Growing fast...

Let's see - lil Riv is wearing his dad's old clothes in this picture - still adorable though.

He loves him some sweet potatoes. Starting to army crawl. Likes to spit.

In short, he is SO fun!

Christmas Gifts

River is turning into a total hambone...he started this crazy chewing thing at supper tonight that I just had to share with you.

You probably all know about my FAB Christmas gifts - I'm really loving this Mac so far. It doesn't seem to be too tricky to figure out either just in case anyone else is interested in getting one someday. And the video was taken on my new camera :).

With the frightful weather outside, it was quite lovely to spend an evening just hanging out at home, eating tomato soup and reading the new books I got Jeremy. I bought him Hell's Corner and American Assassin if anyone would like to borrow them sometime. I also got The Complete Book of Who's Who in the Bible and the Ultimate Bible Fact and Quiz Book. I would recommend them.

This little man is growing fast. I love the picture of him chewing on his crib. :) He was pretty happy to be sitting up with the aid of the boppy pillow.

But mainly for the one of you that doesn't get to see Riv on a biweekly basis, he is much more active and will probably fall out of the swing one of these days. I really should put it away except that he nows seems to enjoy it more than when he fit nicely in there. And the shower curtain picture showcases just how much he loves to lay on the floor in the bathroom and chew on the curtain. No idea why that should be so much fun but anyhoo...

Wes, you didn't get those pictures of Matthew to me in time. How hard is it to upload the pix to shutterfly? You have to get me real pictures now - not getting them printed for you. ("So there," she said in a petulant tone.)

The only other news is wedding plans. I had the *gasp* nerve to say on the way to Arlen's wedding on Sunday morning that I wasn't ready for Al to get married and JR said he was old enough and I pretty much just need to deal with whatever. As if Gimp had a clue. About anything. But really, I've had enough change in the family to tide me over for a while. I'm just afraid that ol' Al is going to head over to Dan's and decide that he might as well get married since he's out of his mom's way and doesn't want to cook or do laundry. And that Lake Tahoe seems like a good honeymoon destination. And whatnot.

Busyness

Last night I was reading my Parenting magazine and most of the articles made reference to how busy we are all the time and yet, each article talked about carving out more time for something. Take exercise for instance. One of the Parenting employees said that she was a single mother, working full time with a 2 1/2 hour commute. She wanted to spend more time with her 4 yr old son but ya know, she had to make some time to lose weight or tone up, whichever it was. It was insane.
So then today, Matti tells me that they're going to start building another farm at the beginning of the year, depending on the weather and when they can get started, and he'd like me to work 4 hours a day, and Riv would need to be left with a babysitter. Not sure how I feel about all this. I don't want to become one of those women who are so BUSY all the time that it's a feat just to spend time with my little guy. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

christmas 2010_2

Simply Sky Holiday

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Motherhood

Smirk! I was just delighting myself reading some smitten kitchen posts, specifically one about vanilla bean pear sauce for the baby which attracted my attention since I have some pears rattling around in the frig. Anyway some clever Alice left a comment about how she hopes to be a "hippie dippie" mom making her own baby food but will more likely count being vertical and coherent as a victory. I thoroughly enjoyed that as I feel rather like that this am. I had some big goals about getting up early and getting things DONE today. Alas River decided to wake up around 1:00 and eat. Then he slept in bed with me until 4:00 when I decided he really needed to get back in his crib. I finally got him to stay sleeping at 5:00. Then I was too awake to sleep myself (I really should have got up at this point and started roasted the squash, I know. I just kept thinking I would fall asleep at any moment.) and Riv woke up at 5:45. I gave up and let him stay in bed at that point.

Jeana came over and worked on coating more ceiling with me last night. I only have about half the boards left to coat. :) Jeremy told me yesterday that all the corbels need two coats of paint now. Ugh.

