Ring around the Rosey and WARNING... naked baby!

So, as I might have mentioned... I was alone with Joey this weekend and he just had me laughing and laughing and laughing. :) I took these two video's... and thought I would share. Now, I have the duty to tell you that the second video is of him naked and dancing. So, if nakedness or dancing naked baby offends you... you might want to look away. :) But, I couldn't resist his little buddha belly and his cute little cheeks. :)






Now's your chance... break away NOW if you don't want to see cute little babyliciousness. It is a bit long and the cutest part is at the end... but I don't know how to edit. :-}



and we'll end on a super cute, post church peek a boo grin.

Not me.. Special Edition

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Except that you can't. You see she's in PICU at a children's hospital sitting bedside to little Stellan who is having grave heart difficulties. She is praying and praying and praying... as are millions of other people. So, this week, the girls closest to her decided it would be fun to do a "Not me Monday.. Stellan Style".

I thought I would participate.

I have NOT spent a good portion of this week praying for a little angel that I do not know. I do not know his mother in real life but I feel like I know her in heart... one mother's heart to another.

I have NOT spent all of my work week with twitter up on my computer waiting on new tweets.

I did NOT join Twitter specifically so that I could follow MckMama on her updates.

I did NOT add or decide to follow many of her followers that all of a sudden joined this same movement. Nope... not me.

I have NOT mentioned this to my husband and he doesn't think I am crazy. Nope... not me. :)

I have NOT sat here admiring MckMama's spirit and heart through this whole ordeal... knowing that she is suffering through this while remaining strong and steadfast.

I have NOT put myself into her shoes and the shoes of all of those other parents suffering with sick or terminal children. I have not sat here reading their stories, praying for them with tears streaming down my face. Nope... it wasn't me.

I have NOT hugged my beautiful son just a bit tighter (which is near to impossible to GET tighter) all week long and told him I love him over and over and over again.

I have NOT sat here thinking that one little FIVE month old boy and his gracious mama are responsible for bringing a huge movement of prayer to the forefront. Which, in and of itself, is a miracle.

I have NOT sat at my desk thinking what a miracle life is and how lucky and blessed each and every one of us is. Nope... not me.

Random Musings.......

So Jason is in matagorda this weekend cleaning the rats out of their new house. yep... you read that right... rats. ugh! He and five other guys went in on a house for hunting and fishing... it was basically an abandoned house that they spent too much money on (wink wink) but that once they fix it up it will really be someplace special for all them and their kids.

But this is a work weekend for all of them. They are going to clean and clean and put it all together.

So, I worked today and planned on closing early because today was "Spring Fling" at Joe's daycare. I got there there was no place to park and after driving around three separate times (joy)... parked in the grass. I got inside and found out that it was mainly for the big kids... the little kids didn't even go... humph.

Joe and I had a great night though. As soon as we got home he ate. Much earlier than we had been eating which actually worked a lot better. Go figure. We played. I was even able to make him some banana muffins... give him a bath and then we played.

Now I sit here... watching Supernanny and evaluating my own parenting skills. I am actually worried that the things she's correcting in those couples are things that I am doing. Joe is almost two and still has a paci. He goes to bed in his own bed but will end up in ours at somepoint during the night. Now granted... he's not even two... but I know... I know... somethings need to change.

I actually like Supernanny's way of getting kids to sleep in their own beds. I might could do that because you are IN the room although that doesn't seem to be the problem with Joe. He wakes up and I'm not there and that's when he gets upset. He hates to be alone. Now he plays well on his own but he hates to sleep on his own.

We all want to be good parents. And what makes a good parent? I know that I do not need to be his friend. He will have a lot of friends in his lifetime... he needs two parents. He needs people to teach him right from wrong... good from bad... acceptable and unacceptable. I guess I think of him still as such a baby... and that he doesn't understand. He does... he understands so much more than we all think he does.

I have been rather mellow this week. I have spent a lot of time praying for a little boy that I do not know. A family that I have never met and probably will never meet. Why is it that this family has touched my (and so many others) hearts? What is it about them? I have no idea. I do know that from this more "spiritual" person (as opposed to specifically Christian, although I am working on this too)... I have done more *praying* than I think I have ever done. More specific praying. It has caused a lot of soul searching. the where's and the what for's. One thing is for certain though... I don't have a single doubt that my prayers are being heard. That, THAT, is comforting.

