention to the great shops sponsoring my blog this month. These are both amazing girls with great talent, and I encourage you to see what they've got!

First is Kate, from Pinch of Zest:

{Shop} {Blog}

Once again, I've got to give it up to Kate and her adorable onesies. Abbott is a fan, too. Here he is sporting a Christmas onesie from her shop. Pretty darn cute, huh?

***

Then we have my bloggy friend, Jen, from Northeast Kingdom Photography:

{Shop} {Blog}

This girl has got more talent and skill in her little finger than I could ever dream of having. She also lives in one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. and captures the scenery perfectly. My husband would love to have one of her prints hanging in his man room, and I can't blame him!

Gorgeous.

I dare you to visit either one of these girls' shops and not find something you love. Tell them I sent you!

And if you have a shop or blog that you'd like to promote here, give me a shout at smilesteady@gmail.com. I love finding new talent and sharing it with my readers!

Have a wonderful week!

Smile Friday

2012-01-06T17:30:00.001-06:00

Remember that ~~resolution~~ GOAL I had to take more pictures documenting the every day? Well I've decided to incorporate it into my weekly Smile Friday posts, because this life is what makes me smile. And I'd love to take a picture every day of the year in true Project 365, or 366 rather (leap year!), fashion, but I'm going to be realistic and admit that it probably won't happen. I'm not going to be too hard on myself if that's the case, though.

These may be super boring to everyone except me, but that's okay. It makes me happy. This was our life this week:

We had some insane winds on New Year's Eve, and woke to find a couple of our fence panels blown over.

My baby's acne cleared, but his dry skin took over. Poor little guy.

Homemade mini pizzas, pre-baked

Headed to our first "Mommy and me" Weight Watchers meeting.

Baked kale chips- more on these later!

And visiting with my friend, Diana after an appointment today

And because I know some of you are also taking daily photos, I'll add the link-up feature back into my Smile Friday posts. Feel free to link up what made you smile this week, whether it be a week's worth of pictures Project 365 style, just one moment, or even just a funny story.

And have a fabulous weekend!

Creating Happiness

2012-01-05T22:19:00.000-06:00

The ladies at BlogHer recently asked how we plan to create happiness in 2012, and my answer is simple: I'm going to focus on 2012.

Last year was kind of a whirlwind for me. You see, I was pregnant for 75% of the year, which means I spent 75% of the year looking forward to what was to come rather than enjoying the moment I was in. And we certainly did have things to look forward to!

I found myself pre-washing tiny socks instead of taking frequent pictures of my belly. Painting the nursery walls instead of spending extra time enjoying our family of two. I was so focused on the future that I forgot to take in all that came with my pregnancy.

And now, as I'm holding my chubby little baby, I'm realizing that the now is so much more important than the later. It seems like my boy has outgrown another piece of clothing every day. Every day he becomes a little more independent... a little more of a man. If I don't relish the moment I'm in, when I'm in it, it'll be gone just like his too-small clothes.

So my goal for the year is to appreciate the small stuff along with the big things. To focus on whatever is happening today. To notice the sights, smells, and feelings that surround me right now.

And I'm certain that when I'm giggling with my boy or inhaling the scent of my husband during a hug, I will be so much happier than I would be if I were worrying about next month's bills, or where we'll send our kids to school in a few years. That's why I want 2012 to be about 2012. The rest will just have to fall into place.

Dr. Aymee Coget had similar advice on her Life Well Lived post, but I'm curious to hear YOUR thoughts on the matter. How do YOU plan to create happiness this year? Let us know here.

And you may as well enter to win a Kindle Fire while you're at it, because new toys are always a step in the happy direction! :)

Once again, cheers to a wonderful 2012!

Reasons why I love my husband, parts 2 and 3

2012-01-04T15:18:00.000-06:00

If you've ever doubted that my husband and I are perfect for each other, here's a glimpse into our dorky bliss.

During dinner the other night:

Me (in a very serious tone): Cauliflower is greater than broccoli.

Husband: False. The probability of that statement being true is zero.

***

Also? This.

He helped me make him and even donated his own crooked smile to the cause.

