27 Things.

27 Things to Do While I'm 27!

1. Baby #2!
2. Spend lots of one-on-one time with Nate before AND after the baby is born.
3. Go out on a date night with just Eric at least once every other month.
4. Use our zoo pass at least 10 times.
5. Read at least 20 new books.
6. Learn to make gooey cinnamon rolls like my Mom's.
7. Stop worrying so much about other people's opinions.
8. Sew something.
9. Update Nathaniel's scrapbook, baby book, and toddler book.
10. Reduce the amount of processed foods that we eat.
11. Make my own shampoo, soap, body scrubs, etc.
12. Make my own laundry detergent.
13. Walk the dog more often.
14. Make homemade pasta.
15. Start keeping a journal again.
16. Write more letters to my grandma.
17. Make a new friend.
18. Ask for help when I need it.
19. Paint the spare bedroom/turn it into a nursery.
20. Worry less.
21. Pray more.
22. Become a more patient wife and mother.
23. Transition Nate to his own bedroom.
24. Talk to my brothers more.
25. Invite family over for dinner more often.
26. The Love Dare.
27. Spend more time outside, relaxing.

Thoughts on #2.

"[Motherhood] ...is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
Elizabeth Stone

Every pregnancy is different. I've been reminded of this fact every morning that I've woken up to more nausea, each night that I've taken an extra-hot shower to relieve back pain, and every time that I look in the mirror and realize that my bloat is showing already! But, more than physical differences, I am noticing that I'm already feeling differently about this pregnancy. Like with Nate, I am excited--but for different reasons. I am less nervous about my body carrying a child, and more nervous at the same time. During my first pregnancy, I lived in fear of miscarriage for several months--probably until I could feel him moving inside me. I was scared of losing the opportunity to become a mother--whatever it might entail. This time, while I still fear a loss, I feel differently. A loss would break my heart because I know what I would be losing--I know the love and the mother/child bond that I would miss. But, my fear is overshadowed this time by that same knowledge--I am so excited, and so very happy to be carrying this baby because it means that I'm going to be a mommy of two precious little ones. Two little ones who I will love and cherish and adore more than I could have ever dreamed possible!

Christmas.

How was your Christmas?? Ours was wonderful! We attended church in the morning, then came home to open gifts, and share dinner with family. What fun Christmas is when you have a with whom to share!! I can honestly say that seeing Nathaniel's face light up as he opened his gifts and saw surprise after surprise was more of a gift to me than a million presents could be! We had a wonderful day, that ended with a living room full of new toys and a very sleepy (but oh so happy) little boy! Here are a few photos from our day...

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have the merriest Christmas with the ones you love best!!

Santa?

(image from Epic Wallpapers.)

Do you belive in Santa Clause? Did you? Does your child? Personally, I have never believed that Santa Clause was real. My parents taught me that it was a game that people played, and I never questioned it. I didn't feel slighted or cheated to have missed out on any sort of "magical" Christmas wonder; I simply knew the truth. I've always known that I'd tell my children the same thing. But, as a mother of a child who will probably start noticing/questioning Santa Clause within the next year, it's a little more complicated. No, I will not teach Nate that Santa is real. He's not, and I firmly believe that children should always be told the truth. Always.
But, for the first time this year, I've found myself thinking about Santa and almost wishing that he were real. Can you imagine? A world in which every single child receives his/her Christmas wish? There would be no parents dreading Christmas morning because they can't afford gifts. There would be no orphans missing out on a special Christmas surprise. There would be no "Angel Tree" at the mall. There would be no Operation Christmas Child. Every single child would wake up on Christmas morning to presents!! Now, I know that Christmas isn't really all about the gifts, but it is about the children. And, like it or not, to kids, Christmas is very much about gifts.
I suppose that in a world with a real Santa Clause, we would miss out on opportunities to give, and that would take away some of the spirit of the season. But, really, there is no reason why we couldn't give anyway! Isn't that what Santa would want us to do? And, in a world with a real Santa, I think we'd all be working a little harder to stay on the Nice List!