My husband thinks I am nuts. certifiable in fact. But if he were to really think about it... I have met most of my friends through the internet. Some of my best friends I have met through a message board. I keep in touch with people that I haven't seen in twenty years... through the internet. I keep my journal on a site that can be accessed by anyone. In this day and age of reality television... is it any surprise that I feel drawn to a real family that is in need. I guess the sad part is that I then start to think of the fact that there are so many OTHER families that I don't know about that need just as many good thoughts and prayers. This beautiful baby boy is just lucky, just blessed, enough to have a mama who is an excellent writer and has been able to draw people into her circle through her spirit, her words and her humor.

I told you my thoughts were random tonight.

I'm tired. I should be in bed. I'm not.

I sit here checking on my usual sites and drinking the last of my glass of wine. Since being home... I have brought the trash cans in... emptied and refilled the dishwasher, fed Joe and I, made banana muffins, bathed the baby, played with the baby, prepared his water for the night, put the baby to bed, picked up and am now updating the blog... not much really. ;)

I do more at home than my husband. He probably won't agree with me but there it is... I said it. He does more at work than I do. There... I said that too. But, I can. I can do it. I can handle the business on my own if I have to (for example he left this morning at 9:00 am and I handled it all day)... I just don't want to. There, I said that too. I wish I didn't feel guilty for it.

Is it super bad that i actually look forward to when poodle toots wakes up and comes down with me? he's such a good snuggler. Sometime during the night, he will reach out, wrap his little chubby arms around my neck and pull me just a little bit closer as his breathing levels back out. how can you NOT look forward to that?

And the morning... the morning is so much fun!!! He wakes up talking to me. He'll say HI and then fall over and nuzzle for awhile. The he sits up and talks to me... he'll say JOOSH (water) and this goes on for awhile. He *lets* me tickle him... when I stop and the giggle subside he gives me the sign for "more". Too cute. These are the moments that I will never get back again. :)

I am one lucky... and blessed... woman. :)

Do you ever have those days?

or rather those weeks where you just plain don't have anything to say. I got nothing. There is a lot going on and very little all going on at the same time.

And every time I try to think of something to write about... I think... nope. I am just rather uninspired, I suppose. And to me, that's kind of sad.

I am doing a lot of thinking about how lucky and how blessed I am. As many are doing, we are all praying for Stellan who is fighting for his life at the young age of 4 month's. But I think about all of the amazing things this little angel has done. He has joined millions of people around the world together in prayer. How magnificent is THAT? And it seems to be working. God is hearing our prayers. Now, now is the time to pray that they find the right concoction of medicines to grant his little heart a reprieve from it's SVT rhythm which is plaguing him. And pray that his family continues to stay strong and healthy.

Every time I try to vear from this train of thought though, I am brought back. Which I suppose is why I am rather uninspired to write... and I can usually find something to talk about. But, quite moments are good too, right? Do you ever have those times where you just don't feel like talking? Don't feel like writing? Don't feel like communicating? I kind of just feel like "being". Soaking it all in. Listening.

Jason is leaving for Matagorda this weekend which will leave Joey and I alone at home. Mom was going to come up, and she may still... but it's looking less likely... and as much as I always want to see her... the alone time might be nice too. Time for Joe and I to just... be... together.

Fort Worth Botanic gardens

Blessings

So... on another blog I read the author was talking about things we are grateful for... blessings... praises... and I really have so much to be grateful for. Most of it is very very predictable... :) Joe... duh... :) My friend Melissa (whom I hadn't seen for two years) came over the other night for dinner and it was just so great to get to visit with her. She took this picture and although I think I look TIRED... it's a picture I am happy with. :)


I think a very precious thing is the love of a dog by it's boy! Murphey is just a champ! She puts up with EVERYTHING from Joe. He pulls on her ears. Sticks his fingers in her mouth. Grabs her tail and rides her like a horsey! He also loves on her ad nauseum and wakes up signing DOG.

