Looking Back at My "To Dos"

Last year, I posted a "To Do" list for the year (here).  I didn't quite get through everything, but I did ok.  B's room is fixed up, and we are almost completely switched to more natural cleaners.  Some of the things I didn't finish, like the number of books I read.  The point was still there: I read more.  Same with all my crafty and cooking goals.

I think it is OK that I didn't finish everything on my list this past year.  I made those goals to improve myself.  That is what I did.  I still got distracted and didn't do everything, but at least I did something.  
This year, I am going to make a similar list.  It will even have some of the same things on it.  And I will work even harder towards completing them.
Goals for 2014:

• Make at least 10 new recipes
• Do 5 different Pintrest projects
• Learn about 3 new things/skills
• Work on 3 skills I already have
• Grow something
• Take better care of my body
• Read at least 10 more books
• Establish a consistent Family Home Evening
• Make an effort on my appearance.
• Work harder with my Scentsy business 
• Take lots of pictures

I am excited to see what the new year will bring to our little family.

I hope it will also bring wonderful new things to your home as well.

Absent on Purpose

Yup, this time, I stayed away on purpose.  I Had some very important projects that needed to get done before Christmas.  I usually try to make gifts for my nieces and nephews and usually end up working on them untill early Christmas morning.  This year I made cute hats for these cute kids.

My sister sent me another picture yesterday and Andrew loves his Elmo hat.  I forgot to take a picture of the penguin hat I made for Harper, and she refuses to wear it, but It turned out super cute. 

Now on to our family update.

We have been:

• Watching movies
• Crawling everywhere
• Sitting ourselves up
• Trying to eat Freckles tail.

• Being Nakey
• Using the big boy bath
• Hating cloths
• Getting sick...again

• Eating Cheerios
• Discovering bread
• Getting used to the high chair
• Teaching/learning sign language

• Celebrating Christmas
• In our Jammies from Auntie Jill.
• Having dance parties
• Learning when and when not to rip paper

• Hanging out with Uncle Eric
• Letting Mommy and Daddy watch the Hobbit
• Being cranky
• Cuddling with Mommy

• Eating blueberries
• Making messes
• discovering dog food
• Teething. 

• Having cousin play dates
• Getting lots of cousin hugs and kisses
• Having our toys peed on. A lot
• Taking a month to figure out who did it.

• Eating more Cheerios

and of course

• Being crazy adorable.

Sleeping Troubles Again

I have not seen enough of these lately

 This weekend has been tough.  There has been not enough smiling going on, and way too much crying and screaming.   Friday night we woke up to a screaming baby with a fever.  That pretty much sums up our weekend.  I tried to keep him sleeping for most of the weekend, except that little bit when we went to the Dr.  and when his Uncle Eric came over.

 I was so grateful my brother came to see us, and not just because I needed his help.  After going all night and all morning with this poor child crying constantly, as soon as he saw Eric, he lit up.  Not back to normal, but he was definitely happy to see his uncle.

He went right back to my sleepy sick baby after Eric left.  It has been hard to deal with.  Mostly because not only has be become a totally different child, I know he feels miserable.  He wouldn't eat anything.   Not even his crackers.  He loves his crackers.  He felt so miserable he wouldn't even touch them.  He would only drink breast milk too.  Normally, he drinks lots of water, but he wouldn't even reach for our cups.

I am so glad my family is so close.  Not only did my brother come over Saturday, but, after we ran out, my mom made a Tylenol run so I didn't have to pack my sicky up.(Thanks Mom!) Bonus: I got to see a big smile from my adorable Niece.

I think the cold air from going outside to say bye-bye to Grandma helped, because he cheered up a little after that.  Today, he is almost back to normal.  Still needs more sleep during the day, but so much happier.

With one exception.  Somewhere in all of this, his sleeping habits are even worse.  He will not sleep unless being held, and hates the bed.  As I type, he is sleeping with daddy in the lazy boy because he refused to sleep in the bed.  If I magically get him to not wake up as soon as I put him in the bed (still cuddling, because if I don't, he wakes up immediately)  It is short lived.  He has been waking up crying or screaming every half hour if I'm lucky.  The only way to keep him asleep for longer is by breastfeeding the entire time, and even then, It doesn't work.  I didn't sleep at all last night.

Any one who can give me some insight on if his sleeping habits will normalize soon please rescue me with some knowledge!

Other than that, here are some old pictures from a happier baby.

Night all!

Almost Crawling

I know I said I wasn't going to disappear any more.  The excuse I have is(a good one) two words long:  "Doctor Who"

That's right, I am now a Whovian.  If you have yet to watch it, you should start...or run.  Once you get into it, you get really into it.  Truthfully, now nothing else on Netflix sound good to watch anymore.  I may just have to watch them all over again.

Now to what is really important. New things with Bryan

 He is almost sitting up stably by himself.  He can sit for a little bit, but after a few seconds his balance gets off and he tumbles.  

 He has also started to roll around really well and can maneuver himself all over the floor.  I used to be able to set him on his blanket and go make my bed or do dishes.  Now, if I leave him for more than 30 seconds, it is almost guaranteed he is into trouble, and he doesn't even do a full on crawl yet! I went to get water and he had scooted himself all the way to where our power strip is and was chewing on it.  This mama needs to start baby proofing.  Fast.

