Cooking with Mommy...

ELMO LIVE!!

It was a great time and John did a great job sitting, especially since it was nap time. I didn't think it would be more than an hour and it last an hour and half! It was great! The pictures below go backwards because for some reason I can't move the pictures around...so start at the bottom and enjoy!

He just couldn't make it through the whole 2nd half. He tried so hard to keep his little eyes open but they kept drooping and finally he gave up.

Eating some kettle corn...his first time.

John sat like this pretty much the whole time...he was in complete awe. He did dance a little and he would clap when the songs ended.

There's Elmo!!

The show begins!

John and Daddy playing with one of his souvenirs.

Big Bird came over the intercom and John couldn't believe it!

The family in front of the stage. John was so overwhelmed by all the seats, people and lights. Poor guy...he almost looks scared in this picture!

John waiting in line by Elmo while Nana LeAnn bought him a few souvenirs.

Daddy and John walking to the Sprint Center in the snow.

Nana LeAnn came up last night because she is spending the weekend with us to see Elmo. Today I got home from work and this is what I saw before me...
1. My house totally picked up and vacummed
2. My kitchen floor scrubbed clean and dishes done
3. All of my toilets cleaned
4. Laundry going
5. Supper cooking in the crockpot
6. A famous LeAnn chocolate pie

I could most certainly get used to this! When I asked my mom "So I had all these ingredients here in my kitchen?" She replied, "Yes dear". I then asked, "What made you think to make a chocolate pie...it's not a holiday or anything?" (I don't think I have ever thought...hmmm I think I'll make a chocolate pie). She said, "Well I got dinner made, saw there was a pie crust in the fridge and thought that we didn't have anything sweet for desert. So I made a pie." So there you have it. I wonder if I will ever think like that. My thought is usually, "We don't have any desert. Let's go get some ice cream."

What a wonderful Friday...and tomorrow is ELMO LIVE!

First born

Turning 1!

18 months

Hard to believe it has been 18 months...

John will be 18 months tomorrow and I just cannot believe it. I was going through some different bins that held stuff I have been putting in the new baby's room. I came across some newborn diapers that we didn't used and I had saved. I didn't realize how little they were...especially compared to the diapers John is in now (size 4). It makes me think..."where did these last 18 months go?" John has changed so much. He has gone from that little bundle of joy that just layed on our laps, to this little boy with so much personality and energy. Today he told Jewell (his babysitter) "poop" and he pointed to his diaper. Sure enough...he had pooped! She told Matt that she thought by Spring he would be ready to potty train. I have said in passing conversations about how great it would be to not have diapers on both kiddos...but to think that John could possibly be starting to get out of diapers by Summer time...almost makes me sad. I know that sounds crazy, but it is one more independence that he will have taken on...making him even more of my little boy rather than my little baby. I know I am rambling on...but these are my feelings tonight. It is so strange how parenthood changes you and makes you notice these little things.

John will be turning 18 Months this week and I just cannot believe it. I have been thinking about starting a growth chart for him. I mentioned this to Matt a few weeks ago, and he proceeded to surprise me by measuring John in the doorway between our living room and dining room...with a permanent marker...for all the world to see. I tried to remain calm and appreciate what he had done...but he had just marked up our walls in the most visible spot in our home. I simply said, "Thank you, but that wasn't exactly what I was thinking." He didn't really see the problem, but that is okay. That is why I love him. :)

Anyway...more than likely I will travel to Target and pick up a growth chart for John that we can keep for all time, but I did find this cute idea from http://www.missnatalie.com/blog/2008_03_01_

She was selling them on Etsy a few years back and they are all sold out. But what a cute idea. I don't think they would too hard to make...so I might try it...we'll see.

Some of you may know this already, but I have reached the no sleep part of my pregnancy. I feel like it is a little earlier than John but it has arrived. Between me not being able to get comfortable, my mind racing, my body working constantly, and my darling boy wanting to share a bed with his dad and I...sleep does not come easy. I think last night our grand total was 3.5 hours. Needless to say I was exhausted today...and I looked it. I got home and couldn't believe that I had really looked like this all day long. My darling husband could see how tired I was over dinner, so he laid me on the couch, propped my feet up, rubbed them (if you know Matt...he hates feet so this is a big deal), and took our sweet boy to small group with him. I was able to catch some zzz's for 2 hours. When I woke up he had Culver's waiting on me so that I would have a snack while I did my homework and he had put the boy to bed.

Oh...I love my husband.

Bath Time and Big Belly

Bath time is always so fun.

