Josh and I had a great time in Dallas. James was good in the car, which meant we had some nice alone time, knowing that he was content back there. We met Michael and Jilinda, so it was nice to see them, shopped (window shopped), and then met our good friends for dinner. It's funny how different it is going out to eat now that we all have babies. Friday night, we went to dinner with friends who have a one year old, and Saturday night friends who have a 7 month old and 2 and 1/2 year old. It was craziness, with trying to keep their hands out of food, picking things off of the ground that they dropped, etc., the whole time, and I got to see what my life will be like when James is one and two. I can't believe how much they change each year.
Have I mentioned how much I love 4 months? He has gotten to be so much fun! Even though I miss the sweet little bitty baby face, I love seeing his personality emerge and I'm feeling more adjusted to life with a baby than ever. He is quite the little flirt, making all of the college girls on the row behind us at church laugh. I had to put a paci in his mouth finally, because he was starting to be distracting. He's starting to make new sounds, too, that just melt my heart. We think he's going to have a raspy voice sometimes...who knows?!
This might seem weird, but do any of you ever visualize the months of the year or days of the week in your head in a certain way? When I think about the months of the year, they are ALWAYS in a 3D oval shape. Kinda like you're walking around a track. January is at the top left, and then it goes around the oval counter-clockwise ending back up at the top with December on the top right. I am always sensing where I am on the oval, when I think about the date. Right now I'm rounding the bottom end going up to the right. Before you think I'm crazy, Josh and I were watching Primetime Medical Mysteries (one of our favorite shows this summer), and they had a show on Sensoria (I think that's what it's called), where your senses are mixed up. Everybody had different ones. Some people tasted things and saw a certain shape with each flavor. Some people saw a color with each note they heard. It always ran in the family, too. Sisters would have the same problem, although they didn't see it as a problem. They wouldn't have had it any other way. Then they had a girl on who saw the days of the week out in space. I think they called it spacial mapping, but anyway, I started flipping out, because I experience the same thing, but with months! I asked Josh if he did that, and he said no. Then I told Elizabeth, and she told me that she did the same thing, but hers went clockwise. I couldn't believe it! Of course, then we argued over which way was right, which mine is...but, it's crazy how we're sisters and have the same one, just like on the show! I just thought I'd share this and see if there's anyone else out there who experiences this. They say that everyone's brains are capable of associating certain colors with sounds, shapes, with sounds and tastes, etc., but those parts of most of our brains are not developed. Crazy stuff!
My Life. My Boys.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Some of my favs
Thank you for writing those recipes! I hope all of you benefited from that, too. Here are 3 recipes that I love. This first one is probably my favorite. I like it hot the first day and cold the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Sombrero Pasta Salad
1 pkg, spiral pasta
1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 large green pepper chopped
1 med. onion chopped
1 med. tomato chopped
1 bottle (16 oz) Catalina dressing
Cook pasta; cook beef and then simmer with onion, pepper, and taco seasoning; combine everything in a big bowl. (If you use whole wheat pasta, it's always better the next day, because the pasta's so dense...learned that the hard way)
Taco Soup
http://littlebitslife.blogspot.com/2006/08/this-and-that.html
My sister just typed this out at the bottom of this post.
We make this about every week in the fall
Salmon and Spinach with Bacon
Prep time: 10 min. (so easy!!)
Cooking time:10 min.
Serves 4
(I didn't like spinach until I tried this. We got this recipe from our grocery store, which gives out awesome recipes all of the time.)
1 pound fresh Salmon Fillets
2 teaspoons Adams Reserve House All Purpose Rub
5 Tablespoons Canyon Foods Bacon Vinaigrette
1 Tablespoon white wine or rice wine vinegar
Feta cheese crumbles, optional
1 bag fresh spinach leaves, size of your choice, stems removed
1. Heat oven to 450 degrees
2. Cut salmon unto 4 portions; place on baking sheet (Put it on foil on the baking sheet). Season tops with rub; then spoon about 3 tablespoons vinaigrette over the Salmon
3. Place in oven and bake 10 to 12 min. or until salmon is done and just begins to flake when tested with a fork. (12 minutes is perfect for me)
4. While salmon bakes, place 2 tablespoons vinaigrette and 1 tbs vinegar in a large skillet; tilt skillet to blend and heat. Add spinach; stir and cook 1 to 2 minutes, until just wilted.
