And For This, I(Belatedly, of course) Give Thanks..

I've been wanting to make a Thanksgiving post, but just couldn't come up with the right words. While the words are still escaping me, I figured I should do this before Christmas rolls around. Especially with my track record, these days. ;)

2009 is the first year I've spent away from my family...ever. We're always together during the holidays, and I have to admit that even though I went 'home' a few weeks ago, part of me still wished to be there during Thanksgiving. But no matter the longing in my heart, it's nice to know that I'm creating my own traditions with my immediate family. The Husband had to work this year. *sigh* This is only the second(I think) Thanksgiving I've spent apart from him. While yes, it sucks, it's sort of a 'chin up and onward' thing I've grown used to over the years. At least he's getting a three-day weekend to make up for it.

So being without The Husband, and my family, I decided we'd still have a great Thanksgiving. About a month ago, we made plans to gather over at The Sillys' house for the holiday. This worked out splendidly because Charlie and Smushy basically kept each other occupied and out of our hair in the kitchen. It was great. I mean really, really great. The perfect combination of what I'm used to(the food) and a little bit different(the food/location/people). This was the first Thanksgiving I got to spend with my best friend, and pregnancy hormones onlymade it sweeter. It really was a perfect day. Okay, aside from the fact my kid didn't nap. What's new? But it really, truly was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had.

So in 2009, I give thanks for:

The Husband: he works long and hard to provide for our family. Of course it doesn't come without complaint, but I can't imagine there are many days I don't complain about staying at home with the kid. ;) We're growing together even more over the last few months, and I can't help but get the warm fuzzies when I think about our relationship.

My Charlie: How he tests me and makes me want to pull my hair ou

t. He's a spirited boy, but oh so smart and sweet. I know we must be doing something right.

My Little Pumpkin Seed: What the surprise you are! I'm thankful for the constant nausea that reassures me that everything's okay in there, even if I complain about it alot.

Our parents and grandparents: Always at the ready to help us out in any way, you are all truly my rock.

Keurig: Thank you for inventing the single-cup brewer. I could not live a day without you.

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond: For helping me make a macaroni and cheese that didn't even come close to killing anyone this Thanksgiving. Okay, it tried, but only the best BEST way possible. It was THAT good, y'all.

And to the Silly Family: Thank you for making Thanksgiving one of the sweetest days of my year. I'm so glad we finally got to spend one together, and that our kids get to give and experience the love that each of our families has to share.

Trick or Treat

10.31.09

Go ahead. I'll give you a minute to wrap your mind around it. It's taken us a couple weeks, too. Not that this was totally unplanned, but given our history of 'hardship' while trying to conceive, let's just say no one thought it'd happen this quickly. Especially when one of two parties involved has been in and out, and in and out, and in and out(to sea, you perv!). And the other party? Well, we could use the words non-functioning ovaries.

I've been becoming well acquainted with this guy, hence my absence...

Due date of v.2.0 has not yet been established. Ultrasound on 12/4 should provide concrete answers, although it's believed to be mid-July 2010.

Who Does This Remind You of?

Phillip, originally uploaded by cotyandtristan.

This is actually a picture of my Dad. It was shown to me since we're down in SC visiting right now, and I can't believe how much Charlie resembles him!

'I'm Reading A Book!'

Make sure you watch and listen for the 'the end' throw. :S He's getting so destructive these days!

More Fall Fun!

Boy, between Charlie's school and the different mommy blogs I read, I sure do come up with alot of ideas for fun these days! One day, I'll figure out a way to thank everyone. But for right now, have some pictures!

In these pictures you'll see an idea that I took from Charlie's school and made our own. Well, that's what I thought. Go figure that the next day I saw another blogger doing the same thing! Anyway, it's called a Sensory Table at his school. Every day his teachers fill the table with different things and the kids seem to have so much fun. One of Charlie's favorites is Bubble Day with rubber duckies. I decided to hit Walmart and Dollar Tree to see if I could find some cheap little toys to put in his Sensory Bin at home. He is in LOVE and will seriously sit down to play for a good half hour. Even after that initial 'WOW!' reaction and playtime, he'll continue to go back to the bin for the rest of the day.

This particular day I told him we were going on a mouse hunt!

And, we've been doing more painting. He really cannot get enough of that. He asks everyday to paint and sometimes gets grumpy when I tell him no. I'm always on the lookout for things he can decorate with paint, markers, stickers, and glue, so these cute Halloween picture frames at Christmas Tree Shop were no exception! I figure we'll put some pictures of him in his costume in the frames.

We've also decorated several pumpkins.

This morning, we attended a free Halloween festival put on by Mitchell College. All they asked was a donation of one canned good for entry. Easy peasy! Charlie had so much fun playing the different games, working on small crafts, and even having his face painted. He also participated in a short costume parade and followed the leader's directions so well. I was very impressed! He was so cute telling everyone, 'I a BLUE monster. Raaawrr!'

One of his favorite things was the balloon guy. He made him a cool monster hat to match his costume. But wait for it...I need you to see the enormity of this thing...

That's right, it was about 3.5' in diameter. Poor Charlie kept running into everyone and everything!

But seriously..have you ever seen a cuter blue monster?

I didn't think so!

Things You Do In The North...

That you don't do in the South.

Get bundled up to go outside during the middle of the day in October.

