Milestones

This was a week of milestones! On Monday Wes really laughed. He has been chuckling and giggling for a few weeks now- but Monday as I was getting him dressed I was pretending to bite his belly. I was sort of taking little nips at him with my lips and twice the really laughed out loud! He did it twice, and has not done it since but I'm calling that his official first!

And then today, while having our morning tummy time he rolled over! He went front to back over his right arm to get closer to me. I had positioned myself off to one side and was talking to him. I clapped and cheered and gave him big kisses then put him right back where he was. He went right on and did it again! He got more cheers and hugs and then when Daddy came out of the bathroom and we had the camera ready he just laid there and started to cry like he does when he is done with his tummy time. So, boo. I didn't get it on film, but I'll try again later and see if we have more luck. So, where it was twice, with clear intent I'm calling this a first as well!

2 major milestones in one week... my little guy is growing up!

R.I.P. Lizzy Lizard

It's a sad day in the Houston household as we mourn the passing of Olivia's rainbow gecko Lizzy. According to his spots/tail rings he was approaching 30 years- the top end of their lifespan. ...and as we recognized, except for the unfortunate incident whereby he lost his tail... (don't worry. it grew back. mostly.) he had a good life. Rest in Peace little bugger~

Mother's Day

Bill really fumbled his way thru this one this morning... "well, you've been Mothering for a long time... but happy first "official" Mother's Day!"

Bill isn't always good about making a big deal of holidays. He's more of a "you want something, so buy it" type guy... gifts aren't really his thing. I let him know a few weeks ago that if he chose to "ignore" the day I might get my feelings hurt. I just thought I'd let him know it was important to me! Well, I got a great set of Adirondack chairs (built together with a small table in between) and a new picnic table for the deck. He really didn't have to go that far- but I'm so glad he did! Our table has been slowly rotting away for a few summers now, and was so bad I refused to sit at it. I'm not sure if the idea was his, or if he got help... but either way I am thrilled to have a new one as we really did use the other one until it got so bad. It was a great gift, and I will be so glad to sit out there once the weather turns back around!

We went up to the farm house for a brunch with Bill's Mom this morning. Olivia and I made yogurt parfaits and I made lemon muffins. A Houston specialty for holiday morning is egg puff- so of course we had that too! Everything was yummy and I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted in celebration (I'm down 4 pounds this week!) I had my coffee nice and creamy and enjoyed every bite of my breakfast.

We then took the time to get started on our communal garden. We planted peas and broccoli, cauliflower and onions. It was quite cold and very blustery so we didn't last too long! Bill and his Dad worked on a few yard chores while Billy and Savanna chose to stay indoors. It was a very nice day, and I'm happy to have some time to play on the computer this afternoon... Happy Mother's day to my Mom, my Sister and all the other Mother's out there too!

Survivor's Day

Savanna and I attended an all day Scout event yesterday- it was an outdoors/camping themed day with various rotations of activities and such. It was held at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds (a bit over an hour drive) and I left Wes home for the day as I was forcasted to be cold and rainy. It was a pretty miserable day weather wise, but we had a great time, did a lot of neat stuff and learned a few new things.
In our outdoor cooking class, we learned that you can bake muffins in hollowed out orange peels. I was trying to stick to my diet, so only had one bite (mostly because it was warm and smelled so good as I stood there shivering!) but Savanna made a big dramatic show when I *made* her try it! She fussed and made it much worse for herself and after finally swallowing it, deemed it disgusting! I did think it was a very cool campfire cooking technique.

Among other things we did a yoga workshop, which was one of Savanna's top choices for the day. She had fun, the instructor was way into it and it was a pretty rough workout! She certainly didn't "dumb it down" for the girls. We went full force for an hour and a half... we did all sorts of poses, and she didn't stop at all. The other leader and I were laughing about how much our abs were killing after the workout!

In addition to yoga and cooking we also made a fishing kit (they had to sew the pouch and them made lines and a rough pole to use) and did relay races and a sing along session where we learned campfire songs. We also did a knot tying workshop. Savanna and I are certainly NOT good at knots! We were cracking ourselves up as we messed up every one and just managed to tangle ourselves up in our ropes! She ended up knotting our wrists together for a bit of the day... it was pretty funny- I was yanking and jerking her all around!

