Spicy Magnolia

San Antonio Excursion

Slowly, ever so slowly we are emerging once again from the land of germs and sickness. Is it normal for a baby to be sick every 2-3 weeks? Because that’s what it feels like we’re averaging around here ever since November. Seriously, we have one or two good weeks and then bam! The germs get the better of us. Last Friday we headed to San Antonio to spend spring break with Pops and Meems when Brennan’s fever struck again. It eventually turned into a double ear infection and some slight wheezing. He was so potent, Pops and Meems are now on antibiotics as well and Matt is down for the count also. So far, I’ve been able to withstand the nasty virus, which is a very good thing. But I tell you what, I lean towards OCD tendencies, and all these bouts of sickness aren’t helping matters. Germ-o-phobe in the making!!

In addition to being sick, Brennan also has at least 6 new teeth coming in all at the same time! I kid you not, it feels and looks like his whole bottom row of teeth (except for the three front ones he already has) are breaking through. How the little boy has been able to be as happy and energetic as he has through the past week is beyond me. I would’ve declared myself entitled to days in bed, watching movies, and used it as an excuse to do nothing. But no, his energy level grows exponentially. 

Ok, before I move onto pics from San Antonio, there are several, no, make that many things, that I could include in a Not Me! post since the first one I wrote way back when. One took place last Thursday as I was cleaning out our bathroom cabinets. I have a little boy who loves to help me. He’s meticulous about where he places things, even putting things back in the same place he found them, or finding a special new place for them. He loves to help me vacuum and use the Swiffer on the floors. He simply wants to do anything I’m doing. But cleaning out the cabinets, well, it just needed to be done by me, myself and I. So what did I do? I found the most entertaining toy to occupy the boy. If you’re a male, I’m sorry. I really am. And Matt, I’m even more sorry to you. But it worked.

From the box to the sink. From the sink to the box. It bought me a good 20 minutes.

 

Besides Brennan not feeling so hot, we had a fabulous time in San Antonio where we were spoiled with lots of yummy food, lovies, breaks from taking care of the kiddo, and great outings. Here are some snippets from our time there. By the way, I’m trying to get back into taking a photo a day for “Project Life”, but the last month of battling illnesses has put a damper on it. I think you’d get tired of me taking pictures of things like Motrin, a thermometer, a diaper of diarrhea (ew, gross!), my pockets full of dirty Kleenex, etc… Yes, I’m being dramatic. <grin>

These are the non-tampon, male-friendly pictures from San Antonio:

Brennan and I drove down Friday morning and visited Meems at her school, getting to meet her kiddos and the other teachers who couldn’t get enough of Brennan. Meems made us a special dinner that night, eggplant parmesan, which Brennan devoured. He even helped tear the lettuce leaves for the salad, which was the best tasting, most special salad I’ve ever eaten.

At the end of February, my parents celebrated 33 years of marriage. That calls for a loud WHOOP! But because of you know what…sickness…we weren’t able to go down to San Antonio to do what we originally planned to celebrate. But we got to do it this past weekend. After my momma’s art class, we set up a surprise picnic with antipasto salad goodies and The Pioneer Woman’s blueberry cobbler. It was a gorgeous day!

 

No pictures from Saturday night, but hubby and I went out on a date!! We kissed outside on some steps underneath the stars, too. It was oh-so-lovely and romantic. <grin> Did that make you turn blush red, sweetie?

Sunday, we worked in the yard and Brennan helped Pops put rocks in a bucket that Pops and Meems are using to create a play space for Brennan in the backyard.

Monday, Meems took me and Brennan to the Witte Museum where they had an awesome dinosaur display on exhibit. Brennan was completely fascinated with the huge creatures that moved and made noise. At times, he just wanted to sit on the ground and stare. We also visited other parts of the museum that displayed the vast wildlife of Texas from snakes, to bears, to bison to birds. It was incredible.

  Sitting near a huge dinosaur print

 

Tuesday, we stayed home and snuggled because it was cooler and rainy, and it was obvious the boy wasn’t feeling too great. But he still was a happy camper who was absolutely enthralled with all of the puppies, throwing the ball constantly for Dapples, chasing Seymour, and patting Miss Elbee.

 

He also had a knack for putting things in special places. I’m sure Meems is still discovering his hiding places for remotes and hand cream.

Wednesday was our last full day in San Antonio. We played at an elementary school playground and then, based upon how the boy seemed, decided to take him to an urgent care facility. Since it was our last outing, we wanted to make it fun so we ate lunch at Grimaldi’s. Yum, Yum, Yum! The boy loves sausage pizza, so he had his own personal pizza and got his belly nice and full. We really were amazed at what a cute, good natured date he was despite a double ear infection!

We’re sorry that Pops and Meems are now sick, but we’re so grateful for all the lovies! Our time together was the perfect way to usher in spring, and we can’t wait to spend more time with them this summer!

Hoping ya’ll are nice and healthy and get to enjoy a special weekend with your loved ones!

