Short But Sweet

Just wanted to give a quick update:

*We found a new apt!! It's wonderful and has the perfect amount of space for us. It was a discouraging process that had an unexpected payoff. :)

*I can't handle the "big boy-ness" of Mr. T. He's really taking over the world, one step at a time (sorry if I've already used that before).
-Many mornings we'll take a little walk right outside of our apt. He walks back and forth on the sidewalk and climbs up and down the stairs.
-He says 'bubble' and does his fair share of eating. The only rejected food so far is green beans...hope he doesn't have my texture issues.
-His gymboree teacher said that he should move up to the next level even though he's 1.5 months too young for the class! The teacher makes adjustments for him so that tasks are harder.
-He takes his gymboree skills to the house where he's learned to climb on the couch! Dang...now we have to teach him 'down' so that he'll safely get off the couch.
-And here's the funniest and my favorite thing he learned (on his own), knocking on the door. It's so cute. He just knows to knock when a door is closed and even puts his hand in a fist position. Gotta love it!

The "Send" Button

The "send" button is sometimes a scary thing. I think, "What have I just done?" Or, "Did I say everything I meant to say? Was I eloquent? Did I forget something?"

Oh well. You hit the "send" and there's no turning back. And honestly, until there's a response, you go on with your life as normal.

So, what's been the norm around here lately? As Mr. T's mama, I would love if all his teeth would come in at once so that we didn't have to go through this roller coaster of him feeling bad and sleeping bad, which inevitably turns into us feeling crazy and sleeping poorly. It's only a phase...I know.

There's also the norm of crawling through tunnels, knocking over blocks, eating the Mega Blocks, playdates, and for me - lots of coffee enjoyment and watching the Ford Focus Rally on hulu. (Imagine Amazing Race in the US, but you win a Ford Focus and $100,000.)

****

On a much more serious note, could you please be praying for my friend's baby, Claire? She's been in the hospital for the last couple days with Phenomena. Without going into a bunch, there's a lot of waiting and seeing what the doctors say daily. I know they'd love for her to just feel better. I'd love for her to feel better. Thanks friends.

Sending our love.

Presenting...

A one year old little boy! While I'm sure you'd LOVE to hear all the details about the party-times, I'll let you enjoy the pictures from a party with the Hufford family (you know, his cousin is one day older than him!), birthday at the Chicago Children's Museum, and a Farm themed party with friends.

With Love, The Huffords

Four Firsts

Today was a monumental day of "firsts" for Mr. T. (This post is definitely more for myself to look back at than anything else.)

1. A 3hr. nap!!! When other mothers said their children took 2-3hr naps, I was shocked. My child NEVER took longer than an hour and a half nap. And many times when he was smaller, we were lucky to get an hour nap. I just succumb to the fact that Mr. T would only nap for 1.5hrs. And that was okay with me. It's enough time to get some stuff done around the house and have a little time to myself. But woohoo!! You can believe my excitement when I was able to have a whole three hours!! And it was on a day my husband was home! What a treat!

2. Foods: Slurping spaghetti (so cute) and biting off pieces from a slice a bread. :) (He doesn't do biting. He takes whatever it is, typically, and stuffs it ALL into his mouth.)

3. Building forts and tunnels. You should have seen this guy. I made two tunnels out of our couch cushions, and he just kept going through them! Again and again. :)

Happy Sunday! And happy day off tomorrow (to those who have it off)!

*So...I've finally nailed down Timothy's first birthday theme!! Excited is all I can say!

Top 10 of December

(I don't know how to start this post...I've backspaced about 4-5 times.)

I'm getting ready to give up this precious nap time when I typically shower to blog. Today, I'm just itching to blog. Shrugg. Who knows.

The best way to recount the last month or so would be through a brief, picture filled highlights. And boy, do we have some highlights!! (in no particular order)

1. Timothy's 1st Christmas (at our home)


2. Eric has a personal coffee station at work


3. I've been baking - A LOT!


4. What a special time to have five generations at Christmas this year
(To Timothy: Mom, Him, Great-Great Grandma Porter, Grandma Buck, Great Grandpa Owen)


5. Timothy is tall enough to reach Dada's piano


6. And he's into everything! He particularly likes standing in the frig. He can find his cup of milk, grab a drink, and put it back. :)


(Thanks to my dad for the following photos.)

