Salutations, Shrimp, and what should I make for lunch today?

Salutations! (Name that children's book...) 

We're back in action after a very busy few days.

It all started with a rip-roaring good time at Book Club Thursday evening, where there was great food a-plenty and great friends that had me laughing so hard I cried.  The verdict is in: I love Book Club.  Also, if you haven't read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I highly recommend you find yourself a copy, some chocolate, and a cozy couch and start reading STAT.  An Oreo Blizzard wouldn't hurt the overall experience either.

 I don't know how I didn't snap a few pictures of my fellow bookies- I must have been too busy laughing. =)

Friday morning we woke up to attend Newbie's very last swimming lesson.  I was so happy to be putting on our swimsuits at 8:30 in the morning for the last time while there is snow on the ground.  Newbie adores swimming lessons, and he had a blast.  He's the only kid in the class who literally screams with joy and excitement throughout the entire thirty minutes of the lesson.  It's so fun to watch him.  We had G-Mama and Grandad come as our film crew so we could finally have a few pictures of Newbie's new favorite past time.  Tomorrow we start a Music Exploration class in lieu of swimming lessons as long as enough littles have signed up.  If there aren't enough kids enrolled, we might have to sign up for swimming lessons again....Lord, please, please let there be enough kids enrolled in Music Exploration.  Amen.

After lessons, Newbie swam around for a while showing off all his skills...

 

Newbie graduated from the "Shrimp" class with flying colors, and the next time we sign up for classes (hopefully next year and not next week!), he'll be in the...wait for it...."Polly Wog" or perhaps even the "Guppy" class. That's my boy! 

After swim lessons, I went home to pack my bags for an overnight women's retreat.  I met up with a few girlfriends, and we hit up Macaroni Grill before heading to the retreat where we stayed in a nice hotel and met with Jesus for some encouragement and a refreshing dose of the Holy Spirit.  It was like drinking a glass of ice cold pink lemonade with a cute straw on a hot summer day....or like getting some time away in the midst of diapers and laundry and bills to be reminded that God is good all the time and that He loves us no matter how many pairs of dirty socks didn't get washed this week or how many dinners we burned or how many times we've failed at being the women- wives, mothers, daughters, friends- that we want to be.  I was reminded that as followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to carry the reputation of Christ, and sometimes in the midst of that challenge, a girl just needs to hear that she is LOVED. No matter what.  Accepted. No matter what.  Adored. No matter what.  And all by the God who sees all the icky stuff hidden under the rugs and in the deepest corners of our hearts.  We are Loved.  I walked away challenged and refreshed and encouraged, and it was good.

Number one on my priority list following the retreat: Carve out time to spend quiet time with God each day- no matter what.  It's one of those things that I kick myself for not doing more often, and I'm tired of kicking.  So we're going to just do it. I think God made morning naps specifically so Mama could get in some quiet time with Him and be filled with love and encouragement before hitting the dishes and the laundry and the bills and the diapers and all the other stuff.  I'm just sayin'. =)

In other news, Newbie officially started saying "Da-Da" last week!  Woohoo!  He now is fully capable of calling for BOTH of his parents at the top of his lungs at 4 o'clock in the morning....and there was great rejoicing.  It was a lot easier for the Hubs to lie in bed when Newbie was calling for Mamamamamama-MA to change his diaper, but now Daddy-O is on the team and has been officially called off the bench by the MVP himself.  He's always been so helpful with Newbie, but now he's really in the game since Newbie calls specifically for him...and he is loving it!  It is so fun to hear Newbie call us by name.  As far as the next words I think we'll hear coming from him, it is a toss up between "Opie" and "Ba-ba" because they are both at the top of his "things I REALLY love" list.  So we'll have to wait and see...

Now for some house-keeping: In the past week Newbie has just gotten busier and busier, and my guess is he won't be slowing down anytime soon!  To keep up with my little man I'm going to have to cut back a little bit on the blog posts.  It's hard to spend a chunk of time posting and keep Newbie out of the DVD's and dog bowl at the same time. Ha!  I'm still hoping to post about every other day, I just didn't want you worrying about us if you don't hear from us as often has usual. =) 

Last but not least....I can't remember if I posted about my V is for VICTORY over Boris last week, but THAT HAPPENED.  And it was awesome.  Except then I got busy with Book Club and swimming lessons, and the women's retreat, and I haven't done an ounce of laundry since the defeat.  And the beat goes on.  So that's where I'm headed- to stop Boris off at the pass before he begins another powerful siege of my bedroom and my sanity.

