Past months of reading

I finished another book several months ago upon recommendation of my sister. Ten Green Bottles by Vivian Kaplan. It was so very well written--at times, one was in danger of believing that the story was a fictional account rather than the true biography of a Jewish girl during WWII. She and her family escaped Austria and settled in China and then escaped China for Canada eventually. It is a fascinating account and although horrific, it is delicately handled and sheds light on a different side of the Nazi occupation (as well as the Commies in China).
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. A great place to start as a couple in praying for your kiddos. Like her many other well-known books, this book is application combined with loads of Scripture to pray over your child(ren).
Another book enjoyed after reading a blurb about it in a magazine. One Week Job Project by Sean Aiken. It is the true story of a college grad who went in search of his career passion by holding a different job every week for a year. The lessons he learned are interesting and the insight into different jobs fascinating.
Time for a good reminder of how to be Michael's best helpmeet-Blessing Your Husband by Debra Evans. It is a good practical application of different ways to bless our spouse. I appreciated the practical application bullet points at the end of each chapter. Each chapter also ends with further reading, scripture, application prayers, a blurb from a husband about his wife's blessing, and a recap of the chapter. All in all, a good set-up for a girl's Bible study. (probably starting in Jan. with our class).
Now, I only have 3-4 more books on my nightside table to be finished! :) (including one that has taken me close to a year to finish) More on those later...

Our annual greeting

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

hard evidence

that my baby is indeed a chatterbox. (filmed at 7:00 am while he was still in his crib)

Translation: "oh, no, mommy, the wheel is broken."

Translation: "rubber ducky, you're the one..."

a week of birthdays

When I was young, I used to celebrate my birthday for several successive days; I thought those days were done as an adult. In fact, my birthday seems not too important anymore. However, this year we have done a little celebrating...

• Friday--night at at Red Robin and Baskin Robbins (free coupons)
• Saturday--mom brought home yummy sushi and italian cream cake for my actual birthday
• Tuesday--I went to La Madeleine to redeem my free pastry
• Wednesday--I redeemed more coupons for a sandwich at Jason's Deli. Michael took my free sub at Schlotzky's.
• Thursday--went to Benihana's for dinner (redeemed another free meal coupon)
• Friday--redeemed coupon for Jackpot Pizza.

All of which were birthday coupons/free meals--still have TCBY, Coldstone Creamery, IHOP, Sweet Tomatoes, Panera, and Starbucks left to redeem.

"Messy...yucky...boohoo...messy blanket"

This is what greeted us this morning upon arriving into the crying little boy's room.

I think he was most upset by the extremely dirty blanket he had, or perhaps it was the taste of lavender lotion in his mouth? (greasy hair, on all toys, floor, crib, wall, sheets, blankets--at least the room does not smell like dirty diapers!)

PS: the lotion was a completely full, unopened bottle. My monkey (how aptly he was dressed) managed to get it from a basket on the other side of the changing table, remove the lid, take off the silver foil security tab, and squeeze it everywhere!

Ode to a Floor Arch

How you have gone the extra mile to entertain my baby!

Morning and Evening and Naptime too, we hear music coming from you as his little fingers reach through the crib slats to push your buttons.

Sometimes he dances, sometimes he sways, sometimes he just lays and sucks his thumb, but always your job is never done (even at the end of your "long mode" 5-minute music rendition.) Time to push the button and enjoy it all over again!

Sometimes you even fare being pulled over the side of the crib and into the sleeping quarters of a very happy baby.

Krogers Mega Days

I showed my mom the ropes of couponing and was able to purchase all these items a few days ago at Krogers (during Mega Days) for $2.10.

the highs and lows

David, you are 27 months today. This month was definitely full of highs and lows. I can finally understand the mothers in the midst of terrible 2s or 3s, but just as quickly, the next instant my little boy will be as sweet and loveable as can be. What a volatile roller coaster this is!

Some of the difficult moments can be traced back to naptime. You often decide to boycott naptime for 2-3 days straight but often end up cranky in the evening or the next morning due to being too tired. Eventually, after a day or two of good naps again, my easy-going, cheerful boy returns.

