New Trucks

Reed and I had a busy day of playing outside. He's doing much better with his car - no meltdowns today. Mom's doing better with dealing with his frustration fits, too, which helps. We met Ashley and Logan at the park this afternoon to play but didn't get in too much fun before the rain started. Reed and Logan actually played together which was fun to watch. But Reed's a little timid when it comes to roughhousing, so we'll need work on his toughness.

Tonight Neil, Reed and I walked down to the neighbors garage sale. We ended up finding a few trucks for Reed, which we got for a steal! We brought them home, cleaned them up, and he had fun playing with him the rest of the night. Each night he's allowed to take one or two toys with him to bed. He'd been taking his little cars to bed for the past week or so. Tonight he decided he wanted to take his new trucks to bed. So he picked up each truck, one at a time, and walked them over to the stairs.

I don't know what's wrong with the photo uploader but I've tried numerous times to upload these images (which are perfect on my computer) but they won't upload correctly.

After a good laugh and Reed being quite pleased with himself for getting them all to the stairs, I carried them up to his room and set them on the floor by his bed. Obviously that wasn't what he had in mind so he picked each one up and put it in his bed. He didn't want rocked or anything so I left him basically like this:

This picture was blurry because he was moving around but I don't know what's up with the color issue. Again, it's the photo uploader.

We'll have to see where the trucks are in the morning.

Sicky icky...

Reed was sick all last week. I'm not sure what he had or where he picked it up but it wasn't a welcome guest in our home. We've been indoors a lot over the past seven days and it's been interesting. He's been playing a lot with his farm and animals. He likes to line his animals up in a row - then move them from the couch to the love seat to the chaise lounger. He cracks me up! When I saw this I had to capture it! The sheep must have been misbehaving.

We played a lot with animals (he knows almost all of his animals and their sounds - "heehaw" is my favorite by far), spent a lot of time counting (he can get up to 20 - with help), have started working on letters (these have proven quite tough), and watched our fair share of Sesame Street, WordWorld, Veggie Tales, Nemo, and Monster's Inc. Very thankful that he's feeling better!

During the past week he woke up almost every night coughing. On Saturday night Reed woke up at about 4:30 am coughing and Neil went in to rock him. He pulled his blanket off of him and Reed moved only enough to grab his blanket back and told Neil, "No, nigh nigh". Neil put the blanket back and left the room. I overheard everything on the monitor...cracked me up! What a stinker!

He's become quite opinionated as of late and likes having options to choose from. He started wanting to pick out his shirt in the morning. I likes shirts with footballs, baseballs and basketballs on them. He's completely adorable.

I bought him a Little Tikes Coupe today. He loves getting in and out of the car. He doesn't have the hang of going forward yet but it came with a removable "floor board" so I can push him around in the car. Lessons that I learned today from Reed's first experience with the new car: (1) Reed knows what he wants and what he doesn't want; (2) Reed gets frustrated very easily; (3) Reed shows his frustration by screaming and whining; (4) When he doesn't get what he wants he puts his head on the wheel of the car and sobs; and (5) I almost set the car by the curb. Okay, it wasn't that bad but it was trying! Goodness! I had no idea the car would cause such drama. I suppose it's a learning experience for us both.

We'll see what lessons the car teaches us tomorrow.

Growing up fast...

Reed is growing up so fast. It seems like he's learning multiple new words a day - without my intentionally teaching them to him. It's exciting and scary at the same time because I really have to watch what I say and how I act. He picks up on everything...yes, everything. He's started scolding the girls (Lucy Lu and Kona Butt) like we do...funny, but not necessarily good. He talks nonstop...loves birdies and trees, his tractor, books, Melmo, Cookie, Larry, Bob, Lucy Lu and Nona.

He also loves spending time with Bebe (Grampy and Grammy) and Gug (Uncle Doug). He loves his Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dan, too...he just doesn't see them very often (we usually only see them for lunch on Sunday).

