Let it Snow!

This past week, Sean got to enjoy snow for the first time. Last winter, he was too tiny to go sledding, but he certainly has taken to it now!

My boy is getting so big, but I've gotten lazy about taking pictures, so this month, I'm trying to do that more.

Tomorrow, Sean will be 15 months old. I can't believe how quickly this time has gone! He brings so much joy to my life, and is quite the ham. He runs all over our house, and makes us all laugh with his silly dancing.

We spend many peaceful days together, eating our meals, doing chores, (he loves to "help" me sweep) and taking little outings together. A new birth center recently opened right down the road, and we walk there for La Leche League meetings, where I get to visit with other mommies, and he plays with the children. 

We are all enjoying life here in town, and visiting the nearby parks is something we continue to do more of.

Ridge is nearing the end of a script that he's been writing, and we enjoy bouncing ideas off each other for that. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary in October, and are happier than ever. I am so thankful for my amazing husband, and the wonderful daddy he has proved to be.

Now that the cold weather has come, I have picked up more sewing, including a custom order for a costume. That has been a lot of fun, and brings back many happy memories of giddy planning of parties.

Speaking of which, I need to sew some trim, but I will try to write again soon, and post more pictures of my little Christmas cherub!

Shabby Apple Giveaway

http://blog.shabbyapple.com/2012/10/why-because-we-love-you.html

Go check out the Shabby Apple blog! They are giving away a 12 month "subscription" of dresses to one winner!

My Boy is One

Last year, a tiny newborn lay in my arms, the perfect picture of fragile beauty and innocence.

Now, I have a busy one year old, walking, babbling, and still warming his Mama's heart every day. 

I love you, Sean Wilberforce!

Morning Snuggles

This morning, Sean and I were reading together, 

and he took such an interest in his books,

 I just had to grab the camera.

                                     

And now I have to head for Bigfork. Tomorrow is a very big day for his Auntie Megan. 

She's getting married!

Revisiting the Trampoline

  

                                                            Even Ridge is bouncing!

          
We had a lot of fun with my family last night. It was the first time I had been been on the trampoline in forever, but it was the perfect way to celebrate the first day of summer!

A Good Night's Sleep

                                                                    This ^ busy boy...

                                                          ...is also this ^ happy guy....

                                                ...who is also this ^ sweet, sleeping cherub.

That's right, it took eight months to sleep train Sean. If that sounds like hell to you, then get this: I'm planning to do the same when it comes time for go-round #2.
No, I'm not crazy, or one of those "sleep is for the weak" types, but in my experience with Sean, getting up at night with my baby made for some real benefits.
At first, when he was a newborn, it just made sense for me to get up with him several times a night. After being inside me for 9 1/2 months, he was accustomed to having constant comfort and nourishment, as well as being able to sleep when he wanted. Waking with him at night also helped me in getting into the swing of breastfeeding, which, as I've mentioned before, has done wonders for his health and mine.
Then, when he was about three and a half months old, we stopped swaddling him every night, but I kept getting up between one and three times a night. Of course, at this point there were no diapers that needed changing, but he still would get hungry. So, I continued on with it, and Sean ended up snuggled in bed with me more often than what most people probably would recommend.
When Sean turned six months old, feedings had dwindled to once a night. At that point, I don't believe it was stemming from a physical need, but more likely from wanting some comfort and assurance that his mama was there for him. Besides, we were still sharing our little bedroom with him, so I would awaken at his every peep.
When Sean was seven months old, we moved into our new house. Naturally, we wanted him to feel secure in his new surroundings, so we set up our small crib in the master bedroom.
After several weeks of that, we moved him into the full sized crib in the nursery. We got the baby monitor set up and crossed our fingers.
And he slept like, well- like a baby!
He'll wake up every now and then, but my boy is solidly sleeping through the night!
Knowing that Sean is happy and feels secure and cared for makes all of those night of getting up with hims so worth it. Turns out, graveyard shift isn't so bad, after all.

Two Years

Yesterday marked two years since the first day we started courting. It amazes me how fast that time went. So much has happened; the wedding, a new vehicle, our sweet boy, and a house of our own, not to mention Blogger's numerous reinventions (I'm not too fond of the new format).

Of course I was feeling all nostalgic, so I had planned to make a more-fancy-than-usual dinner, dress up, set the table nicely, etc. A busy boy who loves to grab everything, a list of errands, housework, and the occasional smushed pretzel in the carpet changed the direction of those plans, though.
We still had our chicken crepes, but the salad was less than inspired and the Caesar dressing (for reasons unknown) was congealed, and there were yogurt fingerprints to clean up. Then we watched a movie and ate salted peanuts and kept the little hands away from the cords.

What is life without some imperfection?

