If A Child is being unusually quiet...

then they are probably getting into something!

I went to go do something in the other room for a sec and I thought, "hmmm...boy he's being quiet. I hope he's okay." I went back into the room to find that he had swiped a bowl of food (I had just finished giving him lunch, cleaned him up but had left a bowl of his uneaten food on the table) and proceeded to play with it. Of course I grabbed the camera! :) Now that he can stand for longer & walk a few steps his area to explore has increased in size. Time for me to go toddler proof the house!

Almost Running

Sam can now take 3 steps. I keep hearing that I shouldn't encourage him to walk because then he will be climbing all over everything, getting into stuff he shouldn't be and generally keeping mommy very busy. Well, I'm naive...I want him to walk!

This morning Sammy & I went to Old Navy for their big $1 flip flops sale. I had a gift card from my birthday and decided this was the perfect time to spend it. It was crazy in there! Reminded me of the craziness of trying to shop on the day after Thanksgiving or before Christmas. I had Sammy in his little stroller & was quickly grabbing items to try on. He was fine until it was time to get in line. The line was wrapped around the store like a snake & I must have waited for 45 minutes to an hour. And of course Sammy was fussy. He wanted out of his stroller and so I used his stroller to hold the clothes while I held him. Then, he started fussing because he wanted down. I really didn't want to put him on the ground because I am sure it is swarming with all kinds of lovely germs & bacteria. Finally, I was just like "Whatever! It's good for his immune system." I seriously got such a great workout trying to keep him near me plus picking him up and putting him back down. My arms must be pure muscle by now. Oh, and he was making some nice smells in his diaper which I'm sure everyone appreciated. There were so many moments I just wanted to give up and leave but I was determined. On a side note, it really frustrates me when people purposefully cut in line and when they are confronted about it they act like the other person is the jerk. A young couple cut in front me & the lady in front of them was telling them off. I don't like conflict so I didn't say anything and I actually didn't even notice until the lady said something because I was so focused on trying to entertain Sam. But, I must say, in the words of Stephanie Tanner, "HOW RUDE!"

Anniversary

Travis & I are going to San Francisco for our anniversary in September! Does anyone know of any great restaurants? I'm thinking...romantic, affordable, not primarily a seafood place and maybe even with a great view?

Also, any other ideas anyone may have for fun, cool stuff to do there? We're going to the 49ers game earlier in the day (I know, soooooooo romantic) so we don't have a ton of time to sight see but I just thought I would gather some ideas!

Bad Parenting 101

Okay, so last night Sammy started standing for longer than usual and would even take a step forward. PROGRESS! He did it twice, but when I grabbed the camera and tried over-and-over again to get him to just take one step forward he wouldn't do it. On top of that my camera only takes 30 second video clips at a time. By the end of it I was sweating, Sammy was fussy and ready for bed, and I was feeling silly for pushing him so hard to walk. He's probably going to finally walk when I am not around.Ugh! Anyways, so I was re-watching some of the videos and laughing at all my attempts and all the silly little things Sammy does. We don't let him play with the remote control or our cell phones (he usually drops them & then they break) so in my attempt to get him to walk I would use the old dangling carrot trick - in this case the remote control or cell phone (I know, totally Bad Parenting 101).

Almost

Sammy is getting closer & closer to walking. He can stand on his own for a lot longer and took his first step yesterday. Won't be long now before he's walking, running, climbing and causing all kinds of chaos!

Sammy at Aunt Jeani's on Father's Day

My Little French Fry Gobbler

My family took me out for a birthday dinner last Saturday and I picked the Elephant Bar. I haven't eaten at that place in the longest time and it was great! Sam enjoyed some french fries (see above).

Normally, I try to feed Sam only nutritious food. I'm losing that battle. I was fighting it for the longest time but now I have resolved to relax on the issue a bit and not stress as much about it. I will continue to prepare him healthy food at home, however out in the world (filled with grandmas, restaurants with junk food choices for kids, etc.) I will let it go. The reality is that if I make "junky processed food" off limits then I am also developing within him (possibly) an idol of the heart for all the things"mommy doesn't let him have." I should take my own parenting advice and eat only good, nutritious food as well. I know it is just a matter of time before Sammy will be saying, "But mommy, you aren't eating it, why should I?" Hmmm...there's a convo I don't want to have. I'm in the process of preparing healthy food for the family but it's difficult because everything easy to make is processed! And I love watching Paula Deen on Food Network but everything worth making is swimming in butter! Gotta love that Paula Deen! Hopefully between now and before he can put together a full sentence (like a weeks time ; ) ) I will have mastered a handful of tasty and healthy recipes the whole family will love. I feel very blessed however that he is a good eater and will eat just about anything I give him.

If you have any healthy, tasty recipes (and like to share) please let me know!

Frankness & Vulnerability & 27 Candles

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I can't believe 30 is just around the corner. Oh my, 27. I think turning 25 was the most difficult for me because I was still single & didn't feel like I had accomplished much in my life. I always wanted to get married right after high school & have lots of babies. I think if God had told me that I wouldn't meet my husband until I was 25...well, I wouldn't have been happy. I would have begged. I would have pleaded! "Please Lord, can't you just give me what I want??!" But it did make the beginning of my twenties very entertaining.

"Is this THE ONE?"

"This guy?"

"That guy?"

Oh, don't get me wrong. I don't want to give you the impression that I dated a lot. I just have an overactive imagination. : )

While I was in the trenches of singledom it was agonizing. Okay, maybe not always agonizing. Weddings were difficult. Friday nights were difficult. Baby showers were difficult. Weddings are especially daunting when it's reception time. When my friend's Nick & Lindsey got married it was unfortunate that I only knew the wedding party. I didn't have a date either. After the wedding I hung out with the wedding party while they took some pictures & by the time I got to the reception everyone was seated & there did not appear to be an open spot in the room. After I waltzed nervously around the room hoping for an open spot or for someone to extend their hand I heard an ominous voice, "Introducing the bride & groom..." Oh crap, I'm standing in the middle of the room, all eyes are on me & I continue to sweat profusely & have a miniature panic attack inside. I scurried to the back of the room and stood alone feeling oh-so pathetic. The wedding party was announced and finally I heard the most melodic sound of, "You can sit over here, with us." So, you see, when you're single weddings can be painful and not just for the typical "I wish I was the one getting married" reason.

Anyways, I totally deviated from my point. What I wanted to say was that when I look back at my early twenties at that girl who always fretted about being single - about the future - I would have told her, "It's okay, enjoy the moment because life goes by fast & when you look back at this time you are going to remember it with fondness." I remember the good times a lot more than the bad. One of the best years of my life was when I lived in LA with 6 other girls in a small condo. For the most part, we were all good friends & we had so many good times together. I love this time in my life as a wife and mother but I wish I would have smelled the roses during that period instead of constantly worrying about when I was going to get married, why I didn't have a boyfriend, etc. I love motherhood. I love walking into my son's room & as soon as he hears me he pops his head up & smiles that big toothy grin as if to say, "Hi mom! I missed you!" I don't care how tired I am that is like a shot of espresso. But if I could be candid for a moment...I wish I would have known how lonely it can be. But then again, someday I will look back at this time & say, "Wasn't it wonderful? I wish I could have it back again!" I probably won't remember the loneliness. As cheesy as it may sound I think it will be my son's smile that will summarize this time for me. He has the best smile.

So, anyways, I'm not fretting about getting older (although, ask me again when I turn the big 3-0). I have a husband who loves me & a child who has a mischievous sense of humor & a sweet spirit. I may have a few gray hairs & a couple *cough* extra pounds but I'd say that ain't bad.
27, here I come!