Whats Next?

I am amazed how much Drew has learned and developed in a short amount of time. I am always wondering day to day what will be next on his agenda to learn. This morning, was no different.

We have been practicing waving. Myself or someone would hold up our hand and wave bye-bye or hello so Drew could see and take in what we are doing. Sometimes Drew would stretch out his arm, but not wave. And other times, I would move his arm to show him what to do.

Our morning routine was no different this morning. We said bye-bye to his daddy and grandpy and Drew just sat there and ate his oatmeal. When it was time for us to leave the house, his coat was put on, we walk over to the TV to shut it off and we say bye to Steve or Joe (from Blue's Clue's). After the TV was off, I asked Drew if he was ready to go bye-bye and he held up his arm and waved his little hand and did the baby wave. I was amazed!

My little boy waved for the first time to himself as he was leaving. I was so excited! He figured out what to do when he hears bye-bye. Wow! What's next?

Wordless Weds - I like popcorn too!

Timeline Is No More

My weekly "Timeline Thursday" has come to an end. Last week was the final one. The pictures that were published on Thursdays were taken by my cell phone. Those photo's were actually daily photo's I had taken of Drew and sent out to those who "subscribed" to them since the day he was born. I would then gather those photo's from during the week and post them weekly here.

Well, that ended on Saturday when I had changed my cell phone plan to eliminated the data package which had the email component in a lump fee on my cell phone bill. Well, I took it off of our phones to save a little money each month, which in turn eliminated the daily photo.

But, I will now return to the Wordless Wednesday photo's and they will feature Drew. I hope the photo of the day recipients will enjoy the blog along with my regular "fans".

Another Year

Jeff and I in Hawaii on our honeymoon

I can't believe another year has gone by. Today is Jeff and my 4th wedding anniversary. I can't believe what we've been through in the past four years, good and bad. I wouldn't change a thing since it made us grow as a stronger couple.

We celebrated yesterday by going out on a lunch date to a local steak house. Oh, it was yummy. I splurged and had a yummy crab stuffed steak with a sweat potato. And to top it off, a nice glass of wine. Jeff had his usual salmon (yup, at a steak house) and a beer. It was so nice to have a slow paced, just the two of use lunch. We haven't had one of those in such a long time.

Well, here's to another year and many more to come! Happy Anniversary Jeff!!

Relief is on its way!

Its been a little stressful around our household lately. Its nothing Drew has done. Its nothing my husband has done (this time). Its those monthly commitments we call bills.

Its been a challenge around here. The credit card companies have played their tricks and I'm sick of it. I'm tired of being hounded by phone calls at home, work and on my cell phone and the occasional email that I'm late on a payment (I know already that I'm late with the payment, it doesn't matter how much you call me, I still won't have any money until payday!). We have full-time tuition for day care to juggle. I have a husband who likes to have toys (but I think he's finally realized he has to give and take a little more for now). And me, who hates to fall behind on commitments (especially bills).

So this week, I'm scrounging up the little I have left to sell to try to make a little extra money. I signed a contract today to consolidate some credit cards (I loved telling Discover card today what I did). Jeff decided to sell his motorcycle and continue looking for a part-time job.

We don't know if we will be able to afford an April visit to see Zack, but we will try like heck to see him. We canceled our February visit (mutually between us all which was nice) because things are tight, but I don't want to cancel two in-a-row if I could avoid it.

But now with all of our recent decisions this week, I feel a little relieved. I feel a little of the weight lift and I could relax a little. I had a little spring in my step tonight and it was nice.

Timeline Thursday

Mural Project Day 3

The task I wanted to complete last weekend, has finally been done! Thanks to mom who had extra tracing paper lying around, she let me use it to finish tracing the massive picture on the wall.

I started off with the little section I did last Sunday with the itty-bitty piece of graphite paper the company sent me to use over and over (pictured to the right).

I was able to work through the hand cramps and blood loss in my right arm while I completed tracing the Winnie the Pooh mural. I think it looks great and now I have to start planning out the colors I'm going to use. I'm a tad frightened that it won't turn out like it should, but I still have some white paint left over to cover up what ever I don't like and start over (I hope I don't paint over the entire thing though).

