Eh......

Meet my new best friend, and worst enemy.......

After a few months of gentle suggestions, Justin started some serious researching, and we decided on this eliptical. We debated between a treadmill and an eliptical but decided you could get more eliptical for your money. We've had it about a month now, and I love it. We have it in the garage (in front of Justin's work bench, obviously). There is a TV in there, or it works great to hold a book, so 30 minutes goes by quick. 

Ready for Christmas

For the first time in my adult life, we are spending Christmas at HOME! Being married is one thing, but having a child really makes you want to start your own traditions. I asked all the girls at work about their families Christmas traditions and got some good ideas. We'll work on our own, this is just a trial year. Kiddo is too young to remember anyway, so we'll just practice this time around.Some things I would like to do, but I think we will wait at least until next year (like the Springfield Christmas parade....perhaps sounds ghetto, but is supposed to be pretty cool). Other things that I would like to do, but wasn't in the cards as far as traveling. There are some things in Coos Bay that are fun for Christmastime, like the lights at Shore Acres, and the extravagant miniature trains and town set up at the fire station. He might have actually enjoyed those things this year. Anyway, we will start simple and build from here.

Thad helping with the tree

Putting up lights

T is a good helper. Not.

The tree! Note that there are no lights or ornaments withing 2 feet of the ground.

Mini tree! 5 bucks at Goodwill, it's the Duck tree!

Advent calendar made by Justin's mom. Each day you add a star to the tree.

Stockings hung by the chimney with care. Made by mom, who has the smallest one.

Front room, sparkling snowflakes in the window.

The finished product, nice job Justin.

Something Old, Something New

Dad recently bought my mom a giant new wedding ring. They have been married for 36 years, I'm not really sure what bee got in his bonnet, but all of a sudden he was shopping for a giant new rock and got it for her. He does have prostate cancer, but is low grade and low cells and supposedly going to be very treatable (surgery is happening in January). I don't know if that has had an impact on him and has made him want to do stuff for my mom, but regardless, she got a sweet new ring. Strangely enough, she already had 2 rings. Her original ring was too small after she had kids, and rather than get it sized (like a normal person), dad bought her a new ring. When she got her NEW new ring, she gave me one of her old ones. (Yes, I asked for it....it would have just sat in her bathroom drawer for years if I hadn't). These people aren't that old, but between the two of them, they honestly couldn't remember which was the original ring. Who knows. I just picked the one I like the best. It was totally smashed, the band was all bent up (mom is not easy on jewelry apparently). I took it to a jeweler, he straightened it, sized it (thanks for the giant hands, mom and dad), got it re-plated and the diamond prongs redone. I love it. My wedding ring is silver, mom's is gold, and my mom's and my rings are the only ones I wear, so they don't match, but I really like wearing it. It's pretty, it makes me feel like I am carrying on something from my parents.

Mommy's Helper

Thad really likes to help me keep our house clean and organized, just how I like it. 

He is such a good helper. Honestly, one of the things that was really hard for me to get used to as a mom is the acceptance of clutter. At first, I would follow him around picking up the trail of toys. And the pile/basket/stack of baby toys in every corner of our house first bothered me quite a bit. Now I try to look at it as a way to make my life easier. Anything that helps keep him occupied is a positive in my book. It goes against my natural instincts, but things change.

Turkey Day

Long time no blog. Where shall we start? How about Thanksgiving. The simultaneously dreaded and looked forward to holiday. At heart, I love Thanksgiving. Mostly, I think, because of the food involved. There is something homey and comforting about a meal that consists of things that you put gravy on and apple pie. The plan was to head to my parents house along with pretty much every. single. member. of my family including grandparents, and aunt and uncles (even a great uncle!), not to mention all my siblings and their spouses. All in all, about 20 people. Somewhat overwhelming, but still fun at the same time. 

Aunt Megan helping Ashlyn and Thad

Uncle Seth

The Whole Clan!

Mommy and my boy

Great Grandparents

The car ride was not as awful as I expected, although I feel like we made it there in the nick of time. Thad got to play with his sweet little cousin Ashlyn. She wasn't real impressed with his skills, a year makes a pretty big difference at their age, but she did let him push her around on the lion toy. (Which we got to bring home with us. Suh-weet! He loves pushing it, and it's pretty humorous to see those little legs going).

Pro Tailgater!

Well, we did it. We took Thad to a Duck game. And, I have to say that it was pretty successful. Thad had a great time in the back of the Explorer, peeking at everyone over the tailgate. He even took a nap back there. (Just for maybe 30 minutes, but still!)

I

I got really nervous when we headed into the stadium, he was all wrapped up in his fleece camo bunting (bunting? I don't know, it's something you put over her clothes) and we had ear phone things for him to wear. (Autzen is known for its decibel level, which was one of my big worries). He did great, got a little fussy before halftime, but ended up falling asleep, and we were planning on leaving at halftime anyway. Each time we successfully complete an outing, it gives me more confidence that we can lead an actual life. Next up, lunch with a friend on Monday, then the big one...dum dum DUM...a car ride and over night trip to Grandma and Grandpas for Thanksgiving. I'm scared. :)

1st Halloween!

We didn't really DO anything for Halloween this year. A lot of things I am looking forward to doing with Thad, but feel like they require the ability to walk before they will really be enjoyable for him. We got pumpkins from the grocery store. We'll go to the pumpkin patch next year. Lately, I have been feeling like we should make more of an effort to do stuff. I think he has me a bit paranoid because I have not forgotten our first couple of months. We had an awesome day yesterday though, which included a trip to the library and to Walmart. He was really happy the whole time, and being a goofball. It was fun. Anyway. I digress. Halloween. Grandma C had bought him some cute striped PJ's, and I was planning on just wearing PJ's all day for Halloween. But, when we did our annual last minute trip to the thrift store to make Justin's costume, I saw a fluffy lion costume for 5 bucks that I couldn't pass up. Note to self: he does not appreciate being dressed as a lion. 

He does not seem to be bothered by wearing orange and black, which is a bit concerning to me. (We are a green and yellow family, get with it kid!)

But what he REALLY loves, is to stand up. He pulls himself up on anything he can get his hands on, and wiggles his little tush around trying to stay stable. It's great fun. At least until he looses his balance and whacks his head on the floor. Then it's no fun for anyone.