It's getting more difficult when Neil travels, too. He misses his daddy. We Skype but it's not the same and I think it might actually make it harder on him. I knew it would start getting more difficult when Neil left but guess I didn't think it'd happen so fast. That seems to be a common theme around here...everything is just happening too fast. I feel like I'm missing a lot because I haven't been documenting as much as I thought I would. Not sure why...but I'm trying to blog more frequently and have been scrap booking at night to try and capture all of these precious memories.

Been struggling lately...same old struggle of trying to plan out my own life. I know God's just laughing at me and wondering when I'll learn that He's in control. I know his timing is perfect, I just wish I knew what His timing looked like...a detailed itinerary would be great! Maybe that's what I should start praying for (kidding of course...but it would be nice!).

No More Cheese, Please

Never a dull moment...especially when Neil's out of town. 

Today's entertainment: Reed had a snack of cheese and crackers before his nap at 11 am. Right before we went up to go "nigh, nigh" he asked for another piece of cheese. I figured there was no harm in him taking a piece of cheese to bed with him...I figured he eat it before he fell asleep. He slept a long time today...over 2 hours (I didn't know what to do with myself). I decided to wake him about 1:30 pm. I opened the shade in his room and went over to rub his back and saw this nasty stuff on his t-shirt. I looked closer and realized it was the cheese! There was melted cheese all over his shirt and sheets. He had his "nigh, nigh" up by his head but when he sat up I saw the whole right side of his head was full of cheese! I laughed so hard! It was hysterical. I went to the bathroom and got a comb to get the cheese out of his hair and when I got back he just kept repeating, "cheese? cheese?". We changed his shirt, stripped his bed, and I cleaned the cheese out of his hair. One of those memories I don't want to forget. If I'd have had my wits about me I definitely would've taken some pictures! Next time (because I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be many more next times).

Winter

I love the winter. Okay, I may not use love to describe this winter but, truly, winter is second only to fall. I simply cannot wait until Reed is old enough to enjoy playing outside in the snow! Neil and I tried to bundle him up for one of the first snows and to say he didn't enjoy it could possibly be the understatement of the year. He threw a major fit but it was worth it to capture this adorable picture!

Next year we'll be outside playing in the snow. I hope he ends up enjoying the winter like his mommy. I'm so excited to build our first snowman!

We're finishing our basement and doing all of the work ourselves. We started the beginning of December and are getting ready to drywall. Neil's gotten all of the framing and insulation finished...electrical is wired. Tomorrow he'll be installing the ceiling lighting. Tonight we went and ordered the fireplace and mantel...it's gorgeous! I'm super excited about the playroom that will house all of the Reed's toys (they'll be out of our main living area)! Neil will finally have a "real" office...the Lord knows he deserves it (and, yes, we're soundproofing that room). And I even get a small area to call my own! I can't wait!!! I haven't been able to help him as much as I'd like to because of my mom's health. But he's made great progress working on weekends/weeknights when he's not traveling. He's such a hard worker.

I'm almost finished with our master bedroom and bathroom "redesign". I just have a tiny bit of painting left and them I'll post pictures. I'm very pleased with the results. Painting the furniture took more time than I'd anticipated but it looks great. Next on my project list is the guest bathroom followed by the laundry room. We've got to build up the balance of the home account before I tackle those.

I'm also seriously considering becoming a Pampered Chef representative. I've got to make calls to potential babysitters in the neighborhood this week and have another chat with Neil before I make a final decision. I think I'd really enjoy it. After all, I do love to cook! We'll see. Just praying that I'm going in the direction God wants me to. Been overcome with the feeling that I should be doing something more...hard to explain. Anyway...I'll definitely be making a decision within the next two weeks.

As much as I love winter and snow, I'm still praying we don't get the blizzard that's forecasted for tonight/tomorrow/Wednesday. So thankful Neil's not traveling this week.

Oh, and today Reed and I went to our first Kindermusik class. We both had a wonderful time! Look forward to class next week. He'll be singing before we know it!!