I can only take so much... <3

We're Old

2012-01-03T15:20:00.000-06:00

Our New Year's Eve consisted of dressing up in t-shirts and rockin' new-mom bags under my eyes, sitting around our table with some friends and our kids, and eating home-grilled burgers and kale chips (don't knock 'em til you try 'em- they are TASTY). Oh, and there were some board games and a polar bear hat, too. We lead thrilling lives.

BUT, the good thing about having a crafty video-editing husband is that even our boring celebrations can look pretty (excluding the whole smeared make-up, pony-tailed, sleep deprived girl in the black)!

Our New Year's Eve:

Didn't he do a fabulous job? Now if only I can talk him into getting in front of the camera at some point next time...

The New Year

2012-01-01T23:56:00.000-06:00

My husband doesn't do new year's resolutions. He thinks they're silly. I can remember preparing for the new year when we first started dating... I guess that would've been 2004. I was SO excited to sit down together and write out our resolutions. I imagined us pulling them out 12 months later and evaluating how well we did, laughing together because we still haven't picked up running and trying again for 2005.

Well we have still never shared resolutions. And by WE, I mean HE. I'm actually a big fan of them. It's a fresh start, like a new school year. It's your chance to do better. But because my husband teases me about making them, and because the word "resolution" has kind of a bad connotation these days, I'm calling them goals. And I do have some goals for 2012.

- I'd like to do a better job of documenting everything. My ultimate goal is to take at least one picture every day, even if it's just a quick shot on my cell phone. With Abbott changing and growing so quickly, I want to make sure I don't forget a thing.

- I want to pick up reading again. I love to read, but I totally fell off the book wagon when I enrolled in grad school. Now that textbooks are out of my life, I want to get back into it. My goal is to read at least 2 books a month in 2012- one for fun and one that will teach me something or make me think, whether it be spiritual, marital, concerning our finances, or improving my health. I think it's important to challenge myself.

- On a similar note, I want to improve my relationship with God. I'm thinking about getting a new self-study or daily devotional to help me stay excited and motivated to carve out a little time each day for the Word. Let me know if you recommend any great ones! Having a baby makes me realize how much I need to improve in this area. I want to set a good example for him.

- Speaking of setting a good example, I really want to cut out the garbage that we eat (and we eat a LOT of garbage). I'm not saying I plan to completely avoid Chick-fil-A and their waffle fries (oh those glorious, golden waffle fries...), but I do want to think more about what we're consuming and whether it is actually going to benefit us.

- Which brings me to my final goal: the resolution of all resolutions... I want to lose weight. I'm about 7 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight, but I think I'm about 17 away from my pre-wedding weight. That's where I want to be again. And now that I've passed the standard 6 week mark, I'm allowed to start working out again and attempting to get my body back.

Once again, I have big hopes for the new year. I feel fresh and renewed and ready to make things happen. Let's see how it goes... cheers to the new year!

2011 was a good one

2011-12-30T08:50:00.000-06:00

If there has ever been a life-changing year for me, this was it. My world has been completely turned upside down in the most spectacular way imaginable. And boy did I have some fun times along the way!

And I could go through and recap the entire year, reviewing how I changed my mind about earning my PhD right now because I thought I might want to go ahead and start a family (talk about some foreshadowing!), or some lighter things like me and Mac playing in the snow, or the birth of my first nephew. Then there was my own big announcement and the story of how we found out. I could reflect on graduating with my MBA or my 4th wedding anniversary. We could talk about my baby showers, the ups and downs of pregnancy, or the birth of my beautiful boy.

But that's a lot of ground to cover, so I'll leave you with something more visual instead. I present to you, in completely random order, the year 2011 in pictures:

2012 has a lot to live up to.

I know this is the season for yearly reviews, and I would love to see yours, if you made one! Leave me a link in the comments so I can come check it out.

And I want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous new year! See you on the flip side!

I live for this

2011-12-29T10:04:00.000-06:00

Last Wednesday, during our normal morning chit chat, Abbott gave me his first (awake) smile. My eyes immediately welled up with tears and I excitedly called my husband to share the news.

