Wordless Weds - Go Speed Racer, Go!!

Mural Project - Day 7

Ask Drew where Pooh Bear is in his room and he'll whip around and point to the huge picture on his wall.

I had some time this past weekend to do a little painting. Jeff took Drew for a ride for most of the day, so I had time to myself. Yeah, I did stuff around the house and errands, but I was excited to do a little painting too. I wanted to do more, but I painted until my arm told me it was enough.

I did the final two coats for the honey, painted Pooh's facial features and started his shirt. I know it doesn't look like much, but there was plenty of painting going on.

I loved it when Drew got home, I brought him into his room and right away he had a huge smile on his face while looking at his wall. He recognized that things are changing on his mural and was talking up a storm. He wanted to get into his crib to check things out!

If you build it, they will come!

That's right, I did some building this weekend. I haven't done this type of construction in some time, but it didn't turn out so bad (at least to Drew's perspective at least).

I built a fort for my little Drew! He discovered the corner in his room, behind his rocker. I'm sure the biggest draw is the dual windows to the outside. He loves to look outside!!

Yesterday he was spending a lot of time back there, so I cleaned it up (you know, those pesky dust bunnies) and made sure the area was up to par for him to be back there.

Today, I had the brilliant idea to build him his little hiding place. Drew was sitting on the floor, watching his mommy hang his blankets with close pins to his curtains and loved it! I think he loved being back there even more. He had books, a blanket and the colander that ended up in his room (I don't ask anymore). I also had a door of sorts with his boppy pillow. I was so proud! And he was having a blast, until he got bored and wandered into the kitchen to see what he could get into out there! But, it was fun while it lasted!

Weekend Ahead

I am so happy to see the weekend, starting tonight. It hasn't been a rough week like last week, but its just welcomed two day break from the daily grind.

We don't have any set plans except to do something Grammie. Since the weather will be cooler, we really can't plan anything outside, but I'm sure we will make the best out of what ever we decide to do.

Maybe some mall walking/window shopping will take place. Maybe some painting. Maybe snuggle napping. Maybe some organizing.

Regardless of what you have planned, I hope you have a nice couple of days too!!

Strongest Baby in the World

Its true, I feel my Drew is the strongest little boy in the world. I hate to admit this, but I even think when he wants to be, he's stronger them me and he's only 11 months old.

The most recent example of his strength was at a doctors appointment last week. We were seeking medical attention since Drew was under the weather and I wanted him to be checked out. The stand-in doctor had me hold him down while she checked his ears. Well, for some reason the doctor thought I wasn't holding him down enough, since she was rude and lecturing me on holding Drew still. The truth was, I couldn't. I was leaning on him to hold him still and he kept getting free. She just didn't understand.

At day care the other day, Drew bonked his head and the policy is to place an ice pack on the bump. Well, the teacher attempted to hold him while she placed the ice pack on the back of his head, but that didn't work out too good for her. She had to wrap her leg around him so he'd be still to hold the ice pack for a short time.

Many people comment on how strong he is and let me tell you, I concur! I just don't want him to find out anytime soon that he is more powerful then his mom, but I'm sure I'll still have the power of mom when needed. But his strength just amazes me every day I witness it!!

Wordless Weds - Daddy & Drew

Mural Project - Day 6

Is that honey I see? Yup, it sure is!!

I was able to paint a little while my parents entertained Drew on Sunday. I had to clean up some of the lines on Pooh Bear since in the drawing I traced had all the lines rough and uneven. It would have been difficult to paint.

After I retraced Pooh Bear, I worked on the pads of his feet, the honey flowing out of the pot (which needs another coat) and I so wanted to paint his little nose for some time now, so I did!!

I also completed the second coat of brown paint on the cut portion of the log Pooh Bear is sitting on. I really want to finish this thing soon, but we'll see what is on the agenda this weekend so I can chip more away at the mural.

As the mural is coming along, Drew points too it often and makes noises. When he's in his crib (since its right under the mural) he likes to hit Pooh Bears feet, its too funny! I am happy to see that he's responding to this massive picture on his wall. I just hope he doesn't get sick of it by the time he's 5 years old and wants to paint over it!!

Back & Forth, Back & Forth......

What a wonderful weekend! It was glorious outside which mean we got to play outside!!

Friday night we had a picnic in the back yard with everyone, Jeff, my FIL, Drew and me. Drew didn't understand that you sit and eat your own food, he wanted what everyone else wanted (even though he had a sample of what we had in front of him on a plate). But, it was still so much fun.