5. Remove salmon from oven. (Remove the bottom skin with a knife to make it less fishy.) Sprinkle cheese over top of spinach, if desired. Serve salmon over spinach.
Update
I started teaching the 4 year old class at Mother's Day Out this week, and I absolutely LOVE it and don't think I ever want to stop!! My nephew, Thomas, is in my class, and it is a treat to get to spend 2 days a week with him! So far, there have been only positives to doing this. I get to get out of the house and do something different 2 days a week (for just 5 hours), but still have the other 3 days to stay at home. I get to do what I thoroughly enjoy, teaching kids, but without the grading papers, prep time, etc. James gets to have the different experiences of playing with other babies. I feel really good about where he is, because there are 2 nursery workers (one of whom I know), who are as sweet as can be, and 5 babies. The babies are mostly those of stay-at-home moms who wouldn't send them if they were even slightly sick. I get to trade with one of the nursery workers to feed James twice during the day. I feel really good, because they tell me that James does really well in there, takes his naps, and seems happy all day long. That lets me relax and enjoy the day! These kids are SOOOOO adorable and say the funniest, cutest things.
This weekend is the last weekend before football season, so we might go to Dallas on Saturday. I'm excited to have a little get-a-way with our little family! Sunday, I'm going to get started on making all of these wonderful new recipes! Have a great weekend everyone!
Sombrero Pasta Salad
1 pkg, spiral pasta
1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 large green pepper chopped
1 med. onion chopped
1 med. tomato chopped
1 bottle (16 oz) Catalina dressing
Cook pasta; cook beef and then simmer with onion, pepper, and taco seasoning; combine everything in a big bowl. (If you use whole wheat pasta, it's always better the next day, because the pasta's so dense...learned that the hard way)
Taco Soup
http://littlebitslife.blogspot.com/2006/08/this-and-that.html
My sister just typed this out at the bottom of this post.
We make this about every week in the fall
Salmon and Spinach with Bacon
Prep time: 10 min. (so easy!!)
Cooking time:10 min.
Serves 4
(I didn't like spinach until I tried this. We got this recipe from our grocery store, which gives out awesome recipes all of the time.)
1 pound fresh Salmon Fillets
2 teaspoons Adams Reserve House All Purpose Rub
5 Tablespoons Canyon Foods Bacon Vinaigrette
1 Tablespoon white wine or rice wine vinegar
Feta cheese crumbles, optional
1 bag fresh spinach leaves, size of your choice, stems removed
1. Heat oven to 450 degrees
2. Cut salmon unto 4 portions; place on baking sheet (Put it on foil on the baking sheet). Season tops with rub; then spoon about 3 tablespoons vinaigrette over the Salmon
3. Place in oven and bake 10 to 12 min. or until salmon is done and just begins to flake when tested with a fork. (12 minutes is perfect for me)
4. While salmon bakes, place 2 tablespoons vinaigrette and 1 tbs vinegar in a large skillet; tilt skillet to blend and heat. Add spinach; stir and cook 1 to 2 minutes, until just wilted.
5. Remove salmon from oven. (Remove the bottom skin with a knife to make it less fishy.) Sprinkle cheese over top of spinach, if desired. Serve salmon over spinach.