You see, he's been smiling in his sleep for weeks. Sometimes he'll even chuckle to himself. It's hilarious, because what in the world could a baby dream about that makes him so happy? My guess is something soft and warm that provides both a full meal and a pillow to sleep on. He's just like his daddy. ;)

A few days went by with nothing else. Then, on Christmas day, I had him up on my shoulder to burp, and I leaned over and kissed his squishy chipmunk cheek. He responded with another smile. I giggled with glee and did it again. He flashed me another gummy grin. I'll be darned if I didn't get 4 smiles in a row that afternoon. Best Christmas gift ever!

I've gotten a few more here and there since then, but yesterday morning he was handing them out like candy. I even managed to snap a shot of one.

Is that not the most precious thing you've ever seen? Gosh I'm in love.

And on a funnier note, I'd like to document his hair changes of the last couple of weeks. We first noticed that it appeared to be getting longer, especially in the back. Then we noticed the top of his head was looking a little bare in comparison. Turns out, the hair on top is all falling out, while the horseshoe ring around the bottom of his head is growing and growing. He's like a baby George Costanza!

What a lady killer.

Post-Holidays

2011-12-28T12:37:00.000-06:00

The week after Christmas always feels like an in-between time to me... like I'm just coasting until the new year. It reminds me of those days in college when your finals are all finished but grades haven't been released yet. I'm done, but the year isn't quite finished yet.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We:

- got to see lots of family, and Abbott got to meet another great-grandma

My feisty German grandma

- I ate my weight in lebkuchen (German gingerbread cookies). These are quite possibly my favorite food in the world.

- We got lots of fun new toys... way too many, in fact. But we're not complaining!

- I did not, however, get any Pajama Jeans. Not sure if I'm happy or sad about this. Maternity-like jeans for non-preggos sound somewhat appealing...

-We still haven't seen any snow

- But we did spend a large amount of time on Christmas day watching funny YouTube videos with my in-laws.

Now that Christmas is over, I find myself thinking about the new year and how I want things to be. I'm sure I'll give you the requisite New Year's Resolutions post later in the week, but for now I'm still coasting. This is my last week to eat poorly and be lazy before my self-imposed resolutions start keeping me accountable for 2012.

Besides, I have new toys to play with. It's just too bad I already ate all the lebkuchen!

Smile Friday: Santa

2011-12-23T08:50:00.000-06:00

Being his first Christmas and all, we knew we had to take Abbott to see Santa this year. He's only been with us for a month, but he has been an awfully good boy during that month!

I think Santa knew it, too. And though he was sound asleep and can't speak yet anyway, I bet Santa knows just what Abe wants this year.

And because I think everyone in real life should have received it by now, here is our Christmas card for this year. I cheated and doubled it as a birth announcement. Really though, with a face like that, no one wants to see me or the Mr. anyway!

So if you didn't get one, just imagine you pulled this out of your mailbox this morning (and that our last name hadn't been deleted)!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Reasons why I love my husband

2011-12-22T07:00:00.002-06:00

You know you've married the right person when your inside jokes become a part of your every day vernacular, and the two of you have actually developed somewhat of your own language. I swear if we ever had a Newlyweds-esque reality show people would think we were ridiculous. Example:

A couple of years ago we stumbled across this YouTube video of a family that found maggoty worm-like things in their Mr. Goodbars.

Around the 45 second mark, you'll hear the woman say, "They was... they was... GAH... they was BUGS!" and for some reason, it stuck with us.

So today I called my husband as I was baking some cookies.

Me: I have a hypothetical question... Let's say someone was baking some cookies for the Christmas party tonight and there were a couple of tiny black bugs at the top of the flour bag. It expired last month. Would it be okay if that person scooped the bugs out and used the flour anyway, orrrrr..."

The Mr.: Hmmm... they was bugs.

That's all he had to say. Point taken.

(And don't worry... I used a new, unopened bag of flour, instead. No bugs!)

Christmas #1

2011-12-21T06:59:00.001-06:00

Saturday marked Abe's first long car ride (2 hours one way) and his first Christmas celebration.

We drove out to the Mr.'s grandparents' house (Abbott's GREAT-grandparents) to celebrate the holidays a little early. Overall, he did wonderfully! It definitely helps that the car always puts him to sleep.