I was talking to my dad this morning (Happy Birthday Daddy)  and we were talking about how much Bryan has grown.  He informed me that once they start walking, it is all over.  You mean it isn't already?  Even as we speak, baby has maneuvered himself to the iPad (he loves to watch color crew on it.) and is dragging it around the floor to get away from me.

I also need to start cleaning my floors more often.  Joy.  I hate cleaning the floors, but when you pick up your baby, and he is covered in dog hair, dirt, and who knows what else, It becomes a priority.

 Freckles loves to interrupt my little photo sessions.  I cant decide if he really likes Bryan, or just doesn't mind him.  I know Zuko prefers to keep his distance (too many fur pulling incidents) and the cat loves him, but freckles, I'm not sure about.  All three of them though, are very gentle with him, even with the fur pulling.

Loving the SHM Life

Lots of pictures at the end of this post.  I took so many cute ones, I just couldn't cut them out

Some days, he can be such a stinker, but even then, I still feel incredibly lucky to be with him.  He bites me, hits me, and pulls out my hair.  As painful as it is, I kinda love it.  When he is extra excited, he smiles and blinks really fast while sucking air in.  Then there is that laugh.  Oh that laugh.  It is the most amazing sound I have ever heard.

These are things that I get to enjoy and think about all day.  Yes I do need a break from him every now and then, and he doesn't nap when I want time too, but it is all worth it.  I can get the dishes done, and have plenty of time to play.  In the morning, when I am exhausted, I get to snuggle and watch Veggietales with my smiley boy.  My house is getting under control, and I don't have to sacrifice time with my little man to get it that way.  I am able to take care of my family like I have always wanted!

About a week ago, I lost sight of that.  While talking to Luis about my concerns and doubts with the choice I made to stay home, Bryan looked at me and gave me a big smile.  Cue water works.  

Was I crazy? Of course I made the right choice!  No one was going to take care of my boys like I am.  No one was going to care about Bryan's little accomplishments like I do.  How would I have the patience for my son and husband that I have now when I was working all day and coming home to a messy house.

I have nothing against working Mommies.  Nothing at all.  Being a working mom is tough but they can do it.  I know plenty of working moms that are able to keep everything together.  (I am not positive, but I think they have house elves or something working for them)  I was not one of them.  

After I started crying at that beautiful smile, he put his hand on my cheek and just left it there.  He didn't scratch me or try to yank on me, but just left it there.  It felt like he was telling me it was OK.  He knew I was doing my best.

Even with me staying home, I still don't have it all figured out.  My house is not spotless, we don't have a set schedule, and my baby is not this happy baby all day long. (though, I will admit.  he is close to it) That being said, I am working on it. I am slowly becoming a Stay Home Mom/Wife that my family deserves. I will never be perfect at it, but no matter what anyone else says or does,  I know I have a little boy that needs and believes in me. I also am married to a wonderful man that loves and supports me in whatever I decide to do.

Now, on with the pictures, before I think of any other long messages to write.

There is a song that I listen to (It is called track 3 on my computer and no idea who the artist is) One of the lines goes something like this:  "I know little babies come from heaven.  I know god made those tiny hands and hearts"  I thank god every day for letting this perfect example of love to my arms.

Halloween and Easy Pumpkin Pancakes.

Halloween was so much fun.  Like always, we went to my sister's  to trick-or-treat with her kids, only this year, I didn't get in trouble when I carried my niece around when she got too tired to walk.(Last year, I was pregnant, so that was a no-no) 

 I loved dressing Bryan up.  He looked so cute in is Peter Pan costume. (or Robin Hood, depending on who you are) He even let me keep the hat on him.

Halfway through walking around with the kids, Bryan got so tired that, as soon as he was put in my arms, he fell right asleep.  I have this thing against the stroller, but I was glad to have it that night.  This boy is getting heavy.  It was nice to be able to let him sleep in his stroller.  Everyone else liked it too.  It made for a good place to store sweaters and candy buckets on the way home.

 This little lion costume was his backup, just in case it got too cold.

In between our little fashion show

This was our center piece for the last week of October.  It was really cute when I had my tissue paper flowers in it...and before I ate some of the candy corn.

And now, Pumpkin Pancakes!

 Like when I did the cherry cupcakes, I used a mix.  You can use any pancake mix, I really like krustys, so that's what I used.  The amounts are as follows:

2 cups pancake mix

5-6 heaping tablespoons pumpkin Puree

1 cup-1 1/4 cup water

1/4 cup chopped pecans(optional)

Mix all that up and then cook it like you would normally cook a pancake.

My dad taught me to make pancakes at a really young age, and I never remember him measuring water for the pancakes.  Now that I am older, I semi measure the water, but never use the exact same amount.  For these, use most of the 1 cup, then mix it.  Then keep adding water and mixing little by little until your batter is the right texture.

We had such an awesome Halloween, but now I am so excited for November.  While I am not a fan of cold, November and December bring a sort of cozy feeling that isn't there for the rest of the year.