Random Wednesday. This and That.

Just some things on this Wednesday.

I miss blogging.  I am trying to blog more.  Hence this post.

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I can’t believe there are less than two weeks till Christmas. Nope. Cannot.  Believe. It.  Perhaps since we have had unseasonably warmer weather and things have been soooo busy, I just haven’t thought about the fact that Christmas is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!  I have a few things bought, but still have a bunch more shopping to do.  Christmas cards are printed but not addressed & mailed.  The Christmas tree is up and spinning, but there is nothing on it.  I have not even thought about dinners, brunches, or snacks for Christmas weekend.  Yep, I think it is safe to say I am 100% NOT ready for Christmas.  I am sure no one will mind if they get their cards after Christmas or if we sit around a plain white tree Christmas morning and open presents that are still in the shopping bag and eat chips and dips?!  And then I think, actually....they wouldn't mind.  That is the great thing.  The ones who love you don't care about all the little details that we put so much unnecessary pressure on ourselves to try to make "perfect".   I know my family wouldn't care and Henry, well he thinks that plain white spinning tree is the most amazing thing ever.  And I also know the memories we make with him over the years are not going to involve having everything picture perfect but will rather be things that involved us together and laughing and things not going so perfect!  Now that doesn't mean that I am not going to try to get stuff done, but I am going to try to calm down a bit and not put so much pressure on myself or this time of year.

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We bought new cell phones a couple months back.  My 2008 LG envy just couldn't keep going anymore and finally died.  I knew it was coming, but it was still sad.  At the store I wanted to get just a basic phone…no bells, no whistles, NO internet.  Just a phone that was a PHONE.  What did we walk out of the store with?  A Droid 4 and Droid Razor. Sigh.  The initial cost was cheaper (though still freak’n expensive!) and they managed to get us a plan that was $30 more than what we were paying but had everything.  I still think $30 more is ridiculous.  I actually think the cost for phones and plans are ridiculous, but that is another rant.  However, if one did the smartphone we both had to do it…and so it was.  Two months later and I am still not sure.  Of course I enjoy getting certain apps, uploading photos to social media, and all the fun stuff.  But when it took me TEN minutes to figure out how to make a phone call, well that just annoys me.  And I still have issues with making phone calls and finding people in my contacts.  Thank goodness I hate talking on the phone and I never call anyone.  But come on….IT IS A PHONE not just a device to use for facebook.  The phone part should be the easiest thing to use.  And it isn’t.  And it still bothers me.  I will say that I did opt for a phone with a keyboard even though it was bulkier because I refuse to type on a touch screen.  Anywho, I have finally entered the smartphone era.  If it was up to me, I would still use a rotary phone :)

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Speaking of phone apps, I have been sucked in to Instagram.  When people were using it at first, I thought it was stupid.  Why do you need to post a picture of everything you are doing?!  So of course when I got a smartphone I had to get it.  I can see the appeal to it and I enjoy using it.  I am sure some people over use it, like they do other social media….but it is fun to use!  I do think it has taken away from me wanting to blog.  Why blog, when I can just post a quick picture, huh?!  While that has fit the pace of my life at the moment, I don’t know if I will continue to like that.  I enjoy blogging when I get around to it and I am a wordy person and like to share and like the relations formed through blogging.  It is nice to “heart” something and see pictures of friends, but sharing thoughts and experiences like we do on our blogs is so much nicer and fulfilling.  Now excuse me while I go post a picture of this blog post on Instagram.

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I looooove Christmas music, like I listen to it ALL year round.  And right now I am really loving Cee Lo’s new Christmas CD “Magic Moment”.  It is fun and a bit retro sounding and the Muppets are on one song, so how can you not enjoy it!

…....

Speaking of The Muppets, I wish they would bring The Muppet Show back.  I think it would be fun to have that show on again. mahna mahna

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I would like to admit right here, right now….I am a Made for TV Christmas Movie addict.  There.  I SAID IT.  I have seen a rather embarrassing large number of the Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel this year and I just watched The Mistel-Tones on ABC Family Sunday night.  The movies are highly predictable, cheesy, many have bad acting, and have no real substance to them.  But I LOVE them.  They make me happy and are fun to watch.  I will need rehab when Christmas is over.

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I need to lose weight. Like NEED to now.  I am just unhappy with it and frustrated.  I have been trying and I have a ton of excuses why it isn't working or happening.  But at the end of the day it is just me and not focusing on myself.  I am hoping that things in my life will calm down a bit after the first of the year and I can really focus on weight loss….ON ME.  I am going to start my weight loss blog again to help keep me accountable.  Wish me luck.

.......