People have been asking to see pictures of me and my belly. Matt wasn't home tonight, so I took my own picture. As you can see...I am concentrating really hard to take this picture.

New Baby Info:

The new baby is around 4 pounds and is the same weight as a pineapple. She/He is around 17 inches long from heel to head. He/She is looking less like an alien and is getting their skin smoothed out (not so wrinkly anymore). Her/His brain bones are still soft and don't come together so that they can fit through the birth canal. The bones actually don't totally harden until they reach adulthood. I am feeling well and excited to meet this little one.

Update on John:

My sweet little boy went to bed without a fever tonight...YEAH! Hopefully sleep will find him well tonight and we can get a full night's rest. Last night was about 3 hours of sleep long. You can tell he is feeling better...clingy and not quite himself, but getting close. Today we were laying on our bed and watching Elmo. Elmo was talking to a baby and John started patting my belly and saying "baby". He then proceeded to put his mouth on my belly and growl like a lion. He thought it was so funny and he did it numerous times. It was quite cute.

Today was a good day. I got to be with some of my good friends and our book study. One of the reasons why I love this book study so much is not only do we talk about the book (a little) but we talk about different things that we think and we are going through. It is nice to say something that you have been thinking of (and you don't think anyone else would think this) and they say "I've been thinking about that too!" Helps to make you think you're not crazy or a weird parent. One of the topics that we talked about today was having traditions in our family. I have been thinking of them since Advent and I am determined to start doing some traditions in our family. So look out...they will be blogged about.

This week I had a challenge for myself. I wanted to be more intentional while doing things...even if it meant I was folding laundry. I wanted to not be thinking about the 15 other things that I should/could be doing, but to be in that moment and either enjoy it or say a prayer to help me enjoy it. My big goal was to do this while I was doing stuff with John. I will tell you that I feel like I was less stressed and seemed to enjoy things more this week, but looking back...I didn't get as much stuff as I would have normally gotten done. However, I am slowly learning that sometimes things just don't get completed and I am learning to be okay with that.

The nursery is coming together quite well. I really only have to bring up clothing and a few other things from the basement. The name above the bed will come when we find out what sex the baby is...Jackson or (the girl name is still being decided on). Tonight I was looking through a few of the clothes that John use to wear and it is weird to think that he was that small at one time. They grow so fast. I only pulled the neutral sex outfits out...however, I think it will be weird to see a little girl (if we have one) dressed in the clothes that John wore.

For those that might not know...the nursery is being shared with the guest room. At first I wasn't excited about this, but I really think it will turn out quite fine!

Matt put a picture of John above the baby bed, so he/she would be looking at him while laying in bed. I thought this was cute.

These cute wall hangings were from my mom. She got them at Forbes, a local store in Houston. I love that C is for "cuddle bug".

Changing Table...still have to get the cover for the mat.

I am now in love with wall decals! The polka dots on the wall just stick on and I can move them around. LOVE IT!

Here's my sweet boy and his easel. He loves to make it into a desk and then into the easel. He thinks he is so big doing this. And yes...he does have Christmas pj's on. I don't think things should just get worn one time...so we are still wearing them.

FRUSTRATIONS of BEING a MOM:

John came home yesterday and spiked a temperature of 102. We gave him Tylenol and he woke up with no fever this morning. He wasn't a 100%, but he played today and acted okay. Around 5:00...his cheeks started getting rosy and he felt hot. A 102 temp again. This is when I wish he could tell me where he hurt or ached. I have no idea what is wrong with him. I am fearing that he might have an ear ache and he is going to have to take the horrid antibiotics that he hated so much last time. I can't wait to have him 100% again.

Love laying with my two babies...one in my belly kickin' like crazy and the other one cuddled up on me after a day of being away from each other.

While laying with my kiddos, I watched the fundraiser for Haiti. Truthfully, I have avoided the news because I get so emotional hearing and seeing these tragic photos and events happening. It makes me so badly want to take all my things and just hop on a plane to help these poor people. I so badly want to hold those babies that have no mothers to hold them anymore. On the telethon, it said that BEFORE the earthquake there was over 380,000 orphans. I cry and hurt just thinking if I wasn't there to hold John or this new baby that is on it's way...I hurt for myself and for them.

Matt says we should adopt a Haitian baby...I rolled my eyes and told him he was crazy since I am about to have a baby. But secretly, I think I would do it in a heartbeat. I asked John tonight if he would want a Haitian brother or sister (maybe both) and he nodded yes. My eyes welled up hoping that he will always have that attitude. Below are some pictures of the tragedies in Haiti. The picture of the little boy...I could just cuddle him up and bring him home in a second!

