Thursday, November 29, 2007

Goody Bag

Okay, so I've totally been ignoring my blog. But there's lots been going on around here, so I've got lots to post about. Here goes.

First and most exciting, little man is walking!!! He'll only take a couple steps at a time and then only when he's forced to, but he's doing it so well! We've only had a couple episodes where he's fallen on his knees. Now I wish I had a third hand so I could take pictures while I hold my arms out for him. Next thing I know he's going to be running around the house getting into things faster than I can clean up the last mess he made. *sigh* My little man is growing up so fast!

Brayden is also starting to night wean himself! Yay! I can't tell you how excited I am. And it's mostly excitement for myself! :) He's nursing less at night in general. And he's not needing to nurse back to sleep every time he wakes up. In fact, I find myself just snuggling him, or even rolling away all together. Sometimes that stops his squirming and lets him settle back into sleep better. And other times he needs to nurse and that's fine, too. I'm just glad he's doing it in his own time...and that that time has finally come. I can now visualize at the end of the ever shortening tunnel the day I can lay him down in his crib and know that he'll sleep there at least most of the night. Eli's about ready to throw a party to celebrate. Although I admit I'll really miss waking up in the night and seeing his sweet little head resting on my shoulder with that look of total contentment on his face. And the feel of his breath on my face. *sigh* Sometimes I think this baby thing is ending way too fast. I'm already figuring how many months/years of decent sleep I need before I can work on number 2!

On a me note, I have volunteered to coordinate our church's annual White Christmas reception. Every year about a week before Christmas we have a White Christmas program, which is always just spectacular. It's a big celebration involving all the adult, youth, and children's choirs, both adult bell choirs, a mini orchestra, and lots of scripture and Christmas carols. And following the program is always a big reception full of holiday decorations and more finger foods and sweets than you can even imagine. It always felt like a really special night to me growing up and this year I'm there to help plan it all out. We had our first logistical meeting for it this morning and I'm really excited.

I hated that I didn't make a Thanksgiving post. But I took my four day holiday and enjoyed the bejesus out of it. Both our families abandoned us this year (well, abandoned is a strong word...they just went off to Tennessee and Texas and we couldn't really afford to go I suppose, so we were left at home). So I cooked dinner for just the two-and-a-half of us. Although you would never know it by the amount of food on my table come 5 o'clock! I made ham, turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, giblet gravy, green been casserole, Pumpkin Gooey Butter cake (OMG Amazing!), and deviled eggs and I bought a chocolate pie and a pecan pie. Needless to say I still have half of it in my fridge! I spent the whole day cooking, but it was tons of fun. I may do it again next year, but I'll be sure to have people over to enjoy it since anyone who knows us knows Eli hardly touched any of it. Brayden on the other hand had a blast! I gave him ham, stuffing, and mashed potatoes and he ate it like it was going out of style. In fact, he grabbed a huge handful of the potatoes and spent ten minutes just nibbling off it! It was too cute.

I guess there's not a whole lot else happening over here. Brayden's a little fussy after his shots on Tuesday. We're going tromping through the woods this weekend to find a Christmas tree and I'll spent the weekend decorating. And then come next Thursday, Eli reports to Biloxi for a week and a half for their ORI. Heaven help them all if they don't pass. Cause if they fail, the General doesn't get his promotion from one star to two and everyone knows that [misery] rolls downhill.

Well, that's about it. I'll make an effort to not wait so long to post again.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Zoobie Pets

So we went to Fairhope for a few hours today. We had a lot of fun walking around and going in stores. We found the seriously cutest toy store over there. It's called Fantasy Island Toys. I remember when they had a store here in Mobile many years ago. They're one of those toy stores that just has all the coolest, neatest toys. Eli and I enjoyed playing with what they had more than Brayden did. I found some really neat stuff and Brayden picked out a Christmas present for himself. But by far the coolest thing there was this thing called a Zoobie. I so have to get one for Brayden and one for every kid I know. It's a plush animal in the shape of an alligator or a hippotomus or a giraffe etc. that flattens out to make a pillow and then zips open and reveals a blanket. But it's not a tiny blanket like those things that are half blanket half animal. We're talking about a 5 foot by 3 foot blanket! How cool is that?! I'd post pictures of them, but you can't download them from the site. But here...go check it out. www.zoobiepets.com

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

That's One Small Step For Baby

Yes, you're hearing it here first. My baby took his first unassisted step!!! It was quick, but he did it! We were at my mom's and he was going from one couch to the other. Normally he reaches out to grab the next couch before stepping over. But this time, he took a step before he grabbed on - hands in the air! I'm so proud of him! I scooped him up and kissed him all over. I'm sure he thought I was nuts, but I don't care. Go little man!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Hoof and Mouth Disease?

So, we're a bunch of pathetic people around here. After much going back and forth (is it strep? an allergic reaction to amoxicillin?) we now know that Brayden has Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease. (Not hoof and mouth disease like my brother asked.) And guess what? I've caught it. And it's miserable. I know why the ped thought it was strep. I looked in my mouth and it's scary. I have little sores and blisters all over the place. No wonder little man had trouble sleeping. At least he's acting like he feels better. They're keeping him on the amoxil just in case, but he's smiling and playful again. Just in time for me to feel miserable. I spent all day yesterday on the couch sleeping. I just kept putting in movies for Brayden. Around 5 he finally demanded company, so I went to my mother's and let my brother and sister play with him while I curled up on their couch. The worst part of this is the headache. It's debilitating and it won't go away. Motrin will keep it down for a while, but it insists on coming back. We're just all sick and pathetic around here. I talked to my sister-in-law this morning and their whole house is sick, too. Anyway, I'm going to lay back down. I promise I'll post something more interesting next time.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Yucky pink stuff...

So, my little man is sick. He woke up at 3 this morning with a fever of 103ยบ and it's been pretty persistent since. I finally got in to see the doctor at 5:50 this evening and found out he has strep throat. My poor baby! His throat is so raw that when she swabbed it, the swab came out with a drop of blood on it. She said it's pretty rare for a baby this young to get strep. I just feel so bad for him. He's been burning up all day. Even his toes have been hot. He was like a little heater in my bed all night last night. I hope the antibiotics clear it up soon.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Hickory Dickory Dock...

I finally got the pictures of Halloween today from Brandon. Isn't Brayden the cutest little mouse?!







And I love Eli as the Big Cheese. =) I can't believe he let me put that on him. He didn't actually wear it out of the house, but hey, at least I got cute pictures. I wish you could see his full costume. The bottom had a corner cut out to look like Brayden had nibbled off it.





Michelle and I had tons of fun doing her makeup. I wish I had gotten a good picture at the beginning of the night when her makeup was fresh. By the time this one was taken, most of her glitter had worn off.



Anyway, we had tons of fun. Brayden did really well wearing his ears. And he loved the candy he got to eat later that night.