(image from Christmas Clip Art)

Merry Christmas!!

Kitchen Makeover.

Before:

During:

After:

Spaghetti Night!

Baby #2!

After a few months of trying to get pregnant again, I was shocked to see TWO little pink lines on the test today. I'd been absolutely positive that this was NOT our month, and I wasn't too happy about it either. (I'd already lamented the fact that this month was my last chance to be pregnant for Christmas, and I really, really wanted to be!) And so, I gave in and took a pregnancy test this morning. I didn't even look at it, and went off to fold laundry. About 10 minutes later, I returned to the bathroom to put away a load of towels. And, when I glanced over at the test, I saw two lines. TWO! I was shocked. I picked up that test with shaking hands and studied it closely--and then the waterworks started! Since Eric was at work, Nathaniel was the first to hear the big news! If you're curious about what a 16-month-old will do when you're crying in the middle of the living room floor and telling him that he's going to be a big brother, it's simple. He'll ride his rocking horse and sing a "song", in between fake sniffles to mock you!

Crappy Pictures.

This post really doesn't have any other point, but to shamelessly promote someone else's blog. Have you ever heard of Crappy Pictures? It is a blog that is written and illustrated by a hilarious mom of two little boys! She shares the humor of child-rearing through {you guessed it...} crappy pictures!

I think this particular blog appeals to me for a few reasons.
A) Truly funny mom blogs are enjoyable and sometimes hard to find.
B) Crappy pictures drawn on Microsoft Paint remind me of one of my favorite gals. Back when we were in high school, we wrote notes to one another about classes, the boredom endured in those classes, and boys. (Of course, we had code names for certain boys--just in case said notes fell into the wrong hands {notedly, Nodge and Root Beer}). More often than not, the notes were illustrated with stick figure drawings. (I'm pretty sure I spent an entire semester in Driver's Ed drawing cartoons and finishing anatomy homework.)
Eventually, our drawings spilled over into our virtual communication--waay back in the old days of dial-up and AIM chatting. There wasn't a whole lot to do on the computer besides play Solitaire and draw in Paint. Thus, our own "crappy pictures" were started. And, while I haven't opened Paint in a long time, I've been enjoying Crappy Pictures for a few months now.

Her most recent entry about public toilets and recent potty-trainees had me laughing out loud! Enjoy!

http://crappypictures.typepad.com/crappy-pictures/

Holiday start.

We're slowly, but surely, tranforming our house into its Christmas glory. (Hah!) It's been much colder recently, and we've taken the opportunity to stay home and begin decorating. We don't have our tree yet (I'm determined to get a real one this year!), but most everything else is out. I've also been busy removing the hooks from every single ornament that we own, and replacing them with ribbon. (Funny how motherhood makes you notice deathtraps in all sorts of daily scenarios!) I've also been crafting my own child-proof ornaments, as I refuse to have the bottom 3 feet of my beloved tree bare, yet also refuse to pay an arm and a leg for a set of goofy {ugly!} stuffed animal ornaments. Stay tuned for a toddler-friendly Christmas ornament tutorial soon!
Hope you're keeping warm and enjoying the begining of the most joyous season!

Wordless Wednesday.

Thought provoking...

"Jesus never admonished children to be more grown-up. He did, however, exhort grownups to become more like children."
Wess Stafford

Thanksgiving Recap.

Hope your Thanksgiving holiday was spent with lots of loved ones, and full of laughter. (And, of course, delicious foods!) Ours was plentiful in all three of those departments! Here are a few photos of our day...

And, just for fun, here is a comparison of Nate on Thanksgiving 2010 and 2011!

thankful, day 7.

