life as we know it

Small Successes.


You know, I never actually did one of these, because I never felt qualified enough as a mom to do them.  But today I will.

1. I handed in my thesis on Monday to my advisor and am awaiting his final edits. Some of which finally just came this morning.  One step closer!

2. I got Ben out of his anti-crib mode by putting a super fluffy blanket over his crib sheet to sleep on. It's not loose so it won't add to SIDS at least not IMO.  Anyway, I am glad to have my own space in my bed again.

3. I finally got the baby backpack about 90% of the way to perfectly fitting on my back.  I was such a Bjorn girl for the last 7 months that this new device was flustering me greatly.  Thus even though something has the most excellent reviews doesn't mean it will be super easy to maneuver.

4. I ran twice this week, which was something I had been avoiding for a while, not sure why except for the foot issues.  Anyway, something about running in the cold gives that extra dose of runner's high/energy.

So those are them.  I hope you all are well, and I guess I should add the little logo for this, and if I wasn't lazy today then I would.  Take care. I would love to hear a small success for you as well!

a day for a date

Since having Ben, actual dates with my husband have been limited.  But that is okay and I understand that this season in life is like this.  Little ones take a lot of your time, and that is okay cause its done in love.  We are trying to get them to heaven in the long run and if we aren't present there with them a lot of times teaching them, how will they learn?

Anyway, the point is that yesterday my husband and I did actually get to go on a date, and it was really nice.   In some ways, it felt like we were newly dating back as young 21 and 22 year olds.  It was almost surreal in that aspect yesterday.  It was like here we are as a couple, without others, just us.  And this wasn't our first post-Ben date, but for some reason it felt different than the other ones.  Maybe I finally was less worried about the little one, because we have a well established routine, or maybe it was just that it was really well need to have us time.  Whatever it was, there was a good vibe going on all around.

So on this date, first my husband got me flowers from one of our local florists.  A handpicked bouquet nonetheless, I was impressed.  I should take a pic of it and post it here.  In fact, I think I will.

So being given flowers and him actually putting them in a vase, we headed out to lunch at a restaurant more downtown from where we live in the city called Bricco.  The food was excellent, and the atomosphere just right.  We discussed personas on social media for a while and just had fun.

Afterward, we ventured on a walk to Cafe-Ah-Roma, and got coffee, one of our favorite things to do, at one of our favorite places.  Then we strolled around Cleveland State University, because that was where we were at.  Oddly, they have done a lot to the place and it was a pretty nice looking campus with a lot of nice new architecture and hidden walkways that make you feel like you aren't so consumed in city.

The one silly mishap on our date was that Keith backed into another car in the parking lot and left a nice dent in the driver side door.  A big whoops.  We left a note and are still looking to hear from the guy that  was hit. Hopefully nothing bad comes from it.

And that was it, simple and nice minus the mishap.  So I ask you the reader, have you had any nice dates with your husband or signficant other lately?

7 quick takes lazy late Saturday edition

1. Our family came down with a cold, well at least Keith and I did, so we have been kind of out of it for the past 2 weeks or so.  I haven't gotten sick since last fall, so I guess I was due for another cold.

2. My mom came up to help with Ben this past week as I did some super paper editing.  Can I say I love that she is retired now and gets to help us girls out with our children much more than she used to be able to with her teacher gig.  It was a great help having her here.  I wish I could clone her so that she could be with my dad in PA, me in OH and my sister in TN all at the same time cause she's that useful and supportive.

3. I actually decorated for Halloween/fall.  I have light up jack-o-laterns that are awaiting a home since my husband decided its a good time to repaint the front of the house, and pumpkins inside, and a pumpkin on the door.  I guess I could do more than pumpkins, but that is what I have so for now that will do.

4. I am currently reading the last Harry Potter book.  Since Dumbledore died in the 6th book, I'm not sure what to think of this 7th book.  I feel like he kinda kept the story going cause he was the ultimate good guy.  But I will press on towards the end.  Sorry for the spoiler to those have not read it yet.

5. Ben's been pulling himself up on things, including a dresser, his walker, his playpen, and the dishwasher.  Next to tackle the coffee table, well, unless we have to move it so he doesn't crack his skull open on it.  Who knows.  If only I could get himself to figure out how to get up into a sitting position we would be good.  This kid seems to be doing it all backwards.  Oh well, we love him anyway.  lol.

6. I've been wondering about daylight savings time and children's bed times and if anyone has good advice on it.  I am totally not an early riser if I don't have to be.  So I kind of want to see if I can move his bed time back, to adjust for time change.  Is this something worth doing?  Or will he be non-compliant?

7. We've been volunteering to pray outside an abortion performing clinic with the 40 days for life folks.  The first time I went with Ben it hit me a little deeper than I thought it would because I was in my own backyard instead of DC. And for some reason that made it that more real.  Oddly, I haven't seen anyone go in for an appt yet, probably because we are praying when its closed, but our prayers aren't wasted right?   We always take Ben along, maybe his cuteness will convert hearts as well.

Goodnight and good luck.

a quick note

Sorry, I haven't written a real post in a while.  Things are in full fledge editing mode of the thesis and prior to that we had visitors with a rocky sleep schedule which left little time for blogging.  Nonetheless, I hope to put up a real post once this round of edits are through.  I hope you are all doing well, and that you are enjoying the first few days of fall.  I know I am. I love my fall wardrobe especially, probably because its when I can pull off jeans and a hoodie and be completely comfortable.  I am sure those of you in the south are thinking I am crazy for being able to wear more than shorts and short sleeves right now, but thats ok.  You will get this weather later when we have our crazy winters up here (though winter is another season that I love).

Anyway, the husband, the little Ben and I are presently all doing well, and hoping (and praying!) to continue this good sleep pattern as of late. But as Jordana says, kids are tyrants (or is it masochists?) and change their minds all the time with their sleep patterns.

If you want to read an excellent post about birth and such, by the lovely Arwen. Then click here. Arwen's ABC family Blog

a year older

This crazy girl turned a year older last Monday...

And now on to bigger and better things in the year to come...

Or at least we can hope. :)'

okay with me

The little one needed his mama to rock him to sleep this afternoon.  And you know what it was okay with me.  It's a rare occasion these days that I get to do that with him. He seems to want to be bigger than he is all the time.  And oddly enough sometimes I want him to be.  I guess it goes with the territory, but I really don't want to miss out on the sweet moments that remind me of that newborn that now are rare treats as a good sized infant. So we will let him be big when he wants to be, but he can be small too sometimes so his mama doesn't forget to love him with extra hugs.

A pic of the little one wanting to be big trying to stand and grab.

lazy today

Well at least internet wise.  I did clean the house and grocery shop today.

So Ben turned 6 months old a week ago, and since then we have been having fun with him wanting to pull up constantly.  Here's a current pic for you all from our trip to the grocery store today. It was his first time sitting in the grocery cart, and he seemed to love it.