ABC’s of Life

My blogging creativity is at a standstill. In fact, most of my blogging and Twitter activities are on hiatus. More about that for another time. For now, I will simply say it has most everything to do with So Long, Insecurity. If you’re a woman, buy it and read it. If you’re a man, particularly a married man, read your wife’s copy after she’s done with it. It will be a huge asset to living with your wife in an understanding way.  My promotion of the book is not about the author, whom I deeply respect. It’s about the murky mires of insecurity, of chronic self-consciousness where perfection is its best cover, and the bondage it has over our lives. I am one of its poster children. But, and that’s a big BUT, we have a God-given right to live as secure, confidently humble people. And that’s what I want. I trust this is the beginning of something new in my life that I hope to share with you as the Lord permits. For now, I’m going to borrow a post idea from Lindsee Lou that I saw on her blog a few weeks ago. I thought it was quite clever.

 

A is for adoption, the miracle of adoption. We have friends awaiting a call they could receive any day now telling them that their second baby boy is being delivered, whereupon they’ll drive from PA to MI to welcome him into their family. This sweet couple, friends of Amanda, is raising funds to help with their adoption by selling t-shirts. Ya’ll, I’ve witnessed firsthand the astounding testimony it is to adopt, having walked with a friend through her journey, even getting to hear the cries over the phone of a dream fulfilled as she received the news that she and her husband had been chosen by a birth mother to raise her little girl. It marked me forever. Consider helping.

 

B is for beautiful, beautiful day. It’s gorgeous here, ya’ll! Winter has melted and spring has arrived.

 

C is for the chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake I have to make this weekend. Pray for me. I really, really want to be good and not have any, ‘cause you know that spring weather I mentioned, well my body is not ready for non-winter clothes that are not as forgiving.

 

D is for drastic change. I want drastic change in my life, freedom from insecurity and the pride that keeps me bound up in it.

 

E is for the E.R. visit that we made last Thursday morning. You know the week where all of us were sick? Well, we had a few good days and then Brennan got sick again, this time with 3 days of fever over 103. Our doctor said he just picked up something new, but after the third day when he woke up moaning, I was simply scared. So we went to the E.R. where they drew blood (twice) and said his white blood cell count was elevated, so they proceeded to do a chest x-ray and retrieve a urine sample in a most unpleasant way. My boy was put through the gamut of tests and finally received antibiotics through an IV. He turned a corner the next day, thanks be to God.

 

F is for friends I am thankful for. Friends that I ache for. Friends that I cry out to God on their behalf to rescue them from unemployment, from cancer, from the pain of separation and broken marriages. I ache for my friends.

 

G is sadly for the number of grey hairs I am discovering. In case you weren’t sure, my hair color is not natural. When it comes time to recolor my hair, I notice there are more and more grey hairs appearing. Both Gaga and my momma were prematurely grey. I’m afraid to find out if I should be telling people my natural hair color is not light brown but grey.

 

H is for hair: curly, black-haired girls that I seem to have an affinity for making them my closest friends. Corrie and Jill, are cases in point.

 

I is for one of my favorite chores: ironing. Well, it’s only my favorite because I can do it while watching T.V. This week’s show of choice while ironing: Lost. By the way, I have a prediction. I think Jack will be the new Jacob and Sawyer will be the new man in black. What do ya think?

 

J is for Jesus. I love Jesus.

 

K is for the African country, Kenya, where a team of Compassion bloggers just arrived. Read some posts about their trip and look at the pictures of the beautiful people of Kenya. There is a whole lotta world out there besides our corner of it.

 

L is for losin’ it. Brennan loses it nearly every time Matt leaves for work. It’s painfully crushing to watch him chase after Matt and melt down into a ball of tears as his daddy walks out the door. If Matt’s holding him while saying ‘goodbye’, the boy will resist being transferred to my arms with crocodile tears streaming down his face. It’s bittersweet to me. I love that that boy is crazy about his daddy and runs into his arms to welcome him home. But it’s so sad for me to watch and have to pick up the pieces of a sad boy crying, sitting in front of the garage door as Matt leaves for the day.

 

M is for Matthew 25: 34-46, verses that have kept coming up in my life over the past three weeks. They’re gettin’ my attention.

 

N is for Brennan’s crazy nap schedules. For a week and a half, he’s given me signs he’s ready to drop his morning nap, which we have for three days this week, successfully. But today and yesterday, he took a morning nap. Is this normal? Do I stick with skipping the morning nap or what? He’s so young, I would think he still needs a morning nap, but it’s more often a miss than a hit. Suggestions?

 

O is for The Office. We’re kinda sad the Olympics are over, but last night, the baby episode of The Office was on, and I LOVED it!  I cringed and wiggled throughout it as it completely unnerved me.  Between Dwight’s demolition which reminded me of our house flood, and Pam’s struggle to nurse, which was well, ahem, my struggle to nurse (except she got her baby to finally latch), I’m unraveled from the very core of my being (in a good Office fashion)!!!!!!

 

P is for praying before meals in which Brennan ends the prayer with a grunting noise, which is his attempt at saying, “Amen”. It’s the best ever!

 

Q is for quacking…and mooing, barking, meowing, roaring…all of the animal sounds I make these days. You’d think I’d be a professional animal sound maker by now. But sadly, I’m not.

 

R is for our friend, Robert. I’ve written about him before. The update: after a round of chemo, two rounds of high-dose chemo, intensive surgery, and another round of chemo, each of these various treatments have failed. Robert and Aimee are now praying about the next step, which may consist of clinical treatments. There is a group of friends and family praying for Robert and Aimee and their three kiddos this weekend. Please consider joining us.