After supper, we played in the back yard. Drew doesn't like the feel of the dead crunchy grass on his hands while he crawls, so we tried to bring out his push walker for him to try. But it just didn't work out with the wheels and grass. So, Jeff remembered we have a sit down/push fire truck in the shed. Jeff brought it out and Drew was so excited. At first we tried to have him sit on it and push him around, but he kept standing up. Jeff then picked him up and had him stand behind the fire truck, and as soon as Drew realized it moved, he was off.

Drew must have walked back-and-forth in the back yard over a dozen times. He was loving it! Oh, I was so happy to see how excited he was to be out there pushing, walking and having a great time.

The weather was so wonderful all weekend long, we were out there everyday playing and exploring.

Mural Project - Day 5

I know, it doesn't look like much, but I had only a little time to work over the weekend on the mural. I took advantage of my mom being over and caught up on some much needed shut eye, then painted a little.

I fixed the honey pot since there were some shadow details on the drawing, but once I painted it, I didn't like it. So, I fixed that part of the mural and while that was drying I worked a little on the tree.

I told Jeff that it doesn't' look like I did much and he reminded me that there is a lot of detail so it would take some time (and then told me that he wouldn't be taking the time for the detail, he's just used to painted a big area.....thanks honey).

So, here is the mural so far. I hope to work on it some more this weekend, but you never know with plans these days. It could all change in the blink of an eye!

Wordless Weds - Playing with Grandpa Charlie

One Month To Go

It hit me hard this morning, my little boy has one more month (starting from today) until he is one years old. I cannot believe Drew is 11 months old today. I hold him like a baby sometimes while he cozy's up in my arms to fall asleep and after I place him in his crib to sleep, he looks like a big kid.

I am amazed how much he's changed over the last couple of months. His facial features no longer resemble the infant I once had (except those lovely, squeezable cheeks). I no longer have a teeny-tiny baby to hold, I have a little boy who will become a toddler within the next couple of months when he takes his first steps alone, without any help.

I can't wait to experience all the new adventures with my little man, but can you slow down growing up just a little bit? Please, for your "ma-ma"? Thanks honey!!

Signs of Spring

Yesterday was cold and rainy, but that didn't stop us from searching out the signs of spring at a local greenhouse (actually on the campus I work at). It was there annual bulb show and I couldn't wait to bring Drew (and of course my mom). I was anxious to see how Drew would reacted to all the bright colors and the different plants. I was a bit nervous that he would yank at a flower and petals would fall to the flower, but that was averted.

It was so wonderful to see him point and grunt while we walked around the greenhouse. He loved touching all the weird leaves and the colorful flowers (he did grab a couple daffodils, but they held up pretty well).

There is a little pond in the middle of the event and I let Drew stand at the railing to look into the water. He noticed right away the bright orange carps swimming through the Lilly pads. He kept watching them with amazement. He would follow them swimming around, even after they disappeared for a moment under the green.

He was such a good boy! There were moments he would try and flirt with a student who walked by him, but other then the occasional distraction, I would say he really enjoyed the show. I can't wait to bring him again next year!!

Firetruck In My Basement

I have a fire truck in my basement. I'm responsible for it. I'm doing the up-keep and maintenance on it, its my project.

But, its not a life size one or anything, its a model of a firetruck. Jeff wanted to do a project together and he suggested we build models. I didn't hesitate when he made this suggestion and I told him sure! In my head I was thinking, why would I want to do that? But, I didn't want to hurt his feelings. So, we ventured out a few weeks ago and bought ourselves each a model vehicle to build.

I have no skills when it comes to building models, so I found a skill level 1 Mack Fire Truck pumper to build. I like firetrucks enough that I don't mind "building" one and to be honest, the skill level is what really caught my attention. Its a paint and then snap together type of build, perfect!

Jeff is a little more advanced when it comes to model building. He has been putting together models for years, but really hasn't in the past couple of years and so I think the bug bit him again and thought it would be nice to do this together. He is working on a Mustang GT.

Last night we worked a little on the model after Drew went to bed. We haven't gotten too far, but we are moving along nicely. We are each painting tiny parts that will snap onto the larger parts when we are done. Jeff is a real sport at "teaching" me how to build my fire truck and I have to admit its not too bad.

Wordless Weds - Favorite Book

My little ham...

When I see that big smile, my heart just melts. Day care was able to capture this wonderful snapshot of Drew. He was curious what his teacher was doing over at the table, so he pulled himself up and she was able to take the picture right as he was flashing his big grin.