I asked Jeff what I should put on the tacked piece of paper behind Pooh Bear, since I had a few ideas but couldn't decide. He said, why not Drew's birth information? I said like his birth announcement? He said, yeah! So, I'm going to give that a shot and see what it looks like! It should be interesting!!

The mural photo I traced from (what's on the wall is too light to show)

Double Digits

Today marks Drew's 10 month birthday. I can't believe it. Where does the time go? It feels like we were just celebrating his 9 month milestone. Is it because he accomplishes so much in 4 weeks that it makes the time fly? Is it because I want him to slow down but he keeps on growing? Jeff says he has to grow up sometime, but can't we take a breather once-in-awhile?

In these past 4 weeks Drew has learned to pull himself up, sit back down by bending his legs, sits up from the floor, crawls more like a big boy (but still reverts back to the army crawling), grew another tooth (making his total 8 so far), eating more solid foods and learned to throw tantrums. His personality is making its way through and he is learning to communicate, even if he can't say the actual words for what he wants (either it be your attention or is upset you took something away).

We are still working on sleeping through the night, but we are s-l-o-w-l-y getting there. We are trying to find what works best for us to get from bed time to wake up time.

What will the next 4 weeks hold? I don't know, but I do know that in two months, I will have a one year old. That is hard to imagine!!

Where did you learn that?

My boy is typically happy and fills everyone elses lives with joy. He smiles when you are around, gets excited when you walk into a room, will follow you around while he talks to you and typically is happy as can be with his little life.

But, there are times when he can throw the best of tantrums. When did he learn to do that? I never taught him how to throw one of those, so I have no idea where he learned it. Its one of those where he's over tired or told him no one too many times (after he stands up and want to touch the tv) and you go to pick him up and his body just goes straight. You can't grab him under his arms or he'll slip right out and onto the floor so you fumble with his body.

He just started to do this withing the past couple of weeks and I just was curious how babies/kids learn these things!! Its amazing on one aspect, but really challenging on another. I can only imagine what else he comes up with to protest what he's being told.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a wonderful day with the ones you love! Enjoy the love you have between each other and show those around you how much you care today and each day after. Also, tomorrow indulge in the 1/2 price chocolate everywhere!!

Ahoy Matie.....

You have a wonderful weekend, arg!

Timeline Thursday

Offical Haircut

Mr Drew Magoo had his first official haircut last weekend. He's had 4 other touch-ups or haircuts from his parents, but the other day was his first time sitting in the barber chair.

We were at the mall and my mom said she wanted to look into getting her hair cut and hinted that she wanted to splurge and let Drew have his hair done too. So, we signed them both up for a haircut and waited for their turn.

Drew went first and sat in the big boy chair (with the kid booster seat) for his trim. I was in front of the little guy to help keep him focused and to make sure he doesn't turn around and fall off the chair (that wouldn't leave a good impression).
So, the hair dresser did her thing with a snip here and a buzz there. She was very patient since Drew was a little squirmy, but not too bad. He wanted to see what was going on more then anything. He didn't mind the buzz sound around his ears or the hair dresser holding his bangs while she trimmed, he just wanted to help out (and at times he was being tickled).
After a short time, his hair was done. He looks like such a big boy now! I was very proud of him that he did so well for his first time with someone else trimming his hair. This could turn into a routine thing if it continues to work out so well!

Mural Project Day 2

Last weekend was day 2 of our big mural project. I wanted to get all the tracing done, but it didn't quite work out that way.

When I pulled the tracing paper out of the envelope it was rather small. I didn't realize or think to look inside to see that it was a tiny square piece of tracing paper. Oh, I was not happy. I instantly because frustrated.

After I figured out how to hang the tracing paper and the stencil of the mural without falling or slipping, I calmed down. I figured I would take care of the area that can be traced by this small square and continue another day after I have more tracing paper. I guess I could move the small piece of graphite paper, but that would get way too complicated and I wasn't up for that task. Also, I didn't want to move the tracing paper, trace the picture and find out the graphite paper ran out of tracing power.