 

S is for spring break!! In a week, Brennan and I will head to San Antonio to be with Pops and Meems. We’re stoked!

 

T is for toilet paper, the glorious invention of toilet paper! After waiting to buy paper products last month, without totally incriminating myself, we really needed TP last Saturday. Really, really. I’ve never been more excited to go to Target. After reading my post, my Momma had great concern that my pathetic state of not getting up to get Kleenex was a reflection of her parenting. <grin> She did raise me better. She is a lady. So were my grandmothers. It skipped my generation. You may have been as concerned as she was, but don’t fret. She bought us enough paper products so I don’t have put my family in a TP/Kleenex-less predicament again. <grin>  Thanks, Momma!

 

U is for unpredictable. Such is my life these days.

 

V is for Miss Molly’s vomit, which is unexplainable and happens too often. Poor puppy!! She’s always had a sensitive tummy, but it’s off the charts these days. I will pay an arm and a leg for Nature’s Miracle. That stuff is awesome.

 

W is for Wheaton. Matt’s 10 year college reunion is this fall, and we’re so excited to go back and hang out with all our buddies! Never mind that we’re old.

 

X is for xenodochial, something I hope to be.

 

Y is for yodeling. I’m a really good yodeler. Not.

 

Z is for my boy who zooms everywhere!  He is fast, ya’ll. I’ve had several people comment that he is an unusually good walker for his age. I even had one friend with grown children tell me in all seriousness as she watched him zoom by that she was going to start praying for me every day.

 

I hope ya’ll are doing well, and have a great weekend!

 

A Texas Winter Wonderland (of Sorts)

Girls in white dresses and blue satin sashes; snow flakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes…These are a few of my favorite things.

Oh yes, friends, for all you in the frozen tundra up north who are aching for spring, this southern girl prayed for a long, cold winter, the coldest we’ve seen in years. Well, ladies and gents, I’ve been blessed; it’s been a nice, long winter and God gave me one more winter gift: snow! Fluffy, gloriously large flakes of white softness fell from the sky off and on during the day. It was a day to sit in wonder, staring out the window in silent awe. It was also a day to go outside and play, to introduce Brennan to the phenomenal white stuff that graces these parts once in a blue moon.

We didn’t stay outside too long because after recuperating from last week’s viruses, little Brennan woke up with a fever that reached to nearly 102 degrees. So back to the doctor we went. It’s been a good 9 years since I’ve driven in snow living in Chicago. But it wasn’t that bad, and the doc confirmed that he picked up a new virus. So we’re staying put for a couple of days. Before I get to the pictures, I wanted to mention that for at least the next few weeks, I’m taking a break from reading other people’s blogs. Hence, no comments on your blogs. But maybe I’ll catch you on Twitter or Facebook, or better yet, face-to-face!

Take in the beauty, or if you’re sick of snow, just amuse me for awhile <grin>:

Everyone in town was probably sitting on pins and needles waiting to know if school and work were going to be canceled. Matt kept refreshing his work email every five minutes to no avail. We waved goodbye to our special man, who was at least able to see the flakes through his office window (which he didn’t have for many years at his other job).

 

 

A Texas Winter Wonderland

 

 

Kids aren’t the only ones who like the snow. Big, furry Labrador Retrievers like it, too. Eventually, her muzzle wasn’t the only thing white on her.

 

 

Here’s a boy who doesn’t feel well and is ready for a nap. A boy who was happiest today in my lap reading books.

 

 

When Daddy wrapped up work, he couldn’t resist bundling up his boy to make Brennan’s first snowman. Evan, our 3 year old neighbor buddy made the cutest snowman you can see in the left-hand corner.

 

 

It’s February. And there is snow on the ground. There is something seriously wrong with this picture.

 

 

Brennan’s first snow/grass man! Isn’t it handsome!? Brina is a little girl who lives across the street. She loves to come over and play with Brennan and Molly when we’re out front. She made the head. Unlike Evan’s complete snowman, ours lacks eyes. And a nose. And arms.

 

 

 

I’m actually not quite sure who the boys are, but these three kiddos made this snowman on the other side of our yard that got a decent amount of the white stuff. So we have three awesome snowmen in our near vicinity that make us smile. They won’t last as long as Kelly’s snowman though, no sir-ee. We will bid farewell to them tomorrow.

 

 

Getting warm by the fire. After his bath, this is what the scene looked like again in our house except that I was holding Brennan and all the lights were off so he could fall asleep while we said his bedtime prayers, thanking God for the snow! What a delightful day, even with a sick lad.

 

Now that we’ve had a solid winter, complete with snowflakes that stayed on my nose and eyelashes, the silver white winter is welcome to melt into spring.

 

Compassion by Command: A Start

God is trying to get my attention on something. How do I know that? Well, for the past few weeks, a common theme has been reoccurring in the things that I read, the things that I listen to, and conversations I’ve had with friends without any effort or intention on my part. We are taking a class called “Compassion by Command” at church, and we met together for the first time last Sunday. But the week prior to meeting and even into this past week, the theme of compassion for the poor and the unlovely has reverberated throughout my heart and mind. I can’t escape it. And it’s obvious the Lord doesn’t want me to. There is something that He wants me to know, to enter into experience with Him when it comes to compassion.