I am thankful that God has given me such a sympathetic heart, but sometimes, I wish that I could turn it off. Oh well...maybe I will look up adoptions in Haiti now...we'll see.

Good night...

Here is the video that I had promised last night.

He wants to climb so badly, but those darn long pants and short legs are just not a good combination.

Frustration comes at the end.

Sorry that it is turned to the side...you'll have to turn your head to watch.

On a side note...I had a 1 hour massage tonight...AMAZING!

I had always had a 30 min. massage, but the hour is so much better. I totally relaxed.

I was nervous about doing a prenatal massage because I didn't know if I would get as comfortable being pregnant...don't worry...I did!

If you are interested in getting one...let me know. She has a great price 1 hour = $45.

My darling child loves to climb. He loves to make things into steps just to see if he can climb on them.

I have a video to show how his darn, long pants are getting in the way...but for some reason it isn't loading. So we'll try to get it going tomorrow night.

Super cute ideas for Valentine Day cards. You can check out how to make them onhttp://thelongthread.com/

So tired today...so this is short.

1st day back from a long weekend...always makes for a long day.

John went back to Jewell's...always exhausted when he comes home.

Had our first Dinner's for 8 and we were the host...went very well.

I did have a doctor's appointment today. The baby's heartbeat is at it's usual mid to upper 140's. I am measuring right where I should be and weighing in at a good weight.

A good day overall!

Today was a nice relaxing day with the boy and I. We didn't do much but we did spend some quality time together. A few of my favorite moments were:

• John being a snuggle bunny today, so there was a lot of reading and laying around watching Elmo
• John figuring out he can suck on his toes. He hadn't done this since he was a newborn so it was funny to see him revisit it. (he was on my lap so I couldn't get a picture)
• John laying across me in our orange chair, with his feet propped up and crossed.
• John wanting to dance but only if we were holding hands and going around in circles.

We got John a new book today about being a big brother. It wasn't the one that I went looking for, but it is a good one and I am excited for us to read it together.

John is a little young for this book but I love it. I knew that a few of the teachers have read it and use it in their classrooms. If you have never read it...you should. It is about how everyone has a carries around an invisible bucket and it holds our feelings. You can either be a bucket filler or a bucket dipper. The jist of it is that you should be filling people's buckets with compliments and good gestures. I am going to use it in my classroom, but I am also going to use it at home. I am currently looking for cute decorated bucket ideas so that we can have them in our house.

My favorite story of John today...

We had the Sharky's and the Shultz's over for lunch, football and girl time coffee today. Madeline didn't feel well, so Jessica was trying to take her temperature in her ear. Madeline did NOT want this to happen. My precious and helpful boy saw this, so he decided to show Madeline how to put the thermometer in her ear and how it didn't hurt. However, instead of using the actual thermometer, he used the purple marker that he had been drawing with minutes before this occurrence. Let's just say...there was marker in his ear and across his cheek. It was so cute and he just kept doing it to show her it didn't hurt. It was so sweet!

Wish I had taken a picture!

Info about the new baby...

I am 32 weeks today. The baby is the size of a large jicama (I have no idea what this is but there is a picture of it above.) The baby weighs around 3.75 lbs and is about 16.5 inches long. This baby is quite the kicker and does not like it when my belly leans up against something. It has a kicking match anytime my belly is resting against an object...including when John is leaning on it.

It is getting closer!

Today was a day that I got to spend with some of my girlfriends from college. It made me go back and think of the fun that we had living in Phelps Grove. The pictures above are of FNP (Friday Night Praise). As I looked through these pictures tonight, I thought about how cool it was that a HUGE group of college students would meet at 9:00 on a Friday night in a crappy house, to worship God. It was a feeling that I can't begin to explain. The music that filled the house was indescribable and the presence of the Lord was always there. The voices that rose in the darkness of that house were true worship. It made me say a prayer and hope that my children will find something like that one day. I didn't realize how blessed I was to be able to be a part of Icthus.

As I looked at the pictures, it reminded me of what I read today in the book Crazy Love. It was about how we make excuses like "Yes, I am prideful sometimes, but everyone struggles with pride." However, God hates pride and we aren't allowed to tell him he can hate it. The fact is that God can hate pride and he can severely punish us for it. But instead, our loving God, had his Son die for us...for our sin. The book follows up talking about the writings that the Bible has about the sights of Heaven and God on his throne. It is unimaginable and earthly words can't quite describe it. There is constant worshiping going on...this makes me so excited as I think about how much I loved FNP....it won't even compare.