We got to graze on holidays snacks all day, visit with family, and open presents for the bebe. He wanted to open his own, but we reminded him that he's only a month old and probably needed help, so he nursed and went back to sleep instead. Silly baby. :)

Hanging with Uncle Austin

Lounging with Aunt Danna

Silly (Great) Grandpa

Getting sleepy with Nana

Me and Nana (my mother-in-law)

We had a really good time with everyone, and it made us SUPER excited about Christmases to come. I can just picture Abbott running around getting into things with his big cousin, Xander, here in a few years. I can't help but smile knowing the mischief his daddy and uncle got into growing up!

Xander and Aunt Kristen

One Christmas down, two to go. I think it's safe to say Abbott's going to make out like a bandit this year!

Freezer Meals

2011-12-20T09:33:00.000-06:00

One of the best gifts I received after delivering Abbott was the gift of food.

Our small group from church volunteered to make and bring us meals 3 nights a week so that I wouldn't have to worry about cooking, and it just ended last week. That means every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night, the Mr. and I would anxiously await a surprise meal from some of our good friends. We were never disappointed- our small group knows how to cook!

I was prepared, though, too. During the last month of my pregnancy, I began cooking double batches of many of our meals. We would eat half, and put the other half in disposable foil pans or Ziploc bags to be frozen and prepared later. I cannot recommend this enough!!!

Because of those frozen meals, I still have not had to get it together enough to cook a full meal. Each morning, I look in the freezer, pick out whatever sounds good, and lay it out to thaw until dinnertime, when I can simply pop the pan in the oven. It has been wonderful. Here is a picture of most of my stash, before we'd eaten many of the meals:

Sadly, though, our freezer stash has also now dwindled. We are one chicken pot pie away from me having to step it up in the kitchen again. This terrifies me.

I'm not afraid of cooking (although it has never been my strong suit). I'm not even afraid of handling the baby while I cook. What really scares me is having to go to the grocery store.

The Mr. has been wonderful about picking up little things here and there, but we haven't had to complete a real, full grocery shopping trip since Abbott was born. And the idea of walking aisle after aisle through a crowded store with a baby in tow worries me. What if he wakes up and starts crying? What if he gets hungry? I can't exactly leave my buggy full of groceries abandoned in the store while I run off to feed my baby. And I can't complete the whole trip with him screaming. How do people with babies do this sort of thing all alone?

I guess what I'm saying is yes, the freezer meals and small group meals have been wonderful, but now I'm in need of a personal shopper. A personal grocery shopper. Anyone up for the challenge?

1 Month

2011-12-19T11:18:00.000-06:00

Abbott,

My sweet Abbott, Abe, Abey-baby, Turkey, Turducken, I can't believe you are a month old already! It feels like we just brought you home from the hospital last week, yet here you are, my one month old baby.

These past four weeks have been such a fun, rewarding experience. You truly are the center of our world and the boss of our house these days. There is not a moment that goes by that you're not on our minds (and usually in our arms)!

Although we're still getting to know each other, life as a family of three is feeling more natural everyday. You are such a cuddle. You love to be held, which has made for some long nights when you just didn't want to sleep anywhere but with us. We don't mind, though. We would hold and love on you all day if we could.

We aren't the only ones. You've made so many new friends in your short time here already. You are so loved, baby boy. People just can't get enough of you. Your daddy and I can hardly keep up with you when we visit family or spend time with our church family because everyone wants their time to snuggle up with you.

And not a single person can look at you without commenting on how handsome you are. I'm afraid I have to agree. You look just like the baby pictures of your daddy, so I know that you are going to be a handsome boy all your life.

You're so strong, too! You lifted your little head up to look at me on day one, and you get better everyday. You're not a big fan of being held like a newborn. You want to be up on our shoulders or held out in front of us where you can look around. And when you look around, you'll always find the lights. They fascinate you. Especially the Christmas tree- you just love it.

You also have very strong arms and legs. I knew you'd be an active little boy because you moved non-stop during my pregnancy, and you've proven me correct. Those little legs of yours are so strong that you can already roll over from your belly to your back. You started this around two and half weeks of age, and you've done it many times since then. I think you will be quite the athlete one day, if that's what you want.