I've been thinking about this post all day, and I still haven't quite decided what I'm going to write about. It's not that I don't have anything for which to be thankful, but rather the exact opposite. I am so very, incredibly blessed that I don't know what deserves this last "thankful" post of the week. I am thankful for my precious family, our home, the abundant food in my kitchen, an amazing God who provides for all of our needs and loves me unconditionally, a welcoming church family, a pastor who serves the Lord with all that he is (and his sweet family!), old friends, my abilities and talents, good books, and the many priceless opportunities that I have been given during my life. (And, that list is far from exhaustive.) I cannot even find the proper words to express the way that I am blessed and how grateful I am.
And, on that note, I am going to get off the computer and relax. The pies are baked, the baby is asleep, and the house smells satisfyingly of pumpkin and cinnamon. It's going to be a good Thanksgiving.

Hope you have a wonderful day with those you love tomorrow!
Happy Thanksgiving!!

thankful, day 6.

Today I am thankful to live in a climate where we get to experience 4 very different seasons every year. Every time we have a seasonal change, I am convinced that this is my very favorite part of the year!

How amazing it is to watch the first spring daffodil bloom, or to experience a hazy summer day beneath the lush green canopy of trees, or to admire the gorgeous autumn foliage adorning the autumn hillside, or to catch the very first snowflakes of the season on your tongue!

Oh, what a wonderful world...

thankful, day 5.

I am thankful that our family is healthy. I am also thankful that we have health insurance. Eric and I were without health insurance for the first few years of our marriage, and while we did not have any major health problems or accidents, it was a source of stress. I feel very secure and peaceful knowing that we have a lot of financial help coming if we ever have a medical need.
I cannot even begin to express how glad I am that we do not need that help right now! It is nice to go to the doctor for regular check-ups, but it is even nicer to hear that we are healthy. Even better than hearing about yourself, is hearing that your child is perfect and thriving. We are so blessed.

thankful, day 4.

I am thankful that we live in a country where we are free to do and say as we please, where we have easy access to education, and where the majority of us have plenty to eat. I am the first to admit that the USA is not perfect, nor is it superior to other countries--but, we do have many freedoms and luxuries that the majority of the world lacks. I am thankful to live here, and I am thankful that so many men and women have chosen to serve our country to keep us free.

Image from Pinterest, via Zen and Living Simply.

Parade.

We took Nathaniel to his very first Christmas parade last night (yes, I know, the week before Thanksgiving?!). Although it was cold out, we all enjoyed ourselves. We arrived early in order to get a good spot (which we absolutely did!), and we had a chilly picnic of pizza for dinner. While it was hard for Nathaniel to wait for the parade to begin, he did enjoy watching the crowds.

Once the parade actually began, he seemed to really like watching it. I think his favorites were the Christmas floats covered in sparkly lights, the dancers, and the horses. Several people eve made sure to give Nate candy canes that they were passing out! We had a late night (way past somebody's bedtime), but it was well worth it for a fun family night--and a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

thankful, day 3.

I am thankful that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom for Nathaniel. I've always wanted to be able to be home to take care of our children, and working in a daycare for 2 years only reinforced my opinion that children are absolutely not meant to be raised in such a setting. It was a hard wait for us to wait on parenthood until we were financially able to make it on one salary, but I am so glad that we did! Our son means the world to me, and it would kill me to let someone else spent 40+ hours/week with him. Staying home with our boy has been the best thing that I think we've done for him, and I am so grateful that it is possible.
Thank you, Eric for giving me the best job ever!!
(Hey, where else can you stay in your jammies all day long?)

15 months.

Nathaniel is 15 months old today! When he turned one, I felt like the past year had flown by, but now....really, I mean, didn't he just turn one yesterday?! When they say babies grow up fast, they're not lying!

Nate has learned to walk! About two weeks ago, he just stood up and went. And, after a few days of careful and delierate stepping, he decided that his crawling days were a thing of the past! He walks everywhere, and he's fast! (I thought he could crawl fast, but this is a totally new game!) He's on the verge of running, and thinks that it's hilarious when Daddy chases him. I'm so proud of my big boy!