Apple picking in the crisp, cool weather.

This.

Go a little overboard with fall crafting because you can actually teach your kid what fall is/looks like.

More to come.

3 out of 4

In parenting, I've always thought there are four big milestones that are tremendous to you and your child. They're hard. They're brutal. They're downright scary. Let me list them for you(although you might want to put on your rose-colored glasses if you're not there, yet):

1. Weaning from the boob or the bottle

2. Weaning from the pacifier

3. Transitioning out of the crib

4. Potty training

If you ask your fellow mommies and daddies about any of those four topics, there eyes will probably turn wide and they'll surely have a story to tell. They might even take off running if they haven't been there yet!

Here at L.M.C. we've already discussed weaning from the pacifier. I'm sure y'all remember how terrified I was of that particular ordeal. Charlie gave me an easy time when it came to weaning from the boob. At exactly one year old, he decided he'd had enough. He was already good with a cup so we never relied on bottles. I count my lucky stars for that. Potty training? Yeah, that's one where my eyes glaze over. He's nowhere near ready and the only time he'll sit on the potty is if he is promised a sticker(or ten). It's not a huge deal because he's only two. If he isn't showing more interest by three then I may have to enroll him in Mommy Potty Bootcamp. ;)

So that leaves one thing: Transitioning out of the crib. The Husband and I talked it over, and because he was getting a bonus, decided that we should go ahead and buy the 'big boy bed' while we actually had the extra funds lying around. I figured at some point we'd get around to setting it up, but it was so cute I just went ahead and did it! The part I roll my eyes at, is the part where I actually expected Charlie to sleep in his crib when there was a fun, big boy bed in his room, too. Oh yeah. That went over well. He screamed, he cried, he threw himself on the floor. Fine. I told him if he wanted to sleep in the big boy bed, that he had to stay in there, be still and quiet, and go to sleep. I walked out the door half chuckling to myself thinking that was never gonna happen. Boy did he surprise me! I don't think I've ever heard him be so quiet or lay so still. I checked the monitor and didn't see any movement at all. Finally, after an hour of him not moving, I decided he must be asleep. I poked my head in the door and sure enough, he was! I couldn't believe it!! So from that night on he has slept in the big boy bed. I took the crib down a couple of weeks ago, and while sad to see it go, relieved that we are now done with 3 out of 4.

Charlie's new big boy room. I wish I could paint the walls, but we rent. :(

So we do lots of colorful projects to add a little zing. ;)

I'm going to add a couple more pictures on that blank space.

Happy Birthday Fall!

Fall is officially here and I couldn't be happier. I've never actually gotten to experience such a change in seasons, and not only is it refreshing, it's beautiful! Of course, cooler weather begs for new home decorations so we went off to Michael's in search of those the other day. I didn't get a chance to hang them up before Charlie went to bed, so he didn't see them until the next morning when we were leaving for school.

Apparently, all decorations equal a birthday party. What did he say when he walked out the door?
'Happy birthday!' I laughed and gently corrected him that it was, 'Happy Fall.' To that he said, 'Happy Birthday, Fall!'

To The Fair!

On Monday, we spent our day with friends at The Big E. We had a great time even though the weather was a little warmer than we've gotten used to over the past few weeks. It was a long day that left us all exhausted, but it was fun. :)

Charlie and Smushy holding hands in the car.

He had SO much fun on the various rides and fun houses.

And what fair is complete without a caffeine overdose...

...and a sugar high?

This was our bestest-favoritest moment, though.

Something we could do together. :)

Mommy: Charlie, what are we doing?

Charlie: We ride Dumbo elephant.

Mommy: Oh yeah! This is fun!!

Charlie: He has big ears *pausing as if to think* And little hairs!

Funniest.Kid.Ever.

The end.

Made By Mama <3

Last week, I finally got the chance to work on a project I've been looking forward to since June! A couple years ago I stumbled across the Carseat Poncho and thought it was a very innovative way of keeping children safe AND warm in the car during the colder months. I only paused when I saw the price. Ouch.

Back then, I hadn't yet learned to use a sewing machine. It is only recently I've become confident enough to even sew a couple square of fabric together. ;) I found this pattern at Joann Fabrics in June and have been waiting for cooler weather to get started on it. It was very simple and straightforward and only took about 45 minute from cutting to finish. I let Charlie pick out his own fleece and he's very excited about his Thomas poncho! Charlie is 37" tall and weighs 30 lbs. I cut the pattern to a 3T and it's a great fit with a little room to grow. :)

Even though I got the amount of fabric listed for the pattern, I still ended up with alot of extra. One day while Charlie was at school I free-styled a matching pair of pants. It really wasn't that hard and now I know exactly what to do! Fleece is(thankfully, for me) very forgiving and easy to work with.

Here's Charlie modeling how he'll use his poncho in the car this winter. Children should not wear bulky coats or snowsuits under their 5-point harness because in a crash the fabric will compress leaving alot of slack. Sometimes enough for a child to be ejected! What they can wear, however, is a light fleece jacket, a thin sweater, or even leg warmers on their arms. Top this with a fleece poncho and you can be they'll be super toasty!

See how the poncho doesn't affect his harness at all?

Now of course, don't go thinking I'm going to freeze my child. ;) We'll keep a heavier coat in the car for outings and such.