Short Coffee Date

I love catching up with friends over coffee. Since I actually dont like coffee, I have been able to find some fru fru coffee drinks that I am addicted to. So grab your favorite beverage, a soft blanket and come hang out with me on my couch and lets catch up.

First of all how are you? I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior! Can I get a hallelujah up in here?!

I dont know what happened to December. This happens every year I feel. The Christmas season comes and I tell myself to enjoy every minute of it and it always goes by too fast.

We had a busy month full of Christmas parties, White Elephant exchanges, a few dates for Kev and myself, and family time. We came home from on White Elephant party with a giant remote for the TV. Because we are so giving, we gave it to Mick for Chirstmas. He loves remotes.

Mick is just as crazy as ever. Still not walking yet but gets everywhere he needs to go. He is just about the happiest baby ever and I fall more in love with him each day. What a gift he is.

Christmas Card Inspiration

It happens every year. Picking the picture for the Christmas card. I usually just go back and pick an old picture from the past year. Last year we actually attempted a photo sesh with Mick. But whatever we go with I always try to do some research before and see if I can get any new ideas. Here are a few. Thank you Awkward Family Photos.
Didn't notice that baby in the back until the third time looking at this photo.

Look out for that love triangle.

Nothing Fits

M is so long and lean that I have a hard time finding clothes that fit him. All his pants are too big and at the same time too short. I just try to pass them off as capris. At least I know what he is going through. All growing up I was the only kid prepared for a flood. Sweats are the one thing that seem to really work but since we live in California it is not too practical.

He has two pairs of jeans, one are a little big but long enough and the other pair actually fits! Getting him dressed the other day I began to get frustrated because his one pair of pants that do fit were so hard to get on. They were way too tight. The worst part is that we had just gotten them. But after a lot of effort I finally got them on. Look closely.

You guys want some cookies?

Mick is a pretty healthy eater, meaning he does not eat a lot of sugar. I think he has tried maybe 3 cookies at his ripe old age of 14 months. Yesterday I made some cookies and could not help but notice him eyeing them. He kept pointing with his wrist (thats his thing) so I promised him one after dinner (not that he understood what that meant). So after he was done I let him take a small bite of the cookie. Before he even finished closing his mouth he has grabbed the cookie out of my hand and took a huge bite, then continued to try and stuff as much as he could in his mouth before I could stop him. Good news, he likes my cookies, bad news, I am that mom. It reminded me of this little video I was introduced to.

Living in the Moment

I love to snuggle with Mick. This has not happened in MONTHS. He is too interested in looking around or playing. Even if he is tired, he goes and goes and goes until the last minute.

photo by Jess

Today though he wanted to be held. No so much snuggle but just be held. I had things I wanted to do but he just would not let me put him down. And so I didnt. I did everything I needed to but with him in my arms. I just help him and kissed him and carried on.

photo by Jess

I was told by a lot of people when Mick was born to enjoy every minute, to snuggle whenever possible. I listened to that advice and let him take a nap on me every chance I got. I never got anything done but I didnt care. I loved having him so close. Others told me not to do it because of him getting to used to it but I did it anyway. And I am glad I did.

photo by Jess

I loved every single sleepy moment he had, every minute of closeness.

He does not do that anymore and I miss it, but I am SOOO glad I cherished the moment when I had it.

thank you

My Thanksgiving version of letting you know what we have been up to.

I am just sitting here. Most everyone is out the door either running errands, playing or just running. Mick is still taking his morning nap (praise the Lord). My mom and I will go grap some coffee once he wakes up. I have been just catching up on email, facebook, and blogs and I am coming across how thankful everyone is. I too am thankful. I am thankful for family and love. I am thankful for full bellies and happy faces. Thankful for my brother helping me get 2nd place in Scrabble. Thankful for cooking and baking with family. Thankful for caffeine, very thankful for caffeine. My 9:30 bedtime is really pushed back while with family, which I LOVE, but again I am very thankful for caffeine. Thankful for more game nights and time together.

Friendsgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Friends! I hope you all are having a wonderful week. This past weekend we were able to have a pre Thanksgiving dinner with some friends that we went to school with. I believe this is the 5th year, maybe. I look forward to it every year. I moved around every couple of years as a kid and did not do a great job of keeping in touch with my friends, so the fact that I am still close with the same friends after so many years is such a comforting feeling. Going through this has only made me work harder at keeping the friendships that God has given me.

Everything that we do now during the holidays or just everyday in general makes me so excited for Mick. I look forward to traditions that we have started and will start. I am always so interested in other families tradition and what brings others together. I like this tradition and hope it stays.

Sometimes I have to catch myself thinking of the future and looking forward to Mick running around with all the other kids that have joined the families. I have to stop and enjoy the moment that we are in. I dont want to find myself looking back and wishing I had stopped to breathe, stopped to take in what God had put infront of me at the moment. Because everyone was right when they said that time goes by faster once you have babies. I mean seriously when did Mick become a teenager?

We had a new guest this year. Our friend Kirsten did an amazing job of decorating the table for Friendsgiving. Some how a tiny snail jumped on one of the little pumpkins and hung out with us. I learned something new that night. You may be asking yourself what that little black spot is behind the snail. It is true what they say, everybody poops. I just could not get over it.

Thank you Jesus for grace, thank you friends for a wonderful evening and thank you tiny snail for blowing my mind.