Nathaniel's favorite toys right now are balls! He loves balls of all kinds, colors and sizes!! Every day, he brings me a "baa!" (or five to hold while he collects the rest). He especially likes the little plastic balls from his ball popper because they're the perfect size for his little hands, and the textured sensory balls that he received for his birthday. As a side note, one of his favorite foods is clementines, which he also refers to as "baa"s.

Some of his other favorite toys are his Buzz Lightyear rider, his pop-up toy, his ring-stacker, blocks, and, of course, books! He still loves to sit down and look at all of his "boo"s by himself. He also loves to bring books to us to be read aloud. His Nana taught him that the tiger in his Noah's Ark book growls, so now he growls at several different animals in various books! His favorite books right now are "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and "Ten Little Puppies".

To say that Nate likes animals is an understatement! He LOVES animals! Our dog, Grover, is his best friend, and I'll often find them wrestling in the living room! Grover is wonderful (and so gentle!) with Nathaniel. Sometimes, Grover runs laps through the house, with Nate chasing after him laughing as hard as he can--so funny! Nate also loves our cats (or, as he calls them "keekee!"s), although they do not share his enthusiasm. They sometimes will tolerate a quick pat from Nate, but he tends to be too noisy for their tastes. Nathaniel also loves to find pictures of animals in books, and he very much enjoyed our trip to the zoo last month!

I've started doing some simple activities with Nate throughout the day, and he's enjoyed all of them. We've finger-painted, colored, played with play dough, played in leaves, done stickers, water play, and made a sensory bowl of dried beans. Although he has a typical 1-year-old's attention span, he has participated in everything very well. (Not even one attempt to eat the play dough!)

Nathaniel can say several words, and he understands practically everything that we say! He says "baa" (ball), "boo" (book), keekee (kitty), momma, baba (dada). His favorite noise is the "B" sound, and he uses "buh" for several different things (sock, cup, binky, etc). When he gets very excited (like when Daddy comes home from work), he screams and claps! When he gets mad, he screams and throws himself backwards. Nate follows directions ("come here", "time to eat", "all done?", "may I have that?", "no", "look", etc.), and often surprises me with what he understands.

As far as foods go, Nate likes almost everything that he's tried. The only thing that he does not like is scrambled eggs. Some of his favorite foods are crackers, cheerios, grapes, peas, apples, yogurt, spaghetti, pizza, fig bars and clementines. He can feed himself with his hands, and we're working on using a spoon. (I'll admit to not letting him try it as often as I should because it's just easier to feed him!) He has not taken to whole milk yet, although I really have not been offering it often. He is still nursing three times/day (before nap, before bed, and early morning), and I haven't decided when we're going to work on weaning yet.

Nate has 12 teeth now, and is still teething. He has two molars, and two more that are coming. He's a trooper, but he does get fussy when he's tired and his mouth hurts. I usually do not medicate, but we use Hyland's teething tablets when he needs something. Occasionally, I will give him Tylenol to help him sleep. My poor little guy has been teething for so long--I cannot wait for him to be finished!

Nate still uses his binky, but is only allowed to have it for bedtime and naptime. He always cheerfully hands is over when he wakes up, and I'm planning to start "binky weaning" soon. I kept planning to take it away "cold turkey" when he was done teething because he does seem to get some relief from chewing on it when his mouth hurts--but it seems that teething is never-ending! We will be starting to lose the binky soon, and I don't anticipate it being too much of a problem. But, as always, toddlers are not predictable, so we shall see...

Nathaniel is a happy and silly little boy. He is very friendly, and grins at strangers everywhere we go! He even has a very fake and cheesey smile that he does when people smile at him, and he enjoys the laughter that he gets every time he does it! He is sweet and loves cuddling almost as much as we love cuddling him! He'll often stop for a quick hug while he's playing, but isn't interested in anything lasting more than 2 seconds unless he's sleepy. Nathaniel amazes us every day with the things that he is learning and the skills that he possesses. He is an incredible little boy who has his mommy and daddy utterly head over heels for him!