Update
I started teaching the 4 year old class at Mother's Day Out this week, and I absolutely LOVE it and don't think I ever want to stop!! My nephew, Thomas, is in my class, and it is a treat to get to spend 2 days a week with him! So far, there have been only positives to doing this. I get to get out of the house and do something different 2 days a week (for just 5 hours), but still have the other 3 days to stay at home. I get to do what I thoroughly enjoy, teaching kids, but without the grading papers, prep time, etc. James gets to have the different experiences of playing with other babies. I feel really good about where he is, because there are 2 nursery workers (one of whom I know), who are as sweet as can be, and 5 babies. The babies are mostly those of stay-at-home moms who wouldn't send them if they were even slightly sick. I get to trade with one of the nursery workers to feed James twice during the day. I feel really good, because they tell me that James does really well in there, takes his naps, and seems happy all day long. That lets me relax and enjoy the day! These kids are SOOOOO adorable and say the funniest, cutest things.
This weekend is the last weekend before football season, so we might go to Dallas on Saturday. I'm excited to have a little get-a-way with our little family! Sunday, I'm going to get started on making all of these wonderful new recipes! Have a great weekend everyone!
Monday, August 21, 2006
On a Budget
As many of you probably understand, we are on a strict budget now that I'm staying at home. I am trying to search for good recipes that are also easy on the wallet, and I thought, what better place than in blogland! If you have a good, reasonably priced recipe, please share!! We are NOT picky!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Creepy Internet!
I took my pictures off of the my blog page, because with this JonBenet case in the news, I got to thinking about how this guy was probably obsessed with her and found them, broke in, and killed her. There are sickos who are looking for blogs like ours for reasons other than what I want them to be looking for, and I just don't think it's worth it! When I look at my little angel sleeping in my arms, and then I look at my cluster map (at the bottom), I get a little scared. If you'd like to know my family photos link, email me at laurentx20@hotmail.com (as in my name, tx for texas, and 20 for my age when I made that email address), and I'll be happy to send it to ya (even if you're in the blog circle and I don't personally know you)! If I already have your email, I'll be sending it to you soon. This way I can limit and choose what pictures I put on (for the whole world to see)! :)
Update
His 4 month appointment went great! James is a trim almost 18 lbs and is only heavier than 95% of all 4 month old babies as opposed to 105% at 2 months! He's still in the 75% for height. We started him on cereal last night! He gagged a few times and was really confused, but he'll hopefully get used to it soon.
Anyways, I don't have a scanner, and I've been wanting to post my professional pictures of James as a newnewborn (2 weeks old!). So, I took pictures of them. They look better in person, when it's not a picture of a picture, but you get the idea. :)
Anyways, I don't have a scanner, and I've been wanting to post my professional pictures of James as a newnewborn (2 weeks old!). So, I took pictures of them. They look better in person, when it's not a picture of a picture, but you get the idea. :)
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
4 months old!!
Today, my baby is 4 months old! Here is a list of things I love about my 4 month old.
*He is a flirt. He raises his eyebrows at me and just about everybody else. I think he'll be a future charmer.
*He's starting to reach up to Josh and me and touch our faces in the sweetest way.
*He love to "talk" to us. I love the interaction of him talking to us, us talking back, and his whole face lighting up.
*He smiles big, open-mouth smiles frequently.
*He's happy almost all of the time (unless he's extra hungry or tired).
*He flails his arms and legs in excitement when someone is holding him and he sees me walk by (melt my heart!).
*He is a snuggler, loves to be kissed and cuddled
*He loves to be in his daddy's arms, standing up and walking around so he can observe everything around him
*His favorite position is to be standing up in our laps, looking at us.
*I love watching him become more of a person, learning his preferences, watching him grow and do more and more things every week
He is...
-grabbing his feet any chance he can get
-drooling (I love his slobbery kisses)
-constantly with his hands in his mouth
-in the beginning stages of cutting a tooth
-rolling from tummy to back every day now
-sitting more sturdily with my help
-very ticklish, just like his daddy
-getting really long lashes all of a sudden
-a chunkster, with adorable rolls and cellulite (when else is that adorable?)
James has brought indescribable joy to our lives and is an everyday reminder of God's love for us.
*He is a flirt. He raises his eyebrows at me and just about everybody else. I think he'll be a future charmer.
*He's starting to reach up to Josh and me and touch our faces in the sweetest way.