I have to admit, even though I love having a home of our own, I have about double the square feet to keep clean, and with Sean crawling everywhere now, some of it has to be done while he naps (which is why, if it weren't for the fact that I haven't blogged in so long, I'd be feeling pretty guilty right now).
Sean is getting so big, and is such a sweet boy! He gets into everything, but learns quickly when we tell him "no." He babbles so much, is always making us laugh, and gives such soft, warm hugs. :-)
I love being his Mama.

Well, I would post a picture of Ridge and I, but I need to get a more recent one than what I have.
I hope to start posting more, but this is all for now!

Well, well...

Last Monday, I turned twenty. That's means I've been blogging now for four years. Pretty hard to believe.
Here are some pictures from the wonderful party my folks hosted. Mom made an Oreo cake (top photo) that was simply dee- vine, and we had a nice time visiting with family and friends.
The three of us. :-)

Mom and I.

My "little" brother.

The sweet babe (with Grandpa Vestal holding him).

This time last year, Ridge and I had begun planning for the new baby we were expecting. Saint Patrick's day marked one year since the first time I saw my son, which honestly was one of the most amazing days of my life.
One year later, we've got a beautiful baby boy, and we are on to the next step for our family: buying our first house. I have loved our little "honeymoon house," but I am definitely glad that Sean will have his own nursery, Ridge will have an office, and our extra-extra large dining table won't look so ponderous anymore.
We are getting packed and are all set to close and start moving on the 26th.

It's That Time Of Year...

Wellie time!
'Cause Danskos can't quite go everywhere.

There are so many different names for them: mud boots, galoshes, wellingtons- and recently they have been produced in sooo many fun colors and prints! Dots, stripes, florals, plaids, and many more. My wellies are basic matte blue, because I got them at the feed store and not a boutique. So, to jazz them up a little, and to keep my tootsies snug, I'm sewing some dandy Wellie Warmers with a fun knit cuff.
Have fun splashing!

Why and When

Note: I in no way condone racism and its manifestations; however, in an attempt to look at abortion in a new light, I am writing terms of racism.

Why and When it is Appropriate and Acceptable to Kill a Black Person/Persons

• It is appropriate and acceptable to kill your black neighbor if they are an inconvenience to you.
• It is appropriate and acceptable to kill your black neighbor, in the case that you already have several black neighbors, and an additional one would be burdensome to your lifestyle.
• If one person enjoys and lives peaceably with his or her black neighbor, and another person decides it would be best to kill his or her own black neighbor, the former person must respect the decision of the latter.
• A black person is, in fact not a person at all, owing to the color of his or her skin.
• Whether or not one kills his or her black neighbor is up to his or her own discretion.
• It is appropriate and acceptable to kill your black neighbor if he or she has a disability you believe detracts from his or her quality of life (being black is a good place to start).
  
• Whether or not one kills his or her black neighbor has nothing to do with their opinion of black people as a group, but rather that particular one.
• It is appropriate and acceptable to kill your black neighbor, if you believe that he or she may be detrimental to your health
  

Remember to help yourselves to the literature and weapons on the back table, and remember to call your local Planned Neighborhood office for confidential advice in your decision regarding your black neighbor and your rights!

Now, imagine if we viewed babies the same way. In our society decades ago, black people were denied certain rights and liberties solely because they had skin of another color. In our society today, thousands of people are tortured and killed merely because they on the other side of their mother's abdominal wall.

Yes, sadly, we are that much stupid.

My Love

Today I just felt like saying that I am completely smitten with the sweetest, handsomest, kindest, funniest man in the whole wide world. He is my sunshine, and his name is Ridge.

Love is in the Air...

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Whether you enjoy the rampant commercialized barrage of candy, stuffed animals, and dinner reservations, take a more off-the-beaten-path approach, or spurn the whole "love" thing in favor of "Singles Awareness Day," the fact that Americans have devoted one day a year to nothing but gestures of affection to those who mean the most to us is an interesting thing.
Many people seem to either love or hate Valentine's Day based on their on romantic relationship status, or lack thereof. Happily, I am not one of these people. As long as I can remember, my dear mother would make the day special for my brother and I. Many years she assisted us in planning a big sledding party for all our friends, and we would make scores of valentines notes and goodies to go along with it. Long before a certain man became my sweetheart, Mom had instilled in me a love for love.
Now that I have a husband and sweet baby, I like to think that I am continuing that tradition of plain and simple love. I don't decorate our house to the hilt, and we don't go out anywhere fancy, (maybe someday) but I do love spending a lazy day with my boys (since Ridge got the day off) doing whatever we please. This year we are planning the drive around the big lake to seek adventure, then come home and have lobster soup for dinner, followed by this cake.
Wishing you all love, in one form or another- I'm off to make a lit garland.