I got my hair cut, and while I have heard people say they like it, I think they may just be crazy nice as I am still not sure.  How come we ignore the 10+ compliments from people we know and trust just because we don't want to see what they are seeing?!  sigh.  I got bangs, got my hair shortened and got a few "face framing" highlights.  I think it was too much at one time!!  I think I may like the bangs, but they need to be a little longer.  I am sure in a few weeks they will be better, but right now I look like a 6 year old who took a pair of scissors to their own hair. I also made a mistake letting her cut 3-4 inches off the length.  I think it would be cuter with longer hair.  I also think I want to go with dark red low lights and not highlights.  Live and learn, at least it grows back....and I can wear hats!

(Me before, please note I do not like taking a "real" picture of myself, so I apologize for what you have to see.  The picture on the right is how I wore my hair 95% of the time)

 With bangs, highlights and a shorter cut. blah.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Talk To Me - Calling All Crafty and Creative People! HELP!

So we never really decorated Henry's room.  We have items in his room and went with an animal theme for lots of his stuff, but as for decor or a theme nothing was ever done.  Basically, his room is SO basic!  Nothing on the plain white walls (no, didn't even paint as my sister was living there when he was born) and no real decor.

Since he turned one I have wanted to do something with his room that is more permanent and for him.  I am going with the space/alien theme!  I think we are going to get him a solar system thing that lights up on the wall and we already have stars that we can turn on to light the wall.  However, I want to do some fun things decor wise....and that is where I need you!

I have some vague ideas and am usually pretty creative but honestly between work, home, and just having a brain that feels like mush all the time I just haven't done anything the past few months.  I have had a major creative block!

And as SO many of you are very creative, I thought it never hurt to ask you all to help inspire me so I can have his room done before he leaves for college ;-)

So here is what I have so far.....

* Chalkboard - though I am thinking of taking this back and getting chalkboard paint for a small part of the wall.  Thoughts on chalkboard paint? Thought on a chalkboard in his room?

* Wooden letters of his name that I want to paint in some fun way w/ little wooden space items.  I am not sure how to incorporate these into his room.  Do I hang his name and put those around.  Maybe put the letters in frames with fabric behind.  Maybe put velcro on the back of the space items and make a backdrop that they can stick too?  Make some kind of picture with them of the solar system?!

* Space fabric.  Two different kinds of cotton fabric (on the left).  One is of planets the other of alien robots.  Not sure what to do with these either.  Pillows? use as a backdrop for something?

* Also have alien scrapbook paper (below)

I also thought based on a picture Sassytimes put up where she used felt for a Christmas thing, that I could use felt and make plants that he could move around.

I can draw a bit and paint so I would and could do something that involved that as well.

We want to paint his room a blueish grey, but honestly not sure if or when that will be done based on our schedules.

ANY THOUGHTS/IDEAS?!?!?!  

They would be greatly appreciated :)

A Good Reminder During The Holidays

If you haven't read this story, read it HERE.  Basically, a police officer in New York saw a homeless man sitting outside on a very cold night without shoes and went in to a local shoe store and bought him a nice pair of boots with his own money.  The only reason there is a photo is because a tourist just happened to be out and noticed it and took a picture.  He wasn't doing this for attention, he was doing it out of pure generosity.

I think it is easy this time of year to get caught up in the holidays, the commitments, the running around, doing the things we think we need to do, and losing site of the magnitude and importance of this time of year.

It isn't about giving or getting the biggest, newest or most expensive gift.  It is about reflection, compassion, LOVE, joy, and family & friends. (to name a few things)

Whether or not you believe in the religious aspect of Christmas isn't what is important, it doesn't matter what you believe....but all those things above should still ring true.

If having a child has done anything for me (and it has already done so much) it has made me STOP.

Stop and embrace the little things, the things that he finds so enjoyable and that I have managed to overlook for years.

Stop and think of how would I want HIM to act towards others.  Would I want him to be mean and yell at others or learn to forgive and BE a good person to others.

Stop and relax and enjoy the time we have together and not worry whether or not everything is "perfect".

Stop and help those that need help, whether it is giving someone with no shoes a pair of boots or holding the door open for someone with their hands full. 

Stop and reflect on what this time of year means to you.

I know personally I am going to try really hard to make sure I remember this, not only during the holiday season, but ALL year round. I will admit, it is not always easy.  But whether it is holding the door open for a stranger, offering a kind smile to someone who looks down, helping those less fortunate than yourself, being KIND even when others forget to do so, not rushing all around and losing site of the holidays and overall embracing this time of year and stopping to really enjoy those MOMENTS and the people that I love the most in my life and doing whatever I can to be a better person to those around me..... yes, that is how I want to be.  That is what I want to teach.  

"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid ... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."

"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men."

HDH - 14 ish Months

So, our (not so) little man is about a week and half away from turning 15 months old but he thinks he is two….you know, if he had any concept of age.

So what is he up to?

Well I feel it is better to show you what he is like as you may get a better understanding.

(Some pictures are repeats from other social media sites, but enjoy again!)