Ya’ll, I am not even going to begin to broach this subject with you. At least not yet. Because one of the reasons I was interested in the “Compassion by Command” class is because I run a deficit in compassion towards the poor. I see them. But I don’t. I want to do something. But I’m too scared too. Or don’t know where to begin. Or am afraid I'm going to mess up and make things worse. As I drive through town with Brennan in the back seat, my eyes and heart are awakened to the world on a whole new level. I hope we will teach him well how to love the poor. But do I? I pray he will give of himself to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked. But do I? It’s time for some shakin’ up, for some change in my heart, and it’s quite apparent that the Lord is the One initiating this in me.

Here's a place to start for me to start. I may not live in Nashville or L.A., but I can still watch the live stream. And I can still make the effort to not forget what happened:

Help Haiti February 27th - HelpHaitiLive.com from Compassion International on Vimeo.

You can buy tickets to an event in Nashville or L.A., or you can go here and watch the live stream on February 27th to see artists such as Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Rebecca St. James, and Jars of Clay.

Gross and Pathetic, but (hopefully) Funny

Hello, dear Internet peeps! What plans do you have for today?

Can you guess what ours are? 

If you guessed that we’re headed out of town for a family getaway, you guessed wrong. If you think we’re gonna clean house again like we did last week, you’re out of your ever lovin’ mind (Beth Moore used that phrase in a chapter I just read in So Long, Insecurity, and I wanted to use it <grin>). If you guessed we’re packing boxes to move to Colorado like I’d mentioned a few posts back. Well…you’re wrong. <grin> Running a marathon? Hardly. Seeing a movie? We’d need a babysitter. Any volunteers?

Have you guessed it yet?

We’re staying home and doing nothin’! Nothin’! It may or may not include us staying in our PJs all day. It probably will. It may mean getting outside to work in the yard a bit. Only if the sun comes out, which is unlikely. It definitely includes watching some Olympics. And it may or may not include me indulging in some breakfast burritos from Chick-fil-A. It will. It most certainly will, since my hubby and Brennan just left on a “man run” to bless their girl with her most favorite treat on the planet right now!

All three of us have been down-and-out with sickness this week. We sound pathetic, ya’ll. We look pathetic. We are pathetic. I’ve never seen so much nose goobers in all my life. And I’ve never had to touch someone else’s nose goobers until Brennan; I’ve wiped away more of his goobers than I’d like to admit, using my own hands so my boy didn’t look quite as pathetic as he would with nose goobers dripping down from his nostrils. My clothes had spots on them where I could point out to you the places where Brennan left his mark with either nose goobers or drool, or where I simply took the nose goobers from Brennan and wiped them on my pants. Pathetic, I tell ya! I won’t even go into telling you about the time that I was too lazy to get a Kleenex and had to be creative with my own goobers. Brennan seriously looked at me with disgust and confusion. Why is Momma doing that with her hands? No, Momma, no! That’s just wrong, Momma! Please, no!

I’m trying to be super good with our budget this year. Cleaning and supplies is one category I always get in trouble with (figuratively, not literally). I’d reached our max for the month a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been dead-set on not going over, even if it meant telling Matt we’re rationing out toilet paper and Kleenex for the duration of February. I think we’re gonna be ok on the TP, but Matt drew the line with the Kleenex after spending a day blowing his nose with paper towel that felt like sand paper. While we’ve probably used a whole tree’s worth of tissue this week, our noses are ever grateful.

My friend Jill was brave enough to send her Haddie-belle over here for a few hours to play on Thursday, more out of necessity than anything else that particular day. Bless little Haddie’s heart. That’s when, in a span of 7 minutes, Haddie was witness to Brennan slipping and sliding in the greasy oil pan for the car in the garage; and as I was stripping him down to his diaper before going inside, I noticed he had a nasty dirty diaper that needed immediate changing because the nastiness was in places it shouldn’t have been; and while changing said diaper, Molly proceeded to throw up--twice. It was a beeeautiful day, peeps. I’m tellin’ ya. Haddie was the bright spot of the day, that precious one was.

Yesterday, Brennan went to play with Harrison and Haddie while I took Molly to the vet. The vet that is 45 minutes from our house. The vet that we’ve used since we were given Molly when she was two (she’s now 8.5). The vet that I can’t bring myself to stop going to because she knows Molly and her history so well. The vet that I call to have them mail more of Moos’ meds to us because it’s easier than making the 1.5 hour drive. The vet that seemingly prefers animals over children, hence one of the reasons I left Brennan at Jill’s. The vet who thinks, “Yeah, right this lady watches her dog like a hawk to make sure she doesn’t get any people food dropped by the baby.” I do, lady, I do! It’s exasperating, but I do! The vet who has such an effect on me as to draw out my chronic self-consciousness (aka insecurity) that I’m quaking in my tennies wondering if she thinks I still love and take good care of Molly, since I now have a human baby. Ya’ll, it’s pathetic.

After the vet, Molly and I scurried across town to pick up Brennan and then take him to his doctor’s appointment. I wanted to be sure he didn’t have an ear infection or somethin’ before heading into the weekend, because that would make us more pathetic. More miserable than anything else, I guess. We pulled into the parking lot where I almost ran over a UPS driver coming around the front of his big ol’ truck. He told me in so many words that it was a job hazard. I left Molly in the car since it was cool enough, and Brennan and I made our way into the doctor’s office. No ear infection for the boy, but I had my first dreadful introduction to the nebulizer to treat Brennan’s wheezing.