7. My Ppa built Timothy a wagon.
http://buckfamily.smugmug.com/Holidays/Christmas-2010/15310317_or9r3#1145558431_k3c3E

8. Waiting on Christmas morning!
http://buckfamily.smugmug.com/Holidays/Christmas-2010/15310317_or9r3#1145561063_V9o6Q

9. Matching Christmas Pajamas with my sister and mom
http://buckfamily.smugmug.com/Holidays/Christmas-2010/15310317_or9r3#1145561735_txgpg

10. Timothy's priceless expression when ripping the Christmas paper.
http://buckfamily.smugmug.com/Holidays/Christmas-2010/15310317_or9r3#1145563281_3NmeA

It's a Wonderful Life!

Really. It is. :) And as of Sunday, I'm officially in the Christmas spirit. My husband has even been more cheerful about Christmas this year (not always the most exciting time for him - super busy at work).

(You can stop reading now if you don't want to read me ramble on. No offense taken.)
Prior to Sunday, I was feeling a bit "bah-hum-bug" ish. Not sure why, but every time I turned on the "Holiday Lite" I quickly changed the dial. I didn't even want to do any Christmas shopping but knew I better before I was rushing out with the crowd. But after a successful Borders trip and a little openness to Christmas music, I'm all a joy about the holiday. I even made a count down to Christmas! And bought some wooden ornaments to decorate with our friends, the Counts children. I'm also looking forward to sugar cookie cut-outs and heading home for time with family and my grandmother's wassail.

Lest I forget though, what a perfect time to be reminded of the true gift that came this time of year, Jesus. And what life he has brought AND the hope of life after death. Sweet reminders. At our church, we just began to go through the book of Matthew, and it's so apropo to this season (and yet, to our whole life).

Last year at this time, I was imagining what this year with our little one (who still didn't have a name at 7.5 months) would be like and if he would fit into the 9mo Christmas outfit that our friends Ang and Stac had bought for him. While it was SO cute, I'm really glad I returned it since most of Timbo's clothes are 12-18mo. One friend nicknamed him 'the truck'. I can't believe he's crawling like nobody's business and pulling up on everything! And we might just have the two front teeth for Christmas (he's got two, just a little of centered though with one being a "lateral incisor"; yes, I did just look up the name of that online!).

Well, as usual, he's up from a nap, and I'm cut short. I think tonight we're putting up the Christmas Tree, so the pictures are to come! Oh yeah, WE GOT SNOW TODAY!

Lessons I'm Learning

Seems almost continually learning. To the point: Contentness (Yes, my spell check is saying that is not a real word.)

Wow, I've allowed myself live with a spirit of discontent. I could definitely go on about what...but that would defeat the purpose of what I would like to overcome. :) As I was enjoying the week of a "stay-cation" with my husband, we had quite a defining moment of, "We've got to change today our attitudes, or we are just going to continue living like this." And honestly, living like this just sucks the life out of us.

So...we're working on it. Trying to see the beauty and joys of today. Trying to be invested sojourners. (see here:http://www.ebfchurch.org/media.php?pageID=5)

And oh, how the joys abound! I guess that November is just a reminder of all that we have to be thankful for. Hopefully, it's not just November but a radical life change.

Ask me how it's going in a week. We can't do this alone.

*Upcoming: Pictures! (Fall and Halloween!)

take a moment to decompress...or multitask

i've just grabbed a cup of decaf and have allotted myself 20 minutes to write. :) no grammar today! and i'm in need of a shower (don't judge me). laundry is running, and pictures are downloading.

start time: 4:07p. -> Go!