So, I started the top of the tree that Winnie the Pooh leans on while eating honey. Later that night, my mom found some of her tracing paper that I could use for the rest of the mural so I am ready for another day of tracing, but I was so annoyed when I pulled out that tiny paper. I am hoping to work on it this weekend and complete the tracing part of the project.

Touchdown!!

Hey, just encase you didn't know, the Superbowl was yesterday. I know, I know its hard to believe that the season is over, but it had to end sometime. It will be missed until the fall!

I really wasn't up for the big game this year. I don't know if I was focused on other things this year, or I just wasn't interested in either of the teams or I just knew that we wouldn't be doing our usual route this year.

We stayed home rather then going to my in-laws like we usually do since it wouldn't have worked out with Drew being up past his bed time. We made some appetizers, had those goodies for supper and watched the game while Drew played in the living room. The game really didn't hold my attention, but I liked some of the commercials. There was a few I liked, but not as many as in the past years. Maybe the appeal is wearing off since its advertised so much and the pre-game is so long, but who knows. It was still nice to hang out with the family, eat yummy fattening food on a Sunday evening.

Part Time Job

Like I don't have enough to do already, I have myself a little part-time job. Its more of a volunteer, you help me, I'll help you type of situation, but I see it as a low key part-time job.

My new adventure is helping out at Drew's school/day care. Recently the decision was made for Drew to go full-time at day care and with that, came a bigger tuition cost. We had the opportunity since someone was graduating to the next classroom which left an open full-time position in the infant room. I couldn't let the opportunity pass us by not knowing when the next time will come about.

While I was chatting with the Director of the facility about the opening, she mentioned she needed some help in the office and if I was willing to help out for a bartering payment system. I jumped at the opportunity and its a win, win situation.

Monday was my first day and it turns out that I assist the Director an hour a day with filing, record keeping and anything else she can find for me to do. So, its a great trade off. The hours I work come off the tuition payment at the end of the week. Its so wonderful and helpful!

Timeline Thursday

Reminiscing

Do you do this? Am I the only one? Every time I hear about a birth story, I immediately think back to the day my little boy made his first appearance.

Is it because I didn't have a stressful labor? I still remember the pain I experienced at the very end, but I still reminisce about every detail. Even the point when Drew pee'd on me moments after he was born.

I hear of women who don't remember anything or don't even want to think about their experience, so am I the only one who has a flash back on this wonderful day? I wonder? But for now, I will be off in my own little world.........

Mural Project Day 1

Sunday was the first day of the mural production in Drew's room. I had requested assistance from Jeff and my FIL for the first day to help figure out where the mural should go on the wall. I thought I would involve them in someway with helping put this thing together.

So, Jeff and my FIL measured out the size of the mural and marked the wall off with blue painters masking tape for me. It was a whole involved process with pencils, calculators, levelers, laser pointers and the blue tape. Drew stood by to supervise and hold the blue tape for them. He was so proud sitting in his crib so close to the action.

Once that was all taken care of, it was my turn. Today's step was to paint inside the blue box, white over the yellow existing paint. A nice white canvas for the Winnie the Pooh eating honey mural. I had picked up an 8oz container of white paint at Home Depot. It was the "new" try it out before you buy it paint container and it was perfect for my project.

I was able to apply two coats of white paint today. I was very happy. I know it wasn't much for today, but I didn't want to do too much in one day and get sloppy with the project. And besides, when I was done painting, I wanted to get Drew out of the house with the fumes.

Next weekends task, trace the HUGE mural onto the wall. I love the mural company I found on ebay since the mural (4 feet tall x 3 feet long), tracing paper and shipping was under $20. I have a feeling the tracing will be the hardest part, so I am keeping it for its own day's project.

Happy Birthday Grammie

Happy Birthday to the bestest Grammie in the whole wide world!

Today, is my mom's 55th birthday. Its been a wonderful year for her. I know she has some obstacles to overcome, but she has and she is doing great.

Happy Birthday Mom!!