I know this is nothing new and no big deal, but for a first-time Momma going through it, having no idea what to expect, it was not fun. Brennan didn’t think it was fun either. My momma and another friend of mine are so good at being patient advocates and discerning if and when a medical treatment, and how they administer the treatment, is best for the patient. I have no clue. And it sends my blood pressure rising. So when my boy is screaming his head off while I’m trying to hold an oxygen mask to his face, the only thing going through my mind is: Does he have to do this? Should I tell them we’re not continuing with this treatment? Of course, they tell me, “Yes, he does need this.” But I had no clue what we were getting into. I finally had the forethought to start singing and that calmed him down, thankfully. The treatment didn’t help his wheezing, however. So we’re keeping a close eye on him this weekend to make sure it doesn’t get worse. And nurse Meghan knows exactly how to tell he’s wheezing when the doctor could only tell by using a stethoscope. Yeah, right.

By that time it was nearly 3 p.m. and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Wanna guess what place I hit? Yep, Chick-fil-A. I was starving. And well, I’m Meghan. And I look to food for comfort. I need to tell my South Beach Mama friends that this week was a bad week for me to start up a new plan. The rest of the afternoon, we hunkered down, snuggled, and read books. And I fed my hubby cereal for dinner. I’m such a prize, folks.

And that, dear friends, is why we’re gonna do absolutely nothin’ today. Not that we need a reason. But plenty are oozing around here.

Project Life: February 9-15, 2010

What a fun-filled week it was! It was a whirlwind and all the days seem to blend together, but these pictures will hopefully trigger at least some semblance of memory.

 

Tuesday, February 9

Brennan’s love for Molly keeps growing and growing! She’s his little playmate. He’s learning how to play tug of war with Molly’s pull-ball.

 

Wednesday, February 10

We went to a special four year old’s, Harrison’s, birthday party at Chuck E Cheese! It was Brennan’s first time there and he was on stimulation overload! He was also afraid of the big mouse, as you can tell from how tightly he’s grabbing hold of my shirt. Harrison is such a big boy now! He stopped using his paci and as a special moment to commemorate this right of passage, he gift-wrapped his paci and gave it to Brennan, wanting to pass it along to Brennan until he gets big. Harrison knows how much Brennan loves his paci. <grin> It was so precious! And way to go H!!

 

Thursday, February 11

It was cold and rainy all last week, so we did a lot of things indoors. Over the past week, Brennan has become infatuated with reading and books! He comes to us regularly with a book in hand, ready to crawl in our laps to read, and it’s so fun! So I decided it was time we hit the library. Plus, I wanted to check out some of the books my friend, Emily, recommended after she read my last Project Life post. While I tried to focus on finding certain books to check out for him, I had a little boy who was more interested in exploring. I was out of breath by the time we left that place; I couldn’t keep up with him fast enough! He was most fascinated with the children’s computers and played a coloring game on one for awhile.

Austin was nearly one of the only cities, so it seemed, that didn’t get any snow in last week’s Snowmegeddon. We were pretty sad about that. Matt’s folks sure got enough for all of us though. Nana got creative with her snowmen, making two snow grandsons (Brennan is the one with the blue eyes) that she sent a picture of. You can tell she’s grandson deprived! <grin>

 

 

Friday, January February 12

This was a special, special day. On Thursday, Brennan initiated feeding himself his oatmeal with a spoon. It was messy and thrilling and exciting and sticky. So we captured a photo of it on Friday. Notice how close my hands are to alleviate any unnecessary messes. <grin>

Brennan and I met up with Pops and Meems and our life-long, dear family friends, Ron and Tycha, at Panera’s. My folks came up for the night to be with Ron and Tycha who were in town visiting family. And Brennan and I were blessed to join them for the morning. Brennan was quickly declared their adopted grandson, and I couldn’t be more delighted! Tycha has battled breast cancer over the last few years, and Ron is currently battling an inoperable lung cancer. Their zest for life has always been an inspiration, and all the more so now. Their attitude and outlook is amazing, and a true example to me. I cherished the moment when Ron walked me and Brennan to the car, and as he shielded Brennan from the brisk, cold wind, he loved and kissed on him so tenderly. Ron stayed with me the entire time I loaded Brennan, and I will treasure that moment all my life. Brennan and I then had lunch with Pops and Meems at Chick-fil-A. It was Pops and Meems’ first time seeing Brennan walk, and I think Pops was worn out!

On Friday night, we joined Chris and Jill, Jillie’s folks, and Harrison and Haddie for an Olympic celebration dinner complete with Canadian bacon/pineapple pizza, salad, and amazing fondue (cheese and chocolate). We took Brennan’s pack n’ play to put him down so we can party as late as we want. I fell asleep around 9:30, however. What can I say? Every party needs a pooper.