...while at the mall today (i had a old navy gift card! thanks grandparents!), i thought i would opt out of getting a milkshake (it was tempting me) and just use the quarter i discovered in my bag for some m&ms from the quarter machine. well, i guess it's been a while since i've done this, cause the quarter machine was no a TWO quarter machine. sadness. however, i spotted another candy center just down the way with a ONE quarter machine. :) i joyfully put in my quarter, turned the knob, and received...5 m&ms. 5. sigh...at least i had a quarter, right?


...i must confess that i am struggling. struggling with the comparisons of baby to baby. i remind myself that mr. T is going to be who he's going to be, and i love him for who God has made him to be. i'm blessed to experience so much of his life. struggle with saying no because i don't want to, or can't, spend extra money. i don't mind living a simpler life, but i know there are times when the only way it seems possible to hang out with friends is by spending money. can we just hang out at each other's houses? struggling to feel like i can do it all. and i don't even work out of the home.


...i'm finding much joy from being mr. T's mother. the littlest things make him laugh. (although, the same things don't always work a second time.) :) this week he's like a popping sound i make with my mouth and stacking toys that fall and hit the floor. and oh yes, when daddy scares him.

...from my "finding joy" jar: when my husband plays guitar for our baby while i hang the clothes. :)

...and yes, i still need to update about my trip to st. louis with my family, but for now, here are some pictures:



end time: 4:29p (okay, i had to upload pictures and a friend texted me!)

...and such

Some beach, somewhere...

Yes. That would be nice. Any time I hear that song (sorry if you don't like country music; it's grown on my since leaving the south), I think of my mother. And today I have been thinking and talking about her a lot today. While being one of my very best friends, she is a hero of mine. She took unfavorable circumstances of a teen pregnancy and rose above all expectations for her. She didn't sacrifice my well-being for her selfish gain; yet, in turn, she gave so much of her time, energy, money, youth...so that I could be offered a remarkable life. If she can be a mother when the world is against her, I can surely be a mother today! (And I have her to walk this road with me - what a treasure!) And our distance won't be so far when we gather our family together this weekend. I didn't realize how much I've been looking forward to this time with my family until I said, "Wow, only five days till I get to see them again!" I am blessed.

~

Mr. T is now eating carrots and peas! He does like to bang on the highchair table. I'm unsure of whether it's frustration because he can't hold the spoon or if it's pure excitement or if he'd rather be playing. But I've been introducing baby signing to him (like 'more,' 'please,' and 'all done'), and he seems to calm as I gently say, "No. Would you like more, please?" As I model for him and help him with the signs, he tends to calm down and open his mouth for more food. What a sweet moment that is.
*Bananas to be added this week! And then, we get to show Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt H all our new tricks.

Loving Motherhood

This little boy has captured my heart. It's true that I never could have imagined that I could love him as much as I do. And it's true the even more now do I understand what a sacrifice that God made to give his ONLY son.

I am blessed beyond words by his life. And am blessed by the opportunity to stay home with him. (Thank you again, my dear husband, for all your hard work.)

How can I begin with all the smiles he brings to my face? He has this almost uncontrolled laughter. He'll be sitting (all by himself I might add) and look up and start laughing. He'll see a smiling face and laugh. I'll read him a book, and he'll laugh. Mr. T likes to laugh at the sounds "Snort" and "Oink." Or when we say "buca baby." (Where that comes from, I have no idea.) And he's ticklish. I have to stop myself from continuing to tickle him, cause he's got the best laugh! And when I say ticklish...I mean everywhere - under his chin, sides of belly, thighs, occasionally feet, and the newest is his armpits.

Mr. T has never been one to rest his head on my chest. However just over the last couple days when I rock him briefly before laying him down, he'll gently rest his head on my chest. How sweet. I want to just keep holding him, but it's like he realizes what he's doing and arches his head up. :)

And our little, big boy is eating solids! As of right now, it's just rice cereal and sweet potatoes; and he loves them!!

