Moving Day

"Hey Guys! You're not supposed to pack me!!" 

Mother's Day Out-takes

To life... full of reasons to celebrate!

Snack Pack Time!

Zeke's first snack pack pudding! 

Good to the last drop! 

He greatly enjoyed his first Snack Pack... even though there is no smile :o) 

Herbal Iced Tea

I picked up the Barefoot Contessa cookbook from the library a week or two ago. There were several recipes that looked good, but this one was chosen to try first. I am not a big tea drinker -- at all! But Jeremiah likes tea and I do like to find beverages that I could have in my arsenal for guests as well. We gave this one a try and for me, it was just ok. But if you like tea, you may really enjoy this one. I will probably make it from time to time when we have guests come over who I know will enjoy it too. But I probably won't make it just for myself.

Herbal Iced Tea 
        from the Barefoot Contessa 

4 Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea bags
4 Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea bags
4 cups pure apple juice (*She uses Martinelli's pure apple juice; I used the store brand :o) )

Steep the 8 tea bags in 4 cups of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags. Combine the tea with the apple juice and refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice. Serves 6-8.

P.S. It is also caffeine free!

To life... full of fun, summery drinks!

April Wrap-Up

My verse: "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Miles: 92.9! My highest average so far - 3.06 miles per day! Good weather really makes a difference!

This month I'm reflecting on change. I am so resistant to it. It scares me. It worries me. It stresses me out. This picture is a good visual representation for me:

Yet, life is full of change. I read a good post on "A Holy Experience" about change. One of the quotes she listed was from Dr. Seuss, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." I tend to forget to be thankful for what I did get to experience and complain that it's ending; rather than be glad that it happened and excited for what's next. It is hard to change a mind (and heart!) that is set in its ways, but I believe it can be done. And I am praying that as we move forward to the next step in our life - moving to Colorado - that I will embrace the new adventure God is taking our family on.

To life... full of donkey-like stubbornness.

Friday's Foto

March 17, 2013 

15 Months Old!

We went in for Zeke's 15 month doctor appointment this morning. His stats: 23 lbs. 10 oz. (just over 25%) and 30 3/4 in. tall (50%)! They said he is pretty much perfect :o)

- He is wearing a combination of 12 - 18 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

- He finished nursing sometime in March and drinks milk before bed every night.

His development has really taken off the past 3 months, especially the past few weeks! Some new things in his/our life:

- He is signing "please."

- He has his 2 front teeth (came in on April 11 and 21) and I see one coming in on the bottom as well! We have begun to brush his teeth during bath time!

- I trimmed his hair (the bangs and around his ears) for the first time.

Just before the bangs were trimmed... 

Post-bath hair cut

- He is waving "bye-bye."

- On Sunday when we were playing with his tractor, it sounded like he was singing "ee-i-ee-i-oh" along with "Old McDonald."

- He has started clapping and thinks it's quite fun to play Patty Cake.

- He likes to give us pats {of encouragement} on the back. Sometimes he gets both hands going, but only if he is very pleased with us ;o)

- He is constantly pointing to things wanting to know the name of the object and/or wanting to play with it.

We took lots of chilly walks in March and April! 

- He laughs a lot more than he used to; he even giggles unprovoked.

-  He is becoming more interested in puzzles.

- When we come into his room after his nap, he stands and waits for us to come to his crib, then he points at his monitor, reminding us to turn it off so the alarm doesn't go off. I ask "What's next?" Then he points to his heater/vent to be turned off. I ask one last time, "Now what?" and he points to himself or lifts up his arms. Love it!

- We transitioned to a forward-facing car seat just before our trip out to Colorado in the middle of March. He enjoys looking out the front windshield and being able to see Mom and Dad.

 - We can tell he understands so much now! He responds to simple commands and requests. I have borrowed a "Baby Signing" book from the library so I can teach him more signs so he can communicate with us more easily as he is in this transition time before he can speak clearly.

What a sweet and wonderful boy you are, Ezekiel! Every day is an adventure and we learn so much from one another! I look forward to every day -- watching you grow, develop, learn, and mature. You are deeply loved!

To life... full of cutting teeth!