After working with Jeana yesterday, I was so glad to have my own sisters. Not that there's anything wrong with her, I just realize that I need girls who are like me :) and that I can yammer to about interesting things. So part of the reason I couldn't sleep last night is because I had this feeling that God, being perverse, would take away the people that I love the most. I couldn't stop obsessing over it, even though I know that God is not perverse. Oh, the thoughts that control one's mind in the wee hours of the morning.

monkey butt

For your benefit, Jen, so you can see how fast Riv is growing up! In the top picture, he is wearing a 6 month outfit - time is flying. He taking longer naps now :) and will play with his toys for a while. Finally he can grab and hold things decently. He's still not that great at it though.

I'm working on putting our engagement/wedding/honeymoon pictures together, a project that's been on my plate for like two years! And I'm filling out Riv's baby book and working on a small scrapbook for him. And as you know, I'm editing the stuff in my house. I think I've got the storage stuff down to the doll that Grandma Bauman gave me (what shall I do with it?) and one of Dad's hats and a fish bowl that I have an idea for but not doing anything with it for the time being.

My little weasel has a cold right now and isn't sleeping the greatest. And last night, he whined unless he was being held so I'm a little sleep deprived right now. You wouldn't know by looking at these pictures that he could be such a little weinie...

Ty made the coolest sock monkey for him - it's now living on Riv's book shelf.

In other news - I will be painting Azek for the house this weekend and trying to get the porch floor stained with the help of Brenda and my mother in law.

For those of you ordering Christmas gifts/pictures - there are lots of Labor Day sales online. Free shipping and if you are an ebates person, you get double cash back this weekend! :)

Baby baby

I love this kid! He just keeps getting cuter all the time...Is that enough maternal chattering?

I spring cleaned our bedroom today and filled in all the nail holes. Boring. I'm just going to go one room at a time and maybe I'll get it done. Ugh, it took me all day.

Tomorrow Wendy and I are doing salsa and sometime this week I need to do peaches.

The last picture of River is his expression while watching the lights swinging over the kitchen table. And the middle one is his 2 month picture. :) Love those Jafar lips!

Sweet lil' River

Riv has been a little angel baby today - he took a 2 1/2 hour nap this morning, he's back to pooping regularly, and he had a full tummy in the above pictures. No wonder he has a big grin, right? Thanks to his model behavior, I got about 50 thank yous, made, written, and sent today.

I accidentally deleted all the pictures that were on my camera this morning :( but most of them were from vacation so hopefully someone will share theirs with me.

This little dude is going to get a bath and then he'll get ready for church. Hopefully he'll be wearing some new shoes tonight!

Your stop for all things River...

He's one month old now! And starting to smile but only when he feels like it. :) I love him just a little more every day...he's getting more fun with time. And I have 10 more years to enjoy the fun stage according to Dad.

I made 100 little cups of panna cotta yesterday with the help of Jeana and Jenna. Wendy's offspring were also here being little pestilences. Except for Kenny who ate lunch without whining, picked up trash without whining, and carried in groceries without whining. He should get a tally mark for his good work.

Riv's dr. appt. was cancelled today because Dr. Austman was otherwise occupied at the hospital. So I go on Thursday. And then we leave Friday for Branson.

Isn't he the cutest little thing? Life with an infant is starting to be a little more normal. For instance, today Wendy and I actually froze green beans. And I made some food for the first time in like 3 weeks. Spaghetti carbonara for lunch. :) Soon, I hope, my life will find a routine. One where I actually get stuff done in a day, like I used to.

River Russell

My little turtle baby is doing pretty well. He doesn't sleep so great in his OLD crib thingie, not that I blame him. The mattress seems pretty uncomfortable so he ends up sleeping in bed with us a lot, especially since I know that he'll settle down and I can sleep for a little bit anyway.

Otherwise, it's business as usual. I tend to get up later than I used to and just eating breakfast this morning was a little bit tricky but we'll get all these things worked out.

Al is here right now - doing his little bit on the couch, Lisa! :)

Jenna got the mobile done so hopefully we'll be able to hang it up tonight. I'll post a picture later.

Thanks to all of you for the meals, gifts, and help! Nothing like family!

Progress

So...I'm interested in knowing what you think of the house color. Jeremy thinks it might be a little dark for him plus he's not sure it will look good with the shingle color now. I happen to be extremely fond of it. I think it looks like an east coast house although Jeremy was quick to point out that we don't live on the east coast. Whatever. I like it a lot.