Hope you all have a wonderful week and know that you are LOVED!

Just this moment

After nursing for 10 months, I've started to wean Newbie, and the process is so bittersweet.

(Disclaimer: If that last sentence was too much information for ya, you might want to pack your bags now, because this entire post is full to the brim with female sentiment.  =])

Part of the weaning process is exciting because it means my little guy is just getting bigger and bigger each day, and I have so much fun watching him grow.  But part of the process means he is moving forward and not so much a baby anymore. *tear*

I wanted to take a moment to reflect and take a deep breath before stepping into the next chapter of raising a not-so-teensy baby boy.  Newbie is growing up so fast in so many ways, and I wanted to freeze life for a moment, just the way it is, before we move forward so I can look back and remember what life was like before sippy cups and all manner of big boy things took over.

If I were to freeze life for just this moment, this is what I'd find:

Toys crammed into each nook and cranny of our family room

A rocking chair faithfully welcoming some cuddle or story time

A stash of diapers in at least three different places throughout the house

A baby monitor hiding out in a corner of whatever room is occupied at nap time

A basket full of board books anxious to be explored and spread across the room

A tiny coat and hat for bundling before we walk out the door

A smattering of bottles and bitty spoons and bowls in a sink brimming with everyday dishes

Always a bib sitting out on the counter waiting for breakfast...or lunch...or dinner

A stray binky and sippy cup on my nightstand, and our video monitor resting up for the long night ahead

A stocked diaper bag ready to scurry out the door

A tub all set for bedtime bubble baths

Favorite books wandering the floors beneath curious and tiny little fingers

Rubber ducky and blankie lying in the nursery: two can't-do-without friends when bedtime rolls around

...and some Infant Ibuprofen on stand-by for those long nights of teething.  Just keepin' it real. =)

Some of these things will stay the same for a while, and some of these things will change and be gone in the blink of an eye, but one thing's for sure: while I look through the snapshots of life as we know it, Newbie is screeching and bouncing in his seat because growing up to be a big boy is such fun, and sippy cups are just the cat's meow.  I don't want to miss another minute! I'm off to celebrate with my little man and toast to his latest step in getting SO BIG!

Cheers!

A little yogurt, a little rugby, a little blood...you know, the usual.

Turns out my son is an early bird, so we got up this morning and got the worm.  Daddy-O left to play rugby at the gym at 5:45 this morning, and we followed not far behind to surprise him with a cheering section consisting of Newbie, Mama, and a YoBaby yogurt cup.

I'd like to think it was our sideline enthusiasm that won him the game.

After rugby, Newbie slipped in a quick snoozer while I basked in the glory of my official victory over Boris.  I can't say there isn't a basket full of pj's from last night waiting for me upstairs, but I can say my laundry was officially completed by midnight last night, and it feels so good.

We hopped in the car after Newbie's nap for play group with our cronies.  Newbie always has a blast with the big kiddos, but was bound and determined to make sure I didn't sit still for more than 30 seconds the entire time.  He spent his morning in the wake of his buddies, charging after bits and pieces of Goldfish crackers that he isn't suppose to be eating.  I have opted to skip the gym today because I am sure I burned more calories in Miss L's living room this morning than I ever could in 30 minutes on the treadmill.

I am also here to report Newbie obtained the first official play group injury, complete with blood and tears and drama, though I still can't figure out exactly what was bleeding.  He was playing with a toy in my lap when both he and the toy slipped, and next thing you know, he's bawling like his mama at the end of Armageddon, and the corner of his mouth is bleeding.  At first I thought he was just scared, but then I realized the red around his lip wasn't exactly a Puffs mustache, and that's when the mom-guilt kicked in, and I promised to buy him another dog and a rocket ship because I didn't notice how bad his injuries were right away.  He cheered up after a little cuddle time, and wasn't any worse for wear, so I snapped a pic for the baby book because what little boy doesn't want to show off his first official bum lip at his high school graduation party?

That is a break your heart into a million pieces picture, right there.  What a tough little guy.