Here is one we finally got... actually we got them all but kept having to ask for help, and I'll never remember how to tie them again... all in all a fun day- but I missed Wes a lot- we were gone over 12 hours and that was too long for me! But, we survived and had fun too~ I think it's a day we will go to again next year... especially if we can get into the self defense class- Savanna was really bummed we didn't make it into that rotation.

Diet, Day 4

Having done this once before (I lost 50 pounds 7 years ago...) I know that motivation can be borrowed! So, following my Mom's ( http://www.bethscards.blogspot.com ) challenge; minus cards and pages... I started to "diet" on Monday. Mostly watching my calorie intake for each day, trying to stay between 1200 and 1300 as well as attempting to increase my activity level, I've started the process. I am on day 4, and cheated by getting on the scale. When "dieting" I try not to weigh myself more then once a week- it's such a drag to watch the numbers go up and down and we all know how much we can fluctuate over the course of a day or two... I stick to once a week same time same circumstances (like Sunday am, right when I get up) but needed a boost to keep going today... I wanted that gratification of "on the right track." And, granted it's only been 4 days- so it could all be water weight, or just normal ups/downs... but according to my new bathroom scale, I'm down 2.5lbs already! Yipee. Only 57.5 more to go.... Wes on the other hand is gaining overnight! He is up to 14lbs 11ozs today- "Chub" we call him.

Our Song

This past weekend was the girl scout talent show. Our troop did a group performance...but of course Savanna HAD to do another act! Our little miss opted to sing a Taylor Swift song: "Our Song" with her friend Mackenzie. They worked hard practicing at recess, doing impromptu performances when ever possible, getting together for play dates to work on choreography and practicing the lyrics. They both knew the song inside and out and the other Mom (thanks Kristen!) got them matching outfits- they were totally set for the stage! They did great, and I could tell being up there holding the microphone was a dream come true for them both! Savy is bound to wind up back on the stage... I just know it- she loves to sing and just soaks up the attention! Center stage, here we come!!

Wes, meet Sam

Saturday was a most memorable day... not only did I meet my dear friend Kelley's son Sam, but I got to introduce him to Wes as well! This day was a long time coming; I have been waiting to meet this little man for over almost 2 years now! You see, Kel and I were pregnant at the same time, we walked much the same road to motherhood. I was so honored to finally meet her beautiful baby. I'm crying a bit as I write this- he is such an amazing guy, and knowing that Kelley (and Geoff) love Samuel as much as I love Wes makes me well up... having gone through trying and pregnancy and birth along with Kelley has deepened my respect for her- and having one of my own makes knowing how she feels about her son overwhelming! This having kids thing is so deep- who knew there were all these other "levels" to life?! I am so glad for them as a family and so awed by their baby boy... Sam is one special little munchkin
Kelley and I have tried and talked about getting the boys together for a while now, carving out time has been difficult... but I wanted so badly to meet Sam! Having Kelley to lean on and talk to during my pregnancy was great. We were both wishing and hoping and suffering in our attempts to get pregnant and then when we both found out we were expecting she was just a few weeks ahead of me. Always just one step ahead it was almost a little odd how our paths mirrored each other. I was so glad to have a sounding board, an ear to pick and another new Mom's heart to share. I was lucky to have someone else going through so many of the same things, being able to share experiences and just to talk things through with was such a big help and comfort.

Our little bundles are both here- happy and healthy and we are about as lucky as two new Moms could be. The boys were adorable together and I can't wait to watch them grow, and knowing that Wes and Sam will always have each other is amazing. Like it or not, these guys were bonded before birth; they will always be a part of each other's lives. This was just the beginning of their relationship... sorry Sam- you are stuck with me!

We had a nice long visit, meeting at the Crowley's home in Saugus. We had time to sit and catch up, to play with each other's baby and get acquainted. We had a lovely lunch, and were able to enjoy the beautiful day with a walk along some great nature trails that Kel is familiar with. Lauren and Geoff and Kelley and I pushed and carried the boys along and I couldn't hep but smile... there were some times I thought I'd never get here... some times I cried for Kel and Geoff and wondered where their road was going... but this day made it all worth while~ these two little boys don't know how lucky they are... these two Moms wanted these two boys so very much.

And Sam, I'm so glad to have met you! I loved you when you were in your Mommy's belly, and I love you now. Knowing you makes my love for Wes that much deeper~ what am amazing blessing you are to your Mom and Dad. I can't wait to watch you grow, to see who you become! I promise I won't let so much time pass before we visit again little man.