..a little update..

Time to write, but nothing to say.

Lots to say, but no time to write.

Seems to be the story of my life lately.  Deep thoughts escape me when I actually get the chance to sit down and type.  So here goes the superficial what's-been-goin'-on lowdown.

This little boy...

...yes, him.  He's pretty much the best ever.  We're quite smitten.  And we're definitely the 'our kid is the cutest, smartest, best kid ever' type of parents.  Lately he's been walking so fast he's almost running.  Especially when Daddy is chasing him!  He loves to play with toys, as well as anything that isn't a toy.  Trucks and balls are his favorite, and book reading has become a favorite as of late also.

Before bed JJ has a new routine, now that bottles are a thing of the past.  (He was still getting a nighttime bottle until just a little while ago...Mommy couldn't give it up:)  He gets a snack and drink, then brushes his teeth.  If it's a bath night, he gets a tubby.  Then into his pj's he goes.  We read a book together (always the same book) then he goes to bed.  Still has his binky at bedtime (and naptime) but I'm ok with that.  I'm thinking maybe at 18 months we'll try to give it up.  Or maybe not.

He's a picky, picky eater!!!  Very frustrating for me.  I try to do what I know I should (give him what we're eating, and don't make something special for him) but the kid doesn't like anything.  No chicken, no beef, no soup, very limited vegetables.  What he does like?  Nutri-Grain bars, yogurt, crackers, bread, most fruit...but anything can change at any given moment.  Hit or miss things are broccoli, cucumber, cheese, tomato...and a variety of other things.

This summer has been fun with lots of swimming at Grammy & Grampy's, playing with cousins, learning to swing a bat, playing in the backyard, and just plain having fun.  Oh yeah, JJ has something else he loves to play with now:

Yes, he loves the iPhone.  In particular, the PBS Kids app.  Who wouldn't love watching SuperWhy at any time of the day or night?!

That there is a boy that needs a haircut!













And somebody needs to start taking picture of Mommy with the boy!

..cutie..

The time has come. 

JJ does some pretty cute stuff now-a-days.  Lots of it I think it probably only cute to me in that "he's-my-kid-so-every-move-he-makes-is-cute" kind of way.  And I know everyone says their kid is the cutest, and everyone says that everyone says it...but you don't understand.  It's really true in our case.

So I've decided to start writing some of the cute things JJ does for 3 reasons: So I won't forget; Because he really is the cutest thing ever; And...oh yeah, he's adorable.

Tonight I was running out to grab some McDonalds for dinner.  I grabbed my wallet, phone and keys.  JJ saw what I had in my hands and he left the kitchen headed for the living room.  I didn't know what he was doing, but I thought he might want to come with me (and I was hoping for a fast trip) so I hurried out the door.  Right as I was closing the door behind me I saw him reappear in the kitchen carrying my purse.  He knew I needed it if I was leaving the house!  !!!  I had to open the door back up and give him a big kiss because he's so smart and oh-so-cute!!

Whenever JJ sees something he wants (usually food!) he stands there signing "please" until he gets it!  So cute!  He did it in the grocery store today too!  (He did not get what he was asking for - haha!)

JJ knows what to do with an iPhone now.  He pushes the button to make the screen come on, and tries to swipe his finger across.  It is so cute!

July 2012

..this face..

When I see this face...

I can't help but remember...

That God always keeps his promises.



"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

.other shoes.

After experiencing a few days of horrible, no good, awful (physical) pain, I've come to a conclusion.  I've actually come to this conclusion before.  More than once.  Like whenever I reflect on difficult times in my life.  Or when someone else's trials become known to me.  Or when I hear Otis Redding suggesting that a little tenderness just might be the antidote.

What conclusion do I come to, you ask?  I think it can all be wrapped up in one word.  Actually, there are a few words.  But the one that keeps coming to my mind recently is compassion. 

Compassion.  I think it should be my year word.  Ya' know, the one I want to focus on for the year. 

So I'm a little late.  I'm sure you're already aware of what a procrastinator I am.

I guess grace would be a good word too, now that I think about it. 