I remember my first bum lip.  I was in third grade, and we were warming up on the field before a softball game.  I was a hardcore softball player back then.  At least as hardcore as you can be when you're 9.  I'm not saying I didn't look forward to the free Dr. Pepper at the end of the game and the snacks passed out to the team after a job well done, but I am saying that snacks and delicious refreshments aside,  I was one enthusiastic short stop with a love for the grit of the game.  So there we were, warming up. A teammate and I were playing catch along the third and home baseline when WHAMMY! BOOM! POW!  She chucked that ball before I was ready and that sucker hit my face and sent my lip straight through one of my front teeth.  I was bleeding like something out of Jaws, and my lip puffed up to the size of a blueberry- probably looked like one too- but being the Texan I was, even at the ripe 'ol age of 9, I got a hug and some ice from Mama in the dugout and then went right back to the field for the best game of my career.  OK.  Not really sure if it was my best game of the year, but I do remember looking at my daddy who was my coach, and knowing that I had to be tough and get back out there to play some ball.  And I did.  Just like Newbie got back out there and chased after some more Goldfish.  That's my boy!

Switching gears....

Yesterday I spent nap time here:

and it was heavenly.  (Don't you love the play-by-play?  Because I'm sure we don't have anything better to do than look at pictures of where I read. Someday I will get better at the need-to-know info filter, but for now, it's all hittin' the blog, baby.) I finished my book and can't wait to talk about it tomorrow night because LOVE.

The Hubs was a rock star last night and took care of Newbie for a while so I could wrap up some things on the to-do list before bed.  He snapped a few fun pictures of our little man:

 

Newbie is big into blowing raspberries on the side of his crib.  It's his new thing.

His other new thing is partnering in crime with Opie.  They are two birds of a feather lately, and they are all about sharing toys and making jail breaks together.  Cracks. me. up.

Well, as much as I'd love to spend the afternoon ticking away at the keyboard, there is a pile of dishes haunting me from the kitchen.  If it ain't one thing, it's another around here.  I'm just glad Boris was silenced for a good 8 hours last night.

Hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday!

Regis, I'd like to poll the audience.

Friends, do you think that if I put all of Newbie's teethers in the steam bag in the microwave and melted all but two of them to smithereens that the said survivors are now radioactive teethers?

The Hubs and I are debating the odds.

And Newbie is freaking out about his two front teeth that are desperately trying to break through.  So I'm kind of on a code-red teether recruit right now. But I don't want him growing tails instead of teeth in his mouth because his idiot mother gave him a radioactive teether that she blasted to death in the microwave.

What do you think?

Also, it's probably about time to alert the Press.  Status update: It is nap time, and I am three loads away from a VICTORY over Boris and his very bad attitude.

It is also important to note that all the jeans and jammies I thought I didn't have were actually just hiding out in the bottom of my laundry basket for an unknown number of months.  I have also come to the conclusion that it is high time for a full assault on the closet.  We need to engage in an all-out-purge of clothes that have been living with us for far too long.  Sianara, koala bear T-shirt.  My 19 year old self would be sorry to see you go, but the 25 year old in me sees one more slot to place a far more snuggly velour suit.

Friends, I hope you are conquering your own Boris today.  Whether it is a mutant mountain of laundry from months ago or a grand pile of Oreos, I hope you take. that. thing. DOWN.

I really want some Oreos.

Boris, Book Club, and Baby Boy

Between Boris and Book Club and my baby boy, I haven't had time to squeeze in more posts or take more pictures.  Eep!  I'm hosting Book Club Thursday night, and I am seriously cramming to get this darling book finished.  It feels a lot like trying to finish a book before class in college, minus the darling...because I don't remember reading many books I coined "darling" in Brit Lit 101.  But this book is darling, and I've got my nose stuck in it any chance I get.

I wanted to hop on today to post a couple pictures I snapped last week when we were in the thick of "Fake Spring," and savoring the sunshine and warmer temps.  I love that the sunshine is just exploding from these pictures.  You can barely see us because I am such a horrible photographer the sun is so glorious. Today it is 15 degrees outside, but the sun is shining, and between the sunshine leaking in through the drapes and these photos, I can almost taste Spring just around the corner, and it tastes good.

Non-related, but worth noting: Boris is taking a seriously vital blow today...I daresay he just might kick the bucket by this afternoon!  If that dream becomes a reality, it will be the first time all my laundry has been done and put away since this time last year.  I am not kidding.  It's a big day, folks.  A BIG day.

Hope you all have a BIG day of your own! =)

The Skies

This afternoon we were bored with to-do lists and our four walls, so we followed a whim and decided to drive out to Lake Michigan.  I had never been to Lake Michigan in the winter, so I was looking forward to a fun family adventure. We bundled up from head to toe and loaded Newbie and Opie up in to the car. You got that right: the entire circus came along for the ride. We are nothing if not ambitious when weekending. Can you find Newbie and Opie in the picture?