 

Saturday, January February 13

All week long I’d been trying to make head-way cleaning this house from top to bottom, a thorough spring cleaning of sorts that was badly needed. Trust me, I had at least 12 filthy rags to prove it was needed! Brennan’s naps weren’t that great and I could only get so much done when he was awake. So Matt was kind enough to take care of him all day on Saturday so I could finish cleaning. I kid you not, I worked from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. cleaning this place. I crashed! And felt completely satisfied afterward. <grin> The last time I’d cleaned like that, Brennan was not mobile. Mobility makes a big difference, ya’ll! Anyway, Matt took Brennan to a little play area in the mall that I go to sometimes. It was Matt’s first time there and he got to see Brennan in action. The boys loved their day together!

 

 

Sunday, January February 14

He loves his books! This is a regular sight in our home these days.

Monday, January February 15

Matt and I like to go to dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day on any other day besides the holiday itself; restaurants are too crowded. Matt surprised me and made reservations at the Eastside Cafe and lined up our babysitter for a wonderful evening out. The food was awesome! If you’re in Austin, I highly recommend a visit. Their garden, where they grow most of their own produce, was incredible! And Matt was such good company, you’d never have known he didn’t feel well. I delved into this Ghirardelli brownie for dessert, my last one for a good long while. It’s a must. An absolute must to both eat this brownie sometime and for me not to eat such an indulgence for awhile. The irony! The painful irony that I need to settle on the latter.

I have two sick boys on my hands, so I must tend to them. Hope ya’ll have a great week!

Antics of a Big Boy

My momma is waaayyyy behind in updating you about my latest antics. She had a full plate in January and didn’t get to write about what I’ve been up to since I turned 11 months old, and now I’m only 2 days shy of turning 13 months. She’s got lots to write about ‘cause I’ve been up to lots. Folks, I have my momma on her toes! It’s funny to see her run after me. I think she’s silly. So since Momma hasn’t written, I thought I’d give you the low-down on the big stuff I’ve been up to and what I’ve been learning since I was eleven months. ‘Cause I’m a big boy now, ya know?!

i love reading bos (momma calls them books). love, love, love!

da is my bestest buddy (that would be the dog).

i cry when da da leaves for work to bring home the bacons.

mama, mama is my back up word for everything.

wa do gets my food taken away (all done). i even help pick up the food on my tray to put it on the plate, as well as my sippy cups ‘cause they fit on my plate, too.

it’s fun to put items from the big basket onto the moving belt at the grocery store. i impressed momma one day when i did that.

i know how to sign “toys away” and the big people cheer for me when i put them away, so i do.

i like helping close doors.

sometimes i sign “please” and “thank you”. and when i feel like it, i actually try saying it. momma is always saying those words. she sounds like a parrot.

i astound mommy with my energy level.

i got nine tooths now.

couple weeks ago, momma enjoyed holding me for each of my afternoon naps. i loved it. now i want her for every afternoon nap. she’s trying hard to fix that though. poor me.

but momma’s blessed: i still take two naps! she thinks they could be longer though because i like rising when the rooster crows after sleeping 10 hours.

stacking blocks is fun. knocking them down is even funner.

bananas are still my favorite, and i can throw down some food. mommy and daddy call me a “trooper” or a “jewel” because i’m good to take out to eat. since walking, sometimes when i’m done though, i’m done. Done.

i is a walking machine. forget crawling. crawling is for babies. i’m a big boy.

i’m learning how to obey daddy and mommy. i’ve learned pretty well “no touch”.

sharing food with ma is fun (molly).

i think bigger kids than me rock! i greet other kids with a pat and a smile.

give me time in a new place to feel safe. then, i’m a full-blown ham.

chase is my favorite game. at the park, i like the slide and swings.

momma says i pick up on things quick. i’m a quick boy on my feet, too.

if you want a kiss, ask for it, and i’ll give it. open mouthed.

riding in the car face forward is awesome!

i got some cool noise tricks with my tongue. i’ll show you sometime.

i’m a music man.

i may not say them yet, but i know lots of words and know when it’s time for things, like lunch.

four. four hair trims since i was born. and about to have another one. momma tells me that God knows how many hairs are on my head. lots! and lots!

i is a sweet boy. i love lovies.

monkey, sugar bear, angel boy, cotton-headed ninny mungin are my nicknames.

i no longer get a bottle at night. mommy can’t bear to stop giving me a morning one. soon, but not yet.

sometimes i think whining or screaming will help me get my way. the big people are out to prove me wrong.

i think da da is the coolest and run to him first thing when he gets home. momma tries not to be jealous.

momma is silly. she dances, sings in the car, she tries so hard to make me laugh. we have some special times laughing, like when i try picking her nose when she’s rocking me. that makes us laugh.

i pick up sticks at the park just to give to molly.

my most favorite times are when all of us are playing on the floor together: da da, ma ma, ma, and me

 

Momma loves you, oh, what does she call you? Oh ya, Internet peeps. She loves ya lots. Which makes me love you, too. Happy Valentine’s Day. We send hugs. And I send open-mouthed kisses. <grin>

A New Look

For those of you who have visited Spicy Magnolia over the past day, you probably noticed the new look already. I am so excited about it! For my birthday present last April, my sweet parents gave me money to use towards a customized blog design. After two foiled attempts that spanned nearly six months, I finally came across a wonderful graphic designer who is able to customize templates for Typepad! Nicole at The Pixel Boutique has been fabulous to work with and has done an incredible job coming up with a design that I am thrilled about! This has been a long-awaited gift to me, and I’m so thankful to my folks for the fun present and to Nicole for her hard work and talent. She was definitely worth the wait! There will be a few adjustments here and there over the next day or two, but for the most part, this is the new look of Spicy Magnolia. Welcome, dear Internet peeps!

