Some Assembly Required

Payton really wanted to put together Maxwell's "bike" that he got from Auntie Tiffany for his birthday. So Matt decided that today was the day and they got started. And Maxwell wanted to help too. Before long, from the kitchen, I hear "Where is that bit?" "Maxwell, no tools!" "Honey, can you please help me?!"
I suppose the nice thing to do would have been to stop taking pictures and laughing and get the boys away, but I just couldn't. So here are the boys "helping" Daddy build the bike. Ahhh...I just love Daddy-time!

My big lil' man

It occurs to me that I have been focused on Maxwell turning one so much lately, that I haven't really talked about Payton, my 4.5 yr old son.

He is so bright. He's the light of my day, most days. ;) He is so smart and such a well mannered boy. I wish I know what I did to make him turn out so well because I would be doing it with Maxwell too.

Payton always wants to help. He puts away groceries, cleans up messes, puts away his laundry, helps empty the dishwasher...and he gets upset if he's NOT able to help. He is always looking out for his baby brother and makes sure that Max has something to play with or something to eat when he does.

He says the most amazing things sometimes and I'm in awe of the things he thinks of. He knows his bible stories better than some adults and he is learning to quote scripture. He loves going to church and school and does so very well at both.

He's a clutz (see the scar between his eyes...and there's another one under his chin). He doesn't walk very well and falls a lot still, even though he's almost 5. He just doesn't pick up his feet and tries to walk too fast I think. Through all that, he's determined though. When he falls or hurts himself, he says "I know I'm ok!" and rarely cries.

He loves to play the Wii, do puzzles, read books and is amazing at the computer. He loves video games like Putt-Putt and I Spy. He's anxious to learn to read and I think he will be reading by fall.

So that's my lil' man in a nutshell. I love him. I'm so glad he was my first born. And I wouldn't trade him for anything...most days.

He's a year now.

We had Maxwell's first birthday party yesterday. It was a great success. 35 family and friends came to my inlaw's home for a dinner of chili and great fun. We had a home filled with balloons and decorations. I made a cute cake, but nothing like I normally make. But cute none the less. Maxwell LOVED having his own cake to eat. He slowly picked off all the frosting and then ate the cake by the fist full.



I loved having so many of our friends there. It's so nice to have friends who have kids the same age. Our godson came over and loves playing with Payton. And my college roommate came over with her sister and their kids. It really was a special day, being able to hang out with so many friends and all Matt's family as well.

We really missed all our brothers though. Unfortunately none of them were able to make it this year. I know it's hard because none of them are local to Toledo and are spread all along the coast really. We missed you Loren, Jason, Damon, Jason & Jeff. We hope to see you really soon.

Another great party has passed. Now, to focus on Payton's birthday party in April. He wants a Mario Bros. party...if anyone has any ideas, let me know!

already?!

My lil' baby will be one in less than 2 days. I can't believe it. I feel like it was just yesterday that I just found out I was pregnant for the 2nd time! BAM! Now he's almost walking, he speaks 5 words, he has a sense of humor, his own personality....when did all this happen?!
How did it come to be that I ended up with another baby? Oh yeah. Thanks to my two best friends, Tiffany & Christine. I'm a sucker for peer pressure.

I guess because I know that we'll never have another, this is really hard for me. I'm not an emotional person, but I will cry over this, I'm sure. He's just...such a .... little being of perfection. Annoying, stubborn, just like his momma, perfection!

The years ahead of me will be challenging. This little man will for sure go to blows with me about anything that doesn't go his way. He will push my buttons and then watch for a reaction I'm sure. He will be the one to give me grey hairs and test my patience.

But for now, I will enjoy the small battles of wiping his nose, changing his diaper and telling him "no" every 45 seconds. Because I know that these battles will so be replaced by battles that don't end with a hug from mommy that makes everything better again.

My inlaws

They really are a blessing in my life. Most people I know don't get a long with their inlaws, but sometimes, I think my inlaws are easier to get along with than my own family. My Father-in-law told someone once, "She is the daughter we always wanted." Do you know how special that makes a girl feel??!!

I'm sick today. My lil' babe is sick today. My loving husband, knowing he was working 12 hour shifts the next 4 days and won't be home to help, called his dad this morning and asked him to come get our 4.5 yr old. And my father-in-law did. Willingly. Happily at that. He actually asked if he could take them both! Now if that lil' babe wasn't nursing every 2-3 hours while he's sick, I surely would have sent him too!

I'm so lucky to have inlaws that care about me and my family so much that they would inconvenice themselves for 3 days to care for my son so I can recover from my sickies.

So proud of myself!!

I have made so many dietary changes in my life in the last 10 days! I am so very proud of myself. I haven't eaten fast food in a week. I am careful about what goes into my body. I guage my hunger logically and am learning to NOT eat because I feel like I want something, but only because I'm hungry.

I'm doing great! I actually wish I had a scale to see what I've lost!

It helps that all my friends are on the same boat and happy to be there! Support is what it's all about.

Blessed

I often attend church by "myself" because of Matt's work schedule. I really have the boys with me, but because of their programs/nursery, I sit by myself. Usually I feel ackward since we've only been attending this church about 4 months and have yet to make friends or even really meet anyone.

But, today, I was touched by God. The music was picked for me. The message, just for me. Everything spoke directly to me. (And made better by the fact that Maxwell didn't have to leave the nursery, for the first time since we started going.)

I feel my spirit renewed. 2008 will be a big year of change for me. I can feel it coming. Spiritually. Physically. Mentally. Financially. Every aspect of my life, I know, will be touched by God if I can tune in and listen to what he has to say to me.

I had resolutions for 2008. But they basically can be summarized by saying that I will try my very best to listen for God's plan for my life.

Apparently it's not my diet...

I just have to get my fat butt moving to lose weight!

I've only tracked my diet for 48 hours, but thus far, I'm pretty darn impressed with myself. I don't overeat like I thought. I make good choices. And I understand serving size. Plus the 300-500 extra calories I get for nursing...

So it must not be my diet that stops me from losing weight. I guess I just have to get back to exercising and get myself moving. Thank the Lord for Comcast On Demand exercise videos. Means I don't ever have to leave the house and I can still get in 30-60 minutes of exercise each day! WOOHOO!!

Wish me luck....again.

honesty is my best & worse virtue

I have always told my friends that I'm honest. And it's true. brutely honest. That is something some people can't deal with, and I understand that. But if you ask me to tell you the truth, or ask my opinion on something, you'll get it. You might not like it, but you'll get it.

So when a friend of mine, knowing my honesty level, asked what I thought of a situation, I told her. Honestly. That she was f-ing up her situation and maybe she should look around and see why she had so much drama in her life and why it seemed she was the one who was always right.

She should have expected it. She asked and we've been friends for 4 years, so it's not like she didn't know it was coming from me.

But she didn't want to hear it. She wasn't ready. I hope she thinks on it a few days and comes back and says "Thanks. I'm glad you didn't sugar coat it and tell me it was everyone else's problem like my other friends do."

I hope I don't lose her. But if I do, I hope she remembers what I told her was only the truth and that I loved her enough to tell it to her.

Christmas is over

We took down the decorations today.
Took down the ornaments and the tree.
The snowglobes have all been packed up in their styrofoam and boxes.
The cards have all been taken down off the wall and the stockings packed back up neatly.

It's a relief that it's over. But now what? I feel like it's such a let down when the decorations come down and the house is "empty". My 4.5 yr old said today "It's just a boring house again now, mommy." :( Yes, it is.

Good bye Christmas...until next Halloween. teehee.