As we piled out of the car donned in various assortments of our winter garb, a friendly beach-goer took our photograph.  I like friendly beach-goers, but the look on Newbie's face suggests he wasn't the biggest fan. =) 

What happened next, I will remember forever: 

As we turned to face the beach, the view was absolutely breath-taking.  Waves waltzing to shore were frozen in place.  Sand danced a tango with beautiful, sparkling ice and snow beneath our feet.   And the sky, the sky stretched for miles in the most brilliant blue across the greatest expanse of frozen water I've ever seen.  

Right there, smack dab in the middle of a February Saturday, we experienced a depth and beauty of Creation that I didn't even know existed.

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

We spent the afternoon reveling in the work of His hands...

It was such an incredible afternoon.  Newbie was a popsicle by the time we made our way back to the car, but he loved every minute of it.  He was laughing at Opie, and his head was turning from side to side the entire time, just taking in the glorious view. If you live nearby and haven't made it out to the lake this winter, it is well worth the trip!  Just bundle up....that sunshine doesn't feel the same in February as it does in June. =)

Wishing you a happy Sunday, Friends!

Trooouble

If mischief had a name, it would be Newbie.

We call him our little billy goat, because he is a Climber with a capital "C".  This boy climbs people, and sofas, and pillows, and books, and toys, and baby gates, and stairs.  Calling him our little billy goat also works because he's really great at putting any and everything into his mouth.  You know, like Gregory the Goat.

The trouble is, he looks so cute getting into all that mischief that its hard not to smile and chuckle at how far his curiosity and energy take him.

*Sigh*

Just look at that little diapered hiney and those chubby little cankles!   

You can try climbing those stairs as much as you want, you roly poly sweet pea!

Boys will be boys.

Which explains why Newbie spent the better part of our grocery trip today happily screeching at the top of his lungs, and why the Hubs is in the basement playing with an assortment of drills and saws and wood while Newbie naps this morning.  They are ALL boy.

And I love 'em.

Wishing you all a scream with joy at the top of your lungs through the grocery store kind of Saturday!

Fake Spring? I'll take it.

Y'all.  I went to the gym yesterday.  And I only have two things to say about it.

1) Everything hurts.  Everything.

2) The jogger stroller is dead to me. 

I had to go to the gym because otherwise I knew I'd be feeling all "I wish I worked out more" while I sat in the chair getting my hair did last night. Something about a springy hairdo always makes me wish I was super woman, with a house full of clean laundry, a pantry full of homemade jam, and a week full of baby swimming lessons and productive trips to the gym.  So it happened, and I lived to tell about it, but barely. =) Because like I said,

1) Everything hurts.  Everything.

2) The jogger stroller is dead to me.

Speaking of "springy"... it is suppose to be a balmy 52 degrees here today.  52!  Remember last week when I said I would do anything to smell wet mud and soggy grass and see some pavement?  Well, guess what I'm staring at out the window right now?!  Wet mud and soggy grass and pavement!  Hooray!  I love Spring.  I know this is a fake Spring, and that I will have to face snow showers on Sunday and freezing rain later in the week, but BOY HOWDY, I am going to slurp up every last drop of fake Spring this week because it's a little reminder, a glimmer of hope that greater things await us just around the corner.

In fact, the Hubs announced today that he plans on getting a season pass for Newbie and I and a guest (eep!) to hit up the local garden park any time we want to this Spring and Summer.  Wahoo!  I couldn't be more excited.  I am dreaming of long walks through the gardens, splashes in the sprinklers at the Children's Gardens, and picnics by the waterfalls and feeding the fish with the crust of our PB and J and our Cheetos.  Mmm....delicious.  I love Spring.

I also love my boys.  The Hubs pulled out his guitar yesterday, and Newbie was loving it.  He squeals and laughs when Grandad plays, and he was delighted to find that Daddy-O has a guitar too!

 He helped crank out a couple tunes, mimicking the Hubs as he strummed at the strings. My little guy wants to be just like his daddy, and I love watching his admiration for the Hubs.  Even as tiny as he is, he watches his Daddy-O's every move.  It is so fun to see him gush over his daddy.

Well, I'm sorry to say that laundry is the name of the game today because, quite frankly, if something doesn't change fast, I'm going to have to wear pajama pants for the rest of the week.  Not that I would mind, but they have these rules about not wearing street clothes at the pool, and since we've got swimming lessons tomorrow morning, I'm afraid I'll have to knock out a few loads today.

Wishing you all a fantastic Thursday with Spring-like temperatures and the hope of warmer days to come!