I think you must have taken a bit of a hiatus from growing momentarily (probably fine since you are sooo tall for your age). Food is just not as important to you anymore. Mealtime can take 30 minutes just to eat a little bit of food or often be pushed away untouched. Your current favorite though (other than PB&J)? You would have done well to grow up in Africa or much of Asia. You adore beans and rice (and I add a bit of cheese too). In fact, you even pushed away mac and cheese one day (often another favorite) in exchange for kidney beans and chick peas.

Your favorite toys are still cars of all types, hands down!!! I find matchbox cars all over the house, in pockets, and under rugs. You still like to read (especially the books about cars or trucks). You still like to golf. But cars have almost all your attention.

Oh, that, and music... You adore music! Just like your Daddy, you would be happy to listen to music all day. When I awake in the morning, I most often hear you pushing the buttons to the baby arch that plays songs. As soon as one song ends, you push the button for the next one. You will lie on the floor and play with your learning house by just pushing the music buttons. You still play with your leapfrog table by just pushing the buttons for the music and standing and listening. You enjoy singing too, but most often just ask Mommy and Daddy to sing to you. Your favorite is "Jesus" (better known as Jesus Loves Me, sung every bedtime and some), but any song will quiet you down.

You love to go bye-bye...often going into a temper tantrum if we tell you we are not going anywhere right now. Funny how times have changed (remember when you used to scream non-stop in the car at 4 months old????)

Your speech is developing but still often a string of unintelligeable sentences, punctuated by a word or two that we understand. This rarely seems to bother you as you just keep talking away constantly. My favorite current phrase is "up y down" for "upside down." You are quick to say please and thank you now. You have also reminded us more than a few times to pray half-way through your meal. (how convicting!) I love how you raise your hands and declare "Ameeeeeen!!! when we are done.

Gram ("Goom") and Gdaddy came to visit this month. (along with your favorite, Button!)

So quick to cuddle and give hugs now. So full of emotion. What a wonderful gift our Father gave us in you!

PS in the middle of the month, you did get a much-needed haircut...accounting for the difference in curls.

dating on the cheapside

Yesterday night, Michael and I celebrated my birthday by taking advantage of Parent's Night Out at the church. Here is the breakdown:

• childcare = $8 for 6:30-9:45
• dinner at Red Robin (I had a free burger coupon)= $15 including tip for both of us
• Thomas the train beginner's set (to add to D's set he already owns)+ghiradelli double chocolate brownie mix (an expensive splurge at 1.99) = $4.68 (after 50% Target coupon and $10 off manny coupon)
• Baskin Robbins one scoop of peach/rasberry in sugar cone (free birthday coupon) = $0
• two t-shirts from Academy (on clearance + $5 birthday gift card) = $3ish
• ice cream from Krogers (on sale plus $.40 ecoupon) = $1.87
• night of watching free netflix at home while munching on brownies/ice cream after picking up David and putting him to bed = PRICELESS

Anyone who knows me, knows I had just as much fun with this date as an-over-the-top-no-expenses-barred-dinner-at-Perry's-movie-etc...date.

the week I popped

Baby Girl is still hiding compared to David at this same point in the pregnancy, but I definitely have noticed a distinct difference in these past 1-2 weeks. I am now 23 weeks and suddenly not fitting many of my pants. People have begun to notice that there is a pooch and start wondering whether it is baby or just me missing the gym for a few weeks (perhaps another reason I have just started showing :) ).

Now to document the change...(and don't let the work-out clothes fool you! :) )

I don't want to grow up

How perfectly suited the little Peter Pan outfit was to our munchkin on Sunday! (this past week he has reverted to babyhood with insisting that I feed him, hold him, life full of temper tantrums etc...)

Sunday, however, we had a sweet little boy whose eyes were extra blue and sparkly in his little Peter Pan outfit.

David rode in style in the wagon.

He thought the fire engine was fascinating and enjoyed taking the driver's seat.

And did enjoy the carousel ride even though we soon learned the zebra was stationary.

David was in wonder at our friends Sean and Katie as he looked with suspicion on Sean's Star Wars regalia.

David particularly loved the lollipops, at one point having one in each hand and one in his mouth.