My main point I guess is that age-old saying about walking a mile in someone elses' shoes.  You don't know by looking at someone what they're going through.  True, there are those who wear their emotions on their sleeves, and love to let you know just how miserable their life is.  But think of all those you pass each day.  Those people you work with.  The cashiers you come in contact with.  Fellow shoppers, drivers, restaurant-goers or even family members.  So many carry silent pain, whether physical, emotional, whatever. 

So instead of honking at that driver who didn't go right away when the light turned green, maybe take the time to realize that she couldn't see the light turn through her tears.  Instead of being frustrated that your neighbor still hasn't mowed his lawn, consider doing it for him.  Instead of swearing at that person who just cut you off, think about the fact that she could be rushing to the hospital to be at the bedside of someone she loves.  When that older person takes forever counting out change for the cashier at WalMart, take the time to consider that the conversation taking place could be the only one that older person will have all day.

I know there are jerks out there.  People who drive crazy just because.  Annoying folks who just talk your ear off.  But what does it hurt you to just have a little compassion?  What does it cost you?  Nothing.  And someday, somewhere, someone will offer you that compassion.  Thinking about others before yourself is kind of the way life is supposed to work.  So give a little grace to those around you, and always remind yourself that you don't know what burdens another person may be carrying.  Your compassion could be the only thing they need to make it through the day.

Snow Day ~ Part Two

Hello little snowman.

I can see you out my kitchen window.

Now, when I do dishes, I can look at you and be happy.

Until your little blueberry features and carrot nose are eaten away, which I'm sure won't take long.

But for now, you make me smile.

Snow Day ~ Part One

Snow pictures are hard.  Who woulda' thought?  I got a couple good shots this morning, inbetween shoving my camera into a Price Chopper grocery bag to keep it from getting too wet.  Hopefully a few drops won't hurt it. 

Luckily I looked up 'taking pictures in the snow' before I went outside.  One little tip I tried was focusing your camera first on something dark, pushing the button halfway, then turning to whatever it is you really want a picture of and pushing the button the rest of the way down.  And what do you know, it worked! 

Exhibit A:

taken in normal auto

blah, gray

(grey?  gray?  that one always gets me)

focused in on a tree trunk first, then spun around and finished the picture

Exhibit B:

again, taken in normal auto

again, focused on the dark tree trunk, then finished up on the branch

I learned something today!!!  Anybody have any more tips for a snow-picture-taking newbie??

mishmash

The snow is falling.  The most significant snowfall we've had, well, all season!  My kitchen is stocked and the Jeep is full of gas and tucked safely away in the garage.  I'm happy to stay inside and have nowhere to go.  Except for taking JJ out to play, which happened just a little while ago.  I layered him up and pulled him around the yard in a laundry basket.  He loved it, Zoe chased us around, then it was naptime.

We're all over the sickness that descended upon our house last week.  Everyone is happy and healthy right now.  And speaking of happy, our little boy is the happiest little boy ever!  And one of the messiest!

He also must be in the throws of a growth spurt.  Lots of eating and lots of sleeping!  This morning, the breakfast that JJ and I usually split, went solely to him.  If this is a sign of things to come, I think he's going to eat us into the poor house!  Seriously, between last night and this morning, it's like he can't get enough to eat!  We'll see how he likes the enchiladas for dinner tonight!

I'm pondering the dilemma of wanting to get some 'snow' pictures with my new camera yet not wanting to get my new camera wet.  Hmmm...

JJ and I did a huge grocery day on Monday.  Lots of coupons and sales.  Between ShopRite and Price Chopper I spent $128.10 and saved $137.88.  I have meals for probably about a month, as well as breakfast, snack and lunch stuff.  It was an awesome day and JJ was a real trooper.  One and a half hours out at ShopRite, home for a nap, then an hour out at Price Chopper!  Won't have to do that again for awhile!  It's nice to have tons of food in the house, and to have my menu made up.  The worst part of cooking is trying to figure out what to make.  This way, it's already decided for me ahead of time.  Love doing that.

Now I need to finish up some laundry and dishes.  But I'm so tired, I just feel like taking a little nap while JJ takes his nap.  Isn't that what they say to do?  Sleep when the baby sleeps?  He still qualifies as a baby, right?  At least for a few more weeks...