Project Life Tuesday: February 2-8, 2010

I recently told you about Becky Higgins’ Project Life Kit that I started for 2010, and it’s been a lot of fun, and so much simpler than the traditional scrapbooking I was doing before. I’m trying to snap a photo a day after for my album, and thought it would be fun to join The Mom Creative’s weekly Project Life Tuesday. So here are the photos from the past week:

 

Tuesday, February 2nd

Fridge Art from our weekend with Eric and Kim. The Mexican food restaurant, Chuys, rocks. ROCKS! (Marla, if you’re ever in Austin, me taking you to Chuy’s is a must. It beats out Chipotle and Freebirds, hands down. And I love Freebirds, which means that Chuy’s simply rocks!)  And “Burn” is a phrase Eric and Kim’s small group in CO uses a lot as a “na na na na boo boo” kinda thing. And because Matt and I are such cool people (ahem!), we were taught its meaning. I used it every chance I got, whether or not it was the proper intended use of it. So there: burn.

 

 

Wednesday, February 3rd

Playing with the pots and pans while I fixed dinner. He’s my little chef who loves to be in the kitchen with me rummaging through the pantry or mixing things with the wooden spoon. He baked some amazing chicken pot pie that night!

 

 

Thursday, February 4th

While Matt is not a coffee drinker, his daily energy buzz is hot chai. He’s holding off buying some from Sam’s to help our budget a bit, but I had some spare change to swing by Starbucks last Thursday and pick up a chai latte for our special hubby/daddy. We surprised him and swung by his office to drop it off before I took Brennan to get his first pair of real tennis shoes. The blurry writing on the lid is a love note, so it’s ok if it’s blurry and you can’t see it clearly. <grin>

 

 

Friday, February 5th

The big boy in his new shoesies! By the way, the boy is going to be severely made fun of because he’s learning all the nouns that I put “y” or “ies” on the end (i.e. doggies, horsey, shoesies, sockies). We went to Sandy’s Shoes and found out that Brennan has a large foot for his age, which should come as no surprise. He’s a size 6, and the gentleman that helped us was amazed at how good he was at walking having just taken off a week ago. Although, he might just tell all his toddler customers that. So far, the shoesies stay on better than his sockies.

 

 

Saturday, February 6th

What a cute little hiney! Ever since Brennan was born, after Brennan’s bath, Matt would bring him to me all wet, wrapped up in his towel to give me kisses. The fresh, clean baby smell is totally irresistible and I’d nestle into Brennan’s cheeks while Matt held him all bundled up. But this weekend, surprise, surprise! Matt sent the character out me walking, buck n*aked! It was hilarious! And there’s something about being in only a diaper or completely n*aked that Brennan absolutely loves. He giggles, he’s frisky, he’s foot loose and fancy free! I hope we don’t have a future streaker on our hands. And don’t worry, I’m still nestling into his proper cheeks. Ok, bad, bad joke, I know! <grin>

 

 

And for kicks, one more picture for Saturday:

My tennis shoe lovin’, jean wearin’, casual hubby decided on his own, that he wasn’t going to get tennis shoes to replace his worn out pair. Instead, he opted for these brown shoes. Ya’ll, this is big. This is huge! I promise with everything in me that I have never mentioned to him how cool I think it would be if he wore something like these over tennis shoes as his every day shoe. Not once. So when we were at the outlet mall a month ago and he said he was thinking about brown shoes, I was stunned. And when we were actually ready to buy a pair this weekend, with no prompting from me (and he can attest to this), he chose these. I was flabbergasted and excited and swooning! I’d still love him in his old tennies, but folks, the southern belle in me is lovin’ these handsome loafers.

 

 

Sunday, February 7th

Super Bowl Sunday with my boys.

 

 

Monday, February 8th

Five months have passed since I dusted our bookshelves, so I think it’s about time I get out the trusty dust rag and Pledge, don’t ya think? It was another rough Monday for me and Brennan. So much so that I spent more time than I would have liked going through Antique Mommy’s and Amanda’s archives for any glimmer of hope from posts they may have written about their experiences with their toddlers. Brennan isn’t a monster, please don’t get me wrong. He’s far from it. But my type-A, need-to-have-a-plan kinda personality really clashes with how parenting is constantly changing and full of so many unknowns. I know I’m not the first one to say it, but if only God gave personalized instruction manuals when a child was born, the world would be a better place. Or at least I’d be a better mommy. Someone, just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. Steps 1, 2 and 3!

I also am deeply battling insecurity and a raging desire to be more than just a mommy, both of which are gnawing at me incessantly, so bring on the guilt as well. It’s no coincidence that I’m reading Search for Significance for a women’s Bible study at church and Beth Moore’s book, So Long Insecurity, which I can’t put down. But at the same time, I don’t want to read another word because it’s too much to take in all at one time it’s hittin’ so deep. I’m not looking for comment affirmation here, just sharing for a moment. And now I’m feeling insecure about writing that last sentence. Should I have or shouldn’t I have? Oh, Lord, rid me of this malady if it kills me!