In return... Joe feeds her. Murph gets a little taste of everything Joe eats. Simple arrangement but it works for them. :) I am quite sure that Joe is one of Murphey's all time favorite people!


Melissa took to Joe right away and he (after a little bit of prodding) started flirting with her. They played peek aboo... they tickled and a bit of chase thrown in for good measure. I do admit though that she really wanted to take my dog home. Not a chance BUDDY! :)


And of course we had to show off WITH our vacuum and our monkey. Double fisting it. :)

I am also grateful for my husband. He is good to me, good to us. He gets up every morning and opens the office so that I can sleep in. Granted, I am up with Joe most nights at some point or another... but this arrangement works for us. :)

Baby Giggles... nuff said there.

the food network. I love it. It is a guilty pleasure and I watch it all weekend long and when Joey wakes up in the middle of the night, I watch it then too. I love new recipes... I love new ideas and I just plain love the Food Network. :)
A good book. I never seem to have enough time to read anymore... but I do love me a good book. :) Memories. I am so grateful for the wonderful memories I have made. Not many people can say that they have experienced all that I have and the memories I have locked into my little brain and my heart... man... the friends I have made, the people I have met. In a word... Amazing.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

So... since Joe was home sick last week... (again)... I brought him upstairs while I went through his clothes. I sorted and decided which ones I could give to goodwill and which ones I might want to sell. :) And Jason took the opportunity to take a pic that I just thought was precious. :)



And we don't have many of our furbaby but this one of her clutching her ball... nuzzling it in fact was too cute to pass up. :)


And Friday was jammy day at Daycare. Joe was NOT all about jammy day. Poor little guy... but you do get a GREAT view of his teeth. :)

he did cheer up shortly after I left though. :) good thing, huh? Also pictured is (from above joe to right): Derek, Carter, Chase, Eliott and Alex. :)

I don't have any St. Patricks pictures... but it's St. Patricks Day and I'm writing. :) So... I hope that you have the luck of the irish today and all year long. :)

Toddler... for sale on ebay.

One good toddler for sale. Already comes with shots and is in reasonably good health. Loves cuddles and hugs. Has been known for the occasional temper tantrum and whining.

Likes to play with lawn mower ... baby lawn mower of course. Oh yeah and LOVES the vacuum. So helpful... oh is he helpful. Has been known to mop even.
Has some sleep issues when sleeping alone. But if sleeping plastered to your side...well then that's okay. Only kicks a little.

Gives kisses... oh the sweet kisses.

Dances... loves any type of music.

Has a GREAT sense of humor and loves long walks in the park.

Ok... maybe not for sale.

There is no price you can put on the love of a child, is there? :)

Me and my big boy bed.

Daddy, Paw Paw... can I help. :)

Cute pic of my new hair cut. Sure is short.

My new big boy bed.
yep,... that's mom's snoogle. maybe she can convince me it feels like her. Does she think I'm stoopid?

Like Father Like Son

So, I got Joe's hair cut yesterday and I hate it. I hate it I hate it I hate it!

It's way too short and he doesn't look like my baby anymore. :(
I am so sad!


So this morning we awakened... and had pancakes. I stole this idea from my friend Katie. Isn't it cute? :)


and then Joe was sitting with daddy while Gammy and I cleaned up the dishes. And this is what I saw... and it struck me... I may hate his hair cut but man... does he look like his daddy now! And that's cute! :)



and to make it doubly sad for me... he's moving into a big boy bed tonight. :( Insert big crocodile tears here. I found a bunk bed on line... brand new... Brazilian Hardwood double on bottom, twin on top with a trundle too. All three mattresses are new and high quality...
and they are being delivered today. I am so sad. I made Jason put the crib up in the other bedroom "just in case". :-D
I'll post pictures when it's in and set up.

my big boy is growing up! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Got a facelift. :)

So... I got the new blog background from Cutest blog on the block... but the new header is 100% from my friend Meg.... she makes the cutest invitations and christmas cards...

:)

so I wanted to give her a shout out... her blog is to the right... "peck Family Blog".