Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: His Blue Steel


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Success At Last!!!

So, after almost 4 months, James is drinking liquids without a wrestling match, and almost completely on his own.

After the cleft palate surgery, making him take a bottle was torture for everyone involved.  Sippy cups did no good either.  He wanted nothing in his mouth, and proved to be stronger than we thought when it came to fighting it.

Since most of his liquids came from his baby food each day, we didn't worry at first.  But his transition to more regular foods have meant that something had to be done.

And then he discovered chocolate milkshakes.

Yes, I'm a horrible mother.  But he liked them, and it gave me an opportunity to teach him to suck through the straw and not just have me feeding him as if he was a baby bird using a dropper.

Last week, during dinner out, the waitress brought him a kid's cup with a straw.  We didn't think it would work.  He had been fighting just drinking liquids because there was more effort involved.  The milkshake was thick and stayed up in the straw, so he was able to sip and not have to wait for the drink.

But he did it!

So we brought his cup home, and now he is drinking a few ounces with each feeding and laughing.

Next up, finding a sippy cup that has a straw, will not leak, and he will hold.  Then he'll be all set to fly to CA in November!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

He Thinks He's Old


The biggest news for the adults in this household is the purchase of a newer vehicle.

Yes, we traded in the 1998 Lumina for a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan.

We, ladies and gentlemen, now own a mini van.

So, this last weekend we found ourselves wandering around WalMart, and playing in the electronics department. As James and I were wandering and babbling to one another, my husband went through a bin of CDs and found me something.

The Best of Journey. And it's the original Journey, with Steve Perry doing vocals.

Our new car has a cd player, so we went out to head home and immediately opened it to listen to on the way home.

Halfway there, from the passenger seat, my husband looked at me and smiled.

"I'm in a mini van with my wife, driving home with my son, and listening to Journey. I am officially old."

This had me laughing so hard.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Now There's Money On the Line!

One of the down sides to this remote working thing is not getting to participate in office stuff.  I actually miss some things, like company lunches and taking breaks with people.

My normal break buddy is more interested in my making him a pancake than any real conversation.  He has a thing about syrup, and the more that is poured on the happier he seems to be.

When I got the email about their latest office thing I replied back and asked if remote employees could participate as well.

Remember in August, when I had this amazing goal to continue to lose weight by starting the exercising thing?

Didn't happen.

I'm lazy.

I'm still at the same weight I was.

But this email gave me the final push: cash.

They've started a Biggest Loser competition, with bi-weekly weigh ins, and in December someone would be taking him money.  Originally it was to be 1 winner for most percentage of weight lost, but thanks to the generosity of the big boss, there will be 2 winners, one for the percentage, and then one for most weight lost.

Each winner takes home $250.

So now, when I would rather snooze than hit the treadmill, I think about the extra money for Christmas.

Amazing how that makes me want to move, right?

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Sometimes You Should Look Up

I've just read Linwood Barclay's Trust Your Eyes and I honestly loved the ride.

The book moved at a great pace, kept you wondering about what was unraveling before your eyes, and then ended in a way that made me blink and go back to read the last few pages again.  I wasn't expecting it, and I closed the book in a little bit of shock.

It's more a mystery/thriller for this month, and Trust Your Eyes really delivers it.  And for my cousin who checks these things: It's not too long, so you'll be able to read it quickly and not be left wondering what's happening for too long.  I know suspense and you don't normally mix!

Please, come check out more on the book here and join the conversation with the BlogHer Book Club!

This is a sponsored review for the BlogHer Book Club. While compensation will be forthcoming for taking the time to write about the book, the opinions stated are all mine and mine alone

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Hello, September

I am ready for Fall.

Kinda.

While the weather change will be a welcome, I'm not looking forward to what I anticipate will be a fight with James.

He now heads for the door when it opens, and has gotten comfortable enough to walk over the threshold.  The outside world means rocks and leaves, and as those leaves fall to the ground he will be in heaven.

But as the weather changes, he will be burdened with something new:

Shoes.

We tried to slip on some to try on and the look he gave me was enough to let me know that it's going to be interesting.  And that we will need to look for velcro because he has this fascination with laces.  And pretty much any piece of string. 

He likes to lay them flat and straight and see if they move.

I dunno why, but he laughs at them, scrunches them up, and then does it again.

The best part of THIS Fall?

My brother is coming.  He will meet his nephew, who is going to love him!

So, let's get a move on and change seasons!