As I was dusting the bookshelves, I came to the shelf that has these two giraffes and next to them a book called Tall Blondes. While I was in Africa, I fell in love with giraffes. Their grace and gentleness, their strength and their beauty. I brought home these two wooden giraffes not only to remember this magnificent creature that graces the vast expanse of Africa, but even more so because of their stance: a baby giraffe stretching her neck as much as she can to gaze into the eyes of the larger giraffe whom she knows protects her, cares for her, and loves her more than she could possibly fathom. These giraffes symbolize my time in Africa where my eyes were fixed upon Jesus in a loving gaze that nothing could take my eyes off Him, a real mark in my life with Him. They are a tangible reminder to me of where my eyes always need to be.

And the book? Given to me by Gaga, my grandmother, who knew of my love for giraffes as a going away gift when I left for college. In it is a note penned with her chicken scratch saying how much she’d miss me and pray for me when she talked to God. Oh, I miss her so.

These giraffes are for a day like yesterday, when I need to remember not only how my eyes should be fixed upon Jesus who alone satisfies all of my needs and knows the deepest longings of my heart, but also how His eyes are on me. I cannot flee from His presence and nothing can separate me from His love. Even in my weakness, my mixed up priorities, my lack of knowledge of how to be a mommy, or my raging emotions and insecurity, nothing can separate me from His love, from His constant gaze upon me. I just need to keep my fixed, intent look upon Him.

Hot Chocolate and Taxes Do Have Something in Common

Whatcha doin’ right now? Is your TV on? Ours is. We’re tuned into CBS, a good two hours before kick off for the Super Bowl. It’s one of my favorite Sunday nights of the year because it was a game of sentimental tradition in our family growing up. Momma and I would set up a concession stand with an assortment of goodies, food perfect for game day. Then we’d all sit by the TV and watch the game unfold, hoping it would be a close, entertaining game. More often than not, we wouldn’t care who won, but it was the anticipation of cooking with Momma and lovin’ on our boys that created the sentimental value.

Last year, with Brennan being a mere three weeks old, I have absolutely no recollection of what we did Super Bowl Sunday. Don’t ask me who was playing or even if we watched it. But I know for certain one thing: I did not cook a thing for it. This year is different. I have a family of boys who want to watch the game, even if for a few minutes while walking around getting into other stuff and then headin’ to bed. And thus, it’s time to bring out the concession stand!

Sooner rather than later, I will adapt the food options to be typical game day bites like hot dogs and chile con queso. This year, I’m doing it a little bit different and expanding the options for the palate. As soon as I’m done with this post, I’ll head to the kitchen to make some homemade guacamole, Marlboro Man’s favorite sandwich, and some more of those molten lava cakes with Blue Bell mint chocolate chip ice cream. I see the drool comin’ from your mouth. You’re welcome to come on over!

I have yet to choose a team to cheer for; I really don’t care one way or the other this year. If you asked me yesterday morning, I was rooting for the Colts. But after talking to my brother, I might just switch sides to cheer for the Saints. Who do you want to win?

In honor of celebrating Super Bowl Sunday and getting to serve my boys from my concession stand, one of my favorite things to do, I thought I’d come up with a list (not at all exhaustive) of 49 additional things I love to do:

1. Drink hot chocolate
2. Get a manicure or a pedicure, or on a really awesome day, get both
3. Read a good book, especially the ones I can’t put down
4. Plan globe trotting details, and then globe trotting itself
5. Get a haircut, particularly if I don’t have to talk much during it
6. Get the mail (or wait for Matt to come home to get the mail since I’ve already lost two mail box keys)
7. Send Molly after squirrels
8. Shop for clothes for Brennan
9. Find clothes I like that actually fit well
10. Make lists and mark off the to-dos
11. Give a gift that’s the “just right for that person” kinda gift
12. Relish the moment where cleaning the house is all done…then put my feet up, if possible
13. Go out to eat
14. Be surprised, with clues to go along with it
15. Write, finding just the right words to express myself, which only happens occasionally
16. Eat my Momma’s home cookin’
17. Read through cookbooks
18. Plan menus and then cook them
19. Have girl time with good friends and my Momma
20. Be silly
21. Go on a special outing with Brennan
22. Laugh so hard I cry
23. Complete a project
24. Reminisce
25. Watch Brennan play and learn
26. Sit by a fire, all warm and cozy
27. Walk in the cold all bundled up
28. Take a nap
29. Pick at scabs and pop pimples
30. Hang out at the book shop with the hubby
31. Get all dressed up for a special night out
32. Record the days of our lives through journaling and picture taking
33. Eat chocolate
34. Play a joke on someone, or be successful at making a joke
35. Do pretty much anything with Matt, Brennan and Molly…all four of us together
36. Celebrate
37. Organize
38. Get a massage
39. Watch a movie or TV show I’ve waited all week for, like “The Office” or “Lost”
40. Keep in touch with friends and family…keep up communication
41. Ask questions
42. Help people feel comfortable, welcomed, included
43. Cuddle, especially if I’m cold
44. Read to Brennan
45. Keep an empty email inbox
46. Create ambiance
47. Taxes
48. Fill out forms
49. Lick beaters from baking

How ‘bout you?

If you’re a football fan, enjoy the game! And if you’re not, I hope you’re doing something else you love to do, like drink hot chocolate while working on your taxes.