You're a champion eater, as well. I can't get over how quickly you're growing, son. Based on your eating habits, I think you've had two growth spurts- both within the last two weeks. You were already above your birth weight by your two week check-up, and I'm certain you've put on even more since then. You no longer fit into your newborn clothes, and we've officially moved you into your cloth diapers now.

Your Nana seems to think you're going to be an early talker (and being a speech therapist, I guess she would know). You hum and coo and squeak and make little baby grunts all the time. You are very vocal, both when you're awake and when you're asleep. We love it.

And sometimes we just can't look away when you sleep. You have a habit of falling asleep with your eyes open. You look awake, but then your little eyes will roll right back into your head and your tiny lashes will flutter. We call them "crazy eyes." It might look a little scary if you weren't so stinking cute! You also smile in your sleep, and sometimes I swear I can hear you laughing, too. I can't wait for the day you intentionally smile at me. My heart will truly melt.

You love your swing right now. You will just sit and swing while I clean the house and talk or sing to you. And lucky me, you don't know how bad of singer I am just yet! You also love car rides. You will fall asleep in your car seat every time we're in the car, without fail. Unfortunately, you're not such a huge fan of sleeping in the pack 'n play beside our bed, but we're getting there with the help of your sleep giraffe.

You like baths, but you hate to get your diaper changed. You don't mind being undressed as long as you're warm, but you don't like to have clothes put on. I think you kind of like tummy time, too.

You took a pacifier for the first time about two weeks ago. You don't love it, but you don't hate it, either. I guess you just have to be in the mood for it. Did I mention you are very strong-willed? They say you get that from me. Sorry, buddy.

Abe, I could write about you all day long. You are my world, little man. Your daddy and I are still in awe over you, and we can't figure out how we were lucky enough to get to bring you home. You are so loved, baby. Don't you ever forget that.

All my heart,
Mommy

Smile Friday: Christmas Tour

2011-12-16T16:53:00.000-06:00

I always love to peek in other people's houses and see what life is like for them. I know that sounds borderline creepy, but it's kind of like when you're driving down the street at night and you see someone's blinds open with the lights on. You KNOW you're gonna look inside, especially if there's a big bright Christmas tree in the window.

Let's pretend that's what this post is... a chance for you to look inside my window at my Christmas tree. :)

There are several different Christmas Tour link-ups going on around the web today, so I figured I'd play along and show you guys my decorations this year. Be forewarned: there aren't many and they aren't much to look at. It's hard to be Martha (Stewart OR Mary's sister) at this time of year with a newborn to stare at and kiss and cuddle.

But I have a tree and some garland. I also have red velvety bows, and let me tell you, my mom used to go nuts with some red velvet ribbon and bows. She used to wrap the stuff around the white columns on our porch to look like candy canes, and she'd stream it across the arch between our living room and dining room. Then she'd use little red bows to decorate the tree, with a giant red bow and ribbons streaming down as the topper. LOTS of red velvet.

I only have two little bows that I use to make our entryway mirror a touch more festive.

I like to keep things simple (and inexpensive). My mantle is just decorated with some garland and cinnamon sticks in a hurricane glass, with a few candles off to the side. And our stockings are pretty, but temporary. I'd love to get matching personalized stockings, but I want to wait until our family is complete for that.

Then there's the tree. I used to go for a nice sparkly gold and burgundy look on my tree, and while that still makes up the base of it, we've been adding more and more personal and/or meaningful ornaments each year.

Now it's a mix of traditional and quirky.

My favorite part though is probably the star at the top. It's so classic- just like the trees I always drew growing up (and still doodle on scrap paper while I talk on the phone...).

There are just a few touches of Christmas elsewhere in my house... a dish towel in the kitchen, some bowls on our bookshelf...

And a pillow on our couch.

I made a wreath a few years ago that I've used ever since, but it's looking pretty beat up this year, and I haven't gotten around to making another yet.

I love Christmastime, and I love the decorations, but we are definitely still working on our collection of Christmas decor. I want my home to feel warm and inviting during this time of year, and I hope that it will continue to move that direction as our little family grows.

Until then, I'll just work with what I've got! I'm linking up with The Nester, Kelly, and Erin today. Let me know if you've got your blinds open, because I want to see your Christmas decorations, too! ;)