Running Around

My baby is growing up! Reed's been walking for about a week and he's so stinking cute!  He's such a little blessing and a BIG ham! He fake coughs and clears his throat about 20 times per day (at least), and then looks at me to see if I'll laugh (which I always do...and, yes, I know I shouldn't encourage him but it's just so funny!). He can make it from the kitchen to the stairs in seconds...I seriously don't know how he does it! He's got quick legs (I'm sure Neil would insert a sports reference here...that he'll be a big time receiver or something). He's obsessed with the refrigerator - if it's open for more than 5 seconds he'll be standing inside on the little ledge. He plays peek-a-boo a lot and LOVES chasing me around the kitchen. Hands down, the best sound I've ever heard in my entire life is his laughter...it's the deepest joy I've ever experienced.

It's official, Reed and I are registered for Kindermusik's spring semester. I've heard a lot of good things about it and am excited to give it a try! He loves music and I love giving him numerous opportunities to interact with other adults and kids around his age. I love the fact that he spends time with a very diverse group of kids at the gym's childcare and the nursery at Eastview. I'm so thankful the gym has childcare...for more reasons than just that I can get a workout in. It's really good for Reed to have the exposure. And the workers there are absolutely amazing! I have no idea how they remember the names of all the kids they care for, but they do. They are an incredible group of women!

A couple days ago we went with Gammy (my mom) to Eastland mall and Reed was a crazy walking machine. I love the smile he brings to the faces of everyone he meets.After the mall, we dropped Gammy off and headed home. Reed fell asleep on the way home (in his new Britax Marathon 70 "big boy" car seat), stayed asleep while I got him out of his car seat, and didn't even wake up when I laid him down on the chaise lounger. This picture just says it all! He was wiped out! This walking thing is a lot of work! LOL!

Fear & Friendship

It's that time of year again. Time to take stock of life...something I do more than once a year, but always do in January. I have so many things to be thankful for - I'm loved by an incredible God and am free to worship Him, have an wonderful husband, an amazing son, a loving family, my health and the health of my loved ones, financial stability - just to name a few. I know that I'm blessed and have no right to complain which makes it difficult to actually put into words what's been bothering me the last several months. It's not so much a complaint as it is confusion about an unfulfilled desire of my heart. I deeply desire relationship in the form of a true friend (separate from my amazing husband).

When I was a little girl I remember making friends easily. But when I was in fifth grade an event took place that obliterated my trust in others. I withdrew and became suspicious of anyone that gave me attention...and basically from that point forward fear prevented me from letting anyone know me. It's amazing how things that happen in your childhood can alter your entire life experience. Children are so impressionable...so vulnerable. Basically, I have not had a true best friend since I was a little girl - a friend that truly loved me (blemishes and all). 

I realize that this is my own fault. I let fear control me and built walls...tall, thick, reinforced walls. And I carry a lot of guilt associated with my self-imposed isolated life. But I am at a point in my life when I desire to know people and for them to know me. I desire relationships where honesty/accountability is expected and appreciated. I desire relationships that challenge me to become a better person. The main stumbling block in fulfilling these desires is the fact that I literally have no idea how to make true friends. My does that sound silly. I know how to make acquaintances...but friends are different. I desire someone that I can call (outside of my family) when I'm struggling. A friend that won't judge me. A friend that will always answer the phone when I call. A friend that will want to hear what I have to say. A friend that will give me the benefit of a doubt but call me out when I need to be called out. Basically, a friend that will love me for me...the good and the bad. 

Over the past several months I've been trying to get to know people. I've put myself out there and taken risks that I would have never taken in the past. I joined a mom's group through church, I'm talking to familiar faces at the gym, I actually approach familiar faces to say hello when I'm out and about (something that always terrifies me...intellectually I know this fear is ridiculous), I've invited people to do things. So I have made progress in the past months but have also been hurt, which has been incredibly difficult for me because of my past. I've found myself stuck...lost when it comes to determining when a relationship goes from acquaintance to friend. I guess I feel like it should just happen on it's own...but it hasn't. I honestly just don't know how the process works. I'm so embarrassed to even write this...

I know that God knows the desires of my heart. I know that He wants to fulfill those desires and that I need to follow Him in order for that to happen. So I guess my prayer is that I'd trust Him wherever he leads me, that I'd be more courageous...that I'd take more risks...be more vulnerable...put myself out there...and rest in the fact that He will protect me so I should not be afraid.