My obsessions

So...I must admit: I'm really great at checking other people's blogs and really bad about updating ours. Maybe I like the idea that I can just click in my "blogs I like" folder in bookmarks, and I don't have to think about what to write. I just read. I love reading. :) Side note: 1st obsession would be "The Help." It's a must read, and I'm leading the book club I'm apart of tomorrow night (it's my first time and I'm super nervous). I'll post discussion questions when I finish them tonight or tomorrow. :) Talk about waiting till the last minute. While I'm on this "side note," I've convinced my grandmother to read "A Wrinkle in Time," another all time favorite of mine. I read this with my 6th grade students the past two years. I'm a little sad that I will not be journeying through it again with another group of students this fall. I may just have to read it at home. :)

I began writing tonight, because I've fallen in love...with a blog. Not just any blog. This is a mom, with many sons and a little girl. She's extremely artistic. Takes stunning photos of every day life. And is real. She shares real life. Things she likes, doesn't like. How crazy life can be. And she has all these cute names on her blog for her kids. I'd like to be her real life friend. However, I just pretend she's my friend as I read her blog. Enough, enough. You can find her blog here: http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/

Updates:
I had a cold. Timothy has a rash. A rash the doctors haven't been able to figure out. We're trying out some meds for eczema, so we'll see if that works. It sucks being sick, and then it's even worse seeing your little baby sick. It's such a helpless feeling.
I realized that I need to keep up with friends better. I've said "good-bye" to four wonderful friends in just six weeks or so. Wow, I didn't realize how sad I was about that until I just typed that. Four friends have moved away...and I'm not sure when or if I'm going to see them again. That's depressing. Thank goodness for facebook and e-mail and phones. :) Maybe Skype and I should become better friends so that I can see those friends.
I love each of you.
To Talissyn: My soulful, urban loving friend who loves people by seeing through the exterior and getting down to the heart.
To Michelle: My passionate, extremely skilled teaching friend who is graciously honest and understands when a meeting has gone on too long.
To Ellie: My sweet, gentle friend who I just didn't get enough time with. Could you come back and live just another year? 1yr. is just isn't enough.
To Kristy: My joyful, joy bringing friend who always knows when I need a good laugh and is unabashedly herself.

And here's to my little, big boy:

Just Cause

Well, it has been quite a while since I last wrote and feel like it's "that time" again. :)

I'm having a little trouble remembering what has happened over the last month or so, so I'm grabbing my calendar for a look. (Walking to pick up the calendar)

I can start with the past couple days:
*Monday and Tuesday I spent the day with the Quibells. As I helped them pack for their move to Portland, I tried not to think about the fact that I do not know when I will see them again. I have high hopes that we can take a trip out to visit...I just don't know when. :( I, also, tried to think about the goodness of the time I was having with them and not what I was ultimately going to have to say "goodbye" to. :( Okay...enough about that; I'm getting teary-eyed.
*Today, Timothy and I have been at home! Yay! We need some down time after being out the last couple days. I did get a chance to make some banana bread for our enjoyment and (hopefully) the enjoyment of our friends who having willingly offered to watch baby Timothy tonight. Eric and I will be heading to one of our favorite bakeries in the area - Cafe Selmarie. http://www.cafeselmarie.com/ (It looks so fancy on their website. We usually just sit by the window, look out at the plaza area, and pleasantly talk about life or reminisce. This is where Eric and I went on our first date and where he proposed.)

So far this month, we have celebrated three birthdays, two weddings, and two graduations. For one of the weddings, Eric's parents came to watch Timothy, and we went out on our first date since he was born. What a wonderful evening! And he was great for his grandparents!

Upcoming: Our trip to TN for Hannah's 12th birthday! I'm super excited about time to spend with family and friends but a little nervous about flying alone with Timothy.

A couple things I just found out if you are flying with an infant:
*They will need some form of identification, either a copy of their birth certificate or shot record.
*They get no extra check-in baggage, but you can check-in their stroller at the gate. (This is only for a "lap child."
*You can call the day of to see if their are extra seats on your flight. If there are, you can bring your infant car seat on the flight with you, and your baby can have a seat.
*If you want to buy a seat for them, southwest (and possibly other airlines) have infant fares. By the time I checked into this, his "infant fare" was more than I paid for my fare. :)

So, I'm sure there will be more to come about our flying experience and our TN trip!