Isn't this a sweet picture of Tory and Wendy? We ate at Reality Bites last Saturday night - a new experience for Tory. We need him to branch out just a little from his chain restaurants.

Roofing on Saturday. Thanks SO MUCH for helping on a roasting day. (And I hear that Jeremy wasn't in the finest of moods either.) We are indebted to our fine friends.

Anyone else wake up from the hurricane gale early this morning? I thought for sure something was going to blow away or get knocked over but my potted herbs miraculously survived and all the ladders and scaffolding are still in the same position this morning as they were last night.

And for the record, Simon is turning into a little weasel. He was making fun of Kenny yesterday for having to wear pull ups. I guess they can't stay sweet forever.

Life in the slow lane...

Now that I'm officially done at Pekara, I have all kinds of time to get things done. Which means that I spend more money - finally getting the things that I've been mulling over the last few months. Curtains, curtain rods, etc. (!) I get 20% more thank you points in the next 3 months though which is cool.

The top pictures is me with my coworkers. Emily, Veronica, Seka, Alla, and Alaa. It's a rather hideous picture of all of us, I don't mind saying.

Baby's room! I found curtain fabric which I'm hoping my mother-in-law will help me with and I found some curtain rods today. And Jen and I whipped up some pillows the other day for the bed. Sad to say, I'm getting a little bit too much brown and cream in that room. I like brown too much.

And last night Jeremy hung up the shelf over the changing table and added some cool things. I keep giving him a hard time about not having a cool embroidered picture to put on the shelf with mine. He loves that.

I pulled my little dresses out this morning and am sad to note the barf stains on them so I'm going to attempt to get them out. Icky.

Started packing for the hospital last night.

Looks like Jeremy's roofing supplies just arrived. He's not working on it this weekend though - can't find enough help.

Johnny Cash - I'm Free From The Chain Gang Now

Johnny Cash - I'm Free From The Chain Gang Now

I'm liking this song right now. Have a listen!

Why is the week gorgeous until the weekend rolls around? And then it's windy, cloudy, and cold (even if just comparatively)? Better luck next weekend, I guess.

The top picture is of this great little Greek cafe by Harkness Beach in CT. And Sarah got a chicken sandwich there...apparently she gets them every time she eats out so she is now an EXPERT on chicken sandwiches.

Jamarcus (actually I'm not sure what his real name is but this one works well) helping us fly the kite at the beach.

The Inn at Turkey Hill in PA - very cool. And cheap!

Me, large as a barge.

Thursday night, when Jeremy made a picnic supper! How kind of him...for some reason as of late, I've had NO imagination when it comes to making supper.

Week in the life

I always forget this posts the first pictures I upload at the tail end of the photo stream...

I'm attempting another week in the life journaling. So far, it hasn't been bad although I keep forgetting to take pictures of things.

My days are full. I feel like I've been in a hurry to get things done this week - I get home from my jobs after 5 most of the time. Monday Gary and Betsy came out to help with the house and for supper. Tuesday I had a Dr. appt, and then errands to run - a tire to drop off and pick up again, garage sale items to drop off, and pizza to pick up and get back home around 6. Jason, Ernest, Shane A. and his offspring were here for supper. Wednesday Calvin decided to come for supper. But...it was just the 2 of us tonight!

And John wondered why I was so anxious to head home today. Honestly, I am SO glad I'm not working tomorrow. Dan and Rachel Pamer are coming out Saturday so I need to get the house ready for guests.

After all this whining (yes, I know, I'm being very self-indulgent), I came across a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that helped me chill just a bit:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

And we are taking the nephs to the Gamma Phi Circus in Normal tomorrow!!!!!!!!! Looking forward to tomorrow...

As promised, a new post!

So what do you think of my gorgeous and homemade china hutch? Jen probably needs to come and help me arrange my dishes more creatively and attractively.

The second picture is our fried goat cheese appetizer at The Bread Company in Champaign. Quite delicious.

And the papier mache gazelle is from Anthro. I'm hoping that I can recreate something like that in the future for a fraction of what this little guy would cost me.

Was this short enough for you, Wesley?