First off, he is getting big.  People have asked me how old he is and I say 14 months and their response is usually something like “really, he is only 14 months?!  He seems too big to be only 14 months.”  OK, he is really 14.5 months now :)  I think having a bigger child people expect him to act a certain way if they think he is older than he is and they don't know his real age.  We have had a couple instances like that where I have been asked about things and I let them know how old he is, to which I get an "ooooh, that explains it".  You know, because kids can't develop differently even if they are the same age, right?!  ugh.

 (Uh, who is this child in our house crouched on his bed and watching TV?!)

 (His legs touch the bottom.  When did this happen.)

He just looks so grown up in this picture....sweet baby, where are you going?!

He knows what he wants.  And what he wants is to be on the couch (or anything he can climb on), the remotes, anything electronic, anything out of reach, and anything that is not his.  He also knows he doesn’t want his diaper on anymore and knows how to take it off….and well, an un-potty trained naked kid is not good.

On the couch with his remote...he is such a little man. (He also can turn anything on and finds settings on electronics we didn't know existed...way to go boofy!)

No folding, must climb!

Baby Hulk must push or pull everything.

 (His favorite spot.)

(Standing on his kitchen.  I should probably get him before he gets hurt....eh, it will teach him.)

This outfit is 24 months and tight on him.

He is eating big kid foods and eating all by himself….can you tell?!

He likes to chill when he eats - notice the leg up

He is saying "Cheeeeese" and smiling. Damn, I love him.

He is developing his own style.

His head is a little large for most hats :)

No pants on a train is acceptable, but you must have boots on!

Love this picture!

We love the fo-hawk

My sister's Mickey Mouse ears from when she was little

When making music you need a cool hat.

He is talking…OH HOW HE TALKS.  It may be only a handful of words, but they boy loves to talk. Kitty Cat, hat, Dad, Mom, what’s this, what’s dat (EVERYTHING = “what’s that”), kisses, upstairs, down, cheese, and yes are the most popular and regular words.  He doesn’t say no, only YES.  And it is THE. SWEETEST. Yes I have ever heard someone say.  I ask him stuff just to say yes.

He waves goodbye, blows kisses, gives hugs, gives the best and wettest open mouth kisses EVER, finds his belly and ear, spins, dances, gets stuff you ask him to get,talks on the phone, sticks out his tongue, laughs at things that are funny, and tries to make us laugh.

The "what" face.

On the phone

Where is your belly...

LOVES blocks!

Sticking his tongue out

Giving his kitty hugs....sweet boy

Loves music, books, cheese, mac and cheese, broccoli, baths, trying new foods, getting into everything, being silly, and “tea parties” at 2am….we just call them that as a few nights a week he will wake up and just chat with his all the friends he has in bed.  Doesn’t cry, just talks for awhile and goes back to sleep….it is a tea party.

The only way to chew on your frozen teether.

He heard mommy was a hairy buffalo fruit diving champion....he is practicing

Grandpa taught him to just relax....

I hate feet, so of course I would have a child who not only wants to chew on his own feet, 

but he also will lick my feet if I am not paying attention. eeewwwww.

It is not all rainbows and butterflies up in our house, Terry and I are stubborn and Henry is no different.

He is entering this phase where he wants to do everything himself and gets angry and throws tantrums that involve hitting, throwing himself on the floor, screaming, and once even biting. Sigh.  He gets mad if you help him, if you don’t help him, if you take something away from him, if you don’t let him have something he wants, if you give him something he doesn’t want, if he can't go somewhere in the house by himself, if you don't pick him up to take him with you....come on kid, what do you want?!  I know this is all normal and part of their development....but geesh, it is maddening!  And on top of that attitude we also have more teeth coming in.  Some nights it is so much fun up in our house. Sarcasm noted.

(not a lot of pics of crying, but they usually look like this or with him face down on the floor...or hanging on me and crying.  I sort of think that face is adorable.)

*sneak peek at christmas card photo idea!

Nicknames: Boof (Boofy), Bubby, Buddy, Tiny Tornado, Hank

Why Tiny Tornado?

After knocking over his clean clothes....

....I caught him a few minutes later, after I noticed he was quiet for FAR too long, 

and he had put his clothes in the cat's water fountain.

Don't let this sweet face fool you....because when you have your guard down is when he comes in and causes destruction!!!

Folks, he is just acting so much older.  I LOVE it...I really do!  But it is weird how FAST these little ones grow up.  You blink and they are no longer that tiny and fragile little baby that needed you for everything that you held in your arms so carefully.  Again, I am happy he is getting older.  While age brings other struggles, I do enjoy it.  But geesh, this goes fast! I think I wanted him to be one so much, I wasn't ready for how fast they change after they turn one!

Is that MY child!!

Sweet boy....

PEACE OUT, YO!