A New Trick

Drew is having a ball after he's realized what he could do with one of his toys this weekend.

We have a push along walker type of toy. He's been playing with the toy with its wheels locked so he could work on standing up while he plays with the buttons on top.

On Friday, we unlocked the wheels! He stood up while we held the toy steady, then let go...off he went! Drew was so happy! He was so excited to be moving like a big kid, in the middle of the room rather then along the furniture.

The little guy would walk and keep up with the push walker with a great big smile on his face. We did this all weekend long! Soon, he'll be taking his first steps with out the walker, and watch out for the water works from his mommy!!

Sinking Lower

I want to be positive since its Friday, but its tough. I'm so happy that is it "TGIF", I have a half day left at work, an hour at day care to volunteer and then its the weekend. I'm happy to get through what I need to do at work and finish the day care's newsletter and then spend the weekend with the family, but I just can't shake this funk I've been in for some time now.

I spoke to my doctor a month ago and he offered some help, by speaking to someone or medication and I said I'd wait and see what happens. I don't think talking to a professional will help so I was leaning towards meds to see if they would help, but I didn't want to jump right in. I wanted to see if I could change some things in my life and see if it would help.

It did for a little while, but I'm back in the deep end trying to swim and I keep going under. I don't know why. I just can't shake it. A wonderful friend of mine said it may be because I have a lot on my shoulders and it could be the weight of it all pushing me down. It could be, but I don't know what to do about it. It seems like every new door I open, two more close and I just keep ending up in the same place.

So, I'm sure I'm going to have a wonderful weekend since I have my mom coming with Drew and I on our usual Saturday adventure to who knows (until we get there) and a birthday party for my FIL. I'm hoping having a fantastic weekend will help shake this feeling.

Cruisin'

We have had a lot of movement in our household lately. Its the movement of those objects that are in the reach of those tiny hands reaching for anything and everything since he is moving around so much these days.

Drew has quickly learned he move around while standing up. He "cruises" sideways along the coffee table, the furniture, entertainment system, window siles and anything where he can grab on and stand up on. He also is brave and does the one hand hold on and he makes it look like its no big deal.

You can also tell he's trying to figure out how to get other places without holding on. Its amazing to see him figure things out and or realize he can't quite do something yet (but he will shortly).

Wordless Weds - Joe Cool & Grandpy

Discover Card, Please Stop!!

As you all know, we are struggling with our finances. We have cut a lot of things out of our routine to cut back on costs, including limiting visits to see Zack. We always have help from my parents for items for Drew, but there are those monthly commitments.

A couple of weeks ago, I signed a contracted with a dept counseling company to lower rates and monthly payments for a few of our credit cards. The cards are now closed, the interest rates are so low now and the monthly cost is lower then one of the Discover Cards minimum payment before I signed the contract (we were getting by until the credit card companies played their tricks by lowering the room you have on the credit card loan and made the interest rate jump to be around 30%). I then had a chat with the remaining cards to see what could be done and they were very nice and understanding.

Well, one of the cards in the dept counseling company, the Discover Card, is now not playing nicely. I know I've missed their payment date (since the counseling program payment date and the credit card due date are not the same) because I have entered into the dept counseling program, but they call me at home, work, on my cell phone and email me to get me to pay. There is no way I can afford both payments to Discover and the counseling program. My commitment is now the counseling program. So, I have spoken to 4 different people at Discover about my situation and each one says they will make a note on my record, but within an hour I receive another call.

Its bad enough that I can't pay my bills, but I'm getting help. Then to have to pour my heart out each time, explain my situation over and over again to complete strangers who most likely hear this all the time and have no sympathy. Its very frustrating, tiresome and I am so ready to give up, but I keep on trucking!

Mural Project Day 4

Its been a little while since I was able to work on the mural in Drew's room. We were a little busy and timing wasn't working out for me to take a break and paint. But, I was able to work in a little paint time this weekend while Drew was napping (and my mom was at the house on stand-by in the event he woke up).

I didn't get much done, so there is no photo to show off, but I worked on the honey pot yesterday. I had Drew point to the color he wanted for the bottom half of the honey pot. The colors were tiny circles representing the paint variety I picked up at the craft store. He held the box and started pointing to the turquise blue color. So, that was it! It is now the bottom color of the honey pot on the wall and I matched it with a lighter blue color for the top.

I still have to work on the shadow part of the pot, but I will get to that and the honey next weekend (I hope). So, depending on how far I get next weekend, there may be photo's to be shown. But until then, I'm happy to look at the semi-painted honey pot while I rock Drew to sleep.