*He love to "talk" to us. I love the interaction of him talking to us, us talking back, and his whole face lighting up.
*He smiles big, open-mouth smiles frequently.
*He's happy almost all of the time (unless he's extra hungry or tired).
*He flails his arms and legs in excitement when someone is holding him and he sees me walk by (melt my heart!).
*He is a snuggler, loves to be kissed and cuddled
*He loves to be in his daddy's arms, standing up and walking around so he can observe everything around him
*His favorite position is to be standing up in our laps, looking at us.
*I love watching him become more of a person, learning his preferences, watching him grow and do more and more things every week
He is...
-grabbing his feet any chance he can get
-drooling (I love his slobbery kisses)
-constantly with his hands in his mouth
-in the beginning stages of cutting a tooth
-rolling from tummy to back every day now
-sitting more sturdily with my help
-very ticklish, just like his daddy
-getting really long lashes all of a sudden
-a chunkster, with adorable rolls and cellulite (when else is that adorable?)
James has brought indescribable joy to our lives and is an everyday reminder of God's love for us.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Success!
The stitching isn't perfect, but it works and I love it! It's nice to have my hands free, is amazingly supportive, and James is happy being up high and close to me. I had so much fun using my sewing machine for the first time and am thinking about taking a class and trying some more projects. Anyways, here's the finished product...
Friday, August 11, 2006
Stir Crazy
Is anyone else a little stir crazy from being forced to stay indoors because of this heat?? I stayed in all day the other day and got a little stir crazy by around 4:00, so I decided to go over to my sister's. Just from going from my house to my car and from my car to E's house, James and I both were sweating and worn out! It doesn't help that I'm in a rental car and forgot my garage door opener, so I've been parking outside. Poor James has cried a few times from being touched by hot buckles.
I forgot to post that 2 weeks ago, James started cackling. It's not just the "huhhuh...huhhuh..." laugh anymore, and it's soooo sweet!! I love hearing it and spend a lot of my day trying to get it out of him. His Uncle Bryon was the first to get it out of him, and when I tried the same techniques, he looked at me with a little smirk, like I was just making myself look silly. :) Yesterday morning he laughed hard for the first time without any promting from me. This stage has been so much fun! The only negative thing I can say is that he has been a bad sleeper lately. He's been waking up about 3 or 4 times a night. We're so used to getting up by now, that it's not as bad as the shock of no sleep at the beginning, but I'd still like my good sleeper to come back!
I'm starting my first sewing project this weekend. A friend at church told me how to make baby slings, so I'm going to give it a try. They're supposed to be easy and good on the back. I'll post pictures when I'm done!
I forgot to post that 2 weeks ago, James started cackling. It's not just the "huhhuh...huhhuh..." laugh anymore, and it's soooo sweet!! I love hearing it and spend a lot of my day trying to get it out of him. His Uncle Bryon was the first to get it out of him, and when I tried the same techniques, he looked at me with a little smirk, like I was just making myself look silly. :) Yesterday morning he laughed hard for the first time without any promting from me. This stage has been so much fun! The only negative thing I can say is that he has been a bad sleeper lately. He's been waking up about 3 or 4 times a night. We're so used to getting up by now, that it's not as bad as the shock of no sleep at the beginning, but I'd still like my good sleeper to come back!
I'm starting my first sewing project this weekend. A friend at church told me how to make baby slings, so I'm going to give it a try. They're supposed to be easy and good on the back. I'll post pictures when I'm done!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Bedtime Routine
Just for fun, I thought I'd take pictures of our bedtime routine with James. Every night, around 8:00, we give him a bath, I give him to Josh to dry him off, Josh puts his PJ's on and swaddles him, I feed him in the rocking chair, Josh says a prayer for James, and then we put him to bed. It's funny because he knows what's coming next (ex. He starts acting hungry as soon as we swaddle him), and as soon as we put him down, he's out (for anywhere from 6-10 hours). Just thought I'd share this with you! :)
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