My Sweet Baby Boy

3 Months last Tuesday. Wow. I just love this little guy. What a joy he has become in my life.

Fascination with Organization

I talk the talk, but I don't walk the walk.

I have been uptight about "everything in its place" for years. I get married, and BAM! I loose my focus. Maybe making the journey to couple has made me less worried and stressed out about the little things in life-- maybe I'm looking at the big picture more. I can't keep anything organized!

I want to call one of those shows on TLC or HGTV and have them re-do my life, make it organized again. I feel like the most un-organized places in my house are the kitchen, bathrooms, the piano and my bedroom (closet and dressers). I get this urge every once and awhile to reorganize, and then for about a month, it's wonderful! But then something doesn't get put back in its place and havoc.

Wanting to be organized doesn't mean every little thing has to be. I already do a pretty good job in McCoy's room. My diapers are all lined up in his drawers, most of his clothes are neatly hung up or in drawers, and I'm keeping a running plastic tote of clothes he's already outgrown. Underneath the stairs, in the basement, we put some shelves up to help with the "large appliances" that take up too much room in our kitchen. These are ones we don't use very often-- the bread machine, the Fry Daddy, the coffee maker, large cake and bundt pans, etc. So, that is very organized right now. I also have a very organized system for paying bills. It's very easy to follow payments and it works well for me. I'm also very organized about getting McCoy's bottles ready and having a good system for that. Other areas of the house and my life are also very organized. So, I'm not completely unorganized.


I wish this was my closet!!

I sometimes just look around and say, "gosh, that looks like crap!" I guess that's what keeps me motivated. But when is enough, enough? I don't want to spend my entire life re-organizing something just because it wasn't kept nicely. So, once its clean, it must stay that way. Then I'll be on the road to success-- and less organizing. Maybe I'll put that on my list to do next year! Or maybe that falls under the cateogory of being a better wife/ or mother?? If it does, I'm not going to be able to get that done in ten days! Maybe I'll wait until "Be a Better Mother".

Mid-January Update: Be a Better Wife

Here it is, January 19 (McCoy's three month mark) and I am updating my "12 Months to a Better Me" list.

January: Be a Better Wife

Let me tell you, I think that my new way of thinking has got my marriage continuing down the right track. We have been watching episodes of Lost together and enjoying each other's company. Whit has been away quite a bit this month, but it hasn't stopped our "love" messages over Facebook or texts. We talk a lot and many encouraging words are being kicked around. He knows about my list-- but in many ways, it is making him try to be a better husband. So, all in all, it is working out for the best.

Without getting all gushy, mushy-- I have been hugging and kissing him more and telling him I love him. I also make sure that I look him straight in the eyes. I am loving this way of "re-kindling" our love.



Next month's plan: Be a better financial keeper. Now just because the topic is changing for the month, doesn't mean I give up on January. I'm merely adding to.

Green Baby

Green Baby-- Susannah Marriott

I recently read this book Green Baby that I got for Christmas.

This book was much better than the last one I read about being green with McCoy. I love the way it was laid out, the facts about being green, the way it was written and of course, the book is made out of recyclable materials!

The book has six sections: Caring For Your New Baby, Feeding Your Baby, The Green, Clean Baby, Green Nursery, Play Green, and Out and About. Most of the sections contained information I already knew, but included some very intersting facts. Here are a few of my favorite:

"Between 1970 and 2004, CO2 emissions increased by 80%" (pg. 9)
"Rest is a seriously undervalued healer in our super-speedy culture." (pg. 25)
"Greenpeace estimates that your body may contain up to 200 synthetic chemicals." (pg. 47)
"An Italian study showed that 88% of newborn babies tested postive for plasticizers in their bodies." (pg. 53)
"Every $10 you spend in a local shop invests $25 in your community. But for every $10 you spend in a supermarket, only an extra $4 stays in your community." (pg. 56)
"By 4-10 weeks, 75% of mothers either use infant formula entirely or combine it with breastfeeding." (pg.74)
"Children playing or crawling on carpets may ingest 5 times more dust than adults." (pg. 93)
"Research shows that children as young as 18 months old can recognize brands." (pg. 137)--- hmmm?
"We waste an estimated one billion dollars' worth of electricity each year by leaving the TV and electronic gadgets on standby." (pg. 156)
"Babies who are carried seem to cry and fuss less in the first 3 months of life." (pg. 164)
"NHTSA studies suggest that 82% of car seats are installed and used incorrectly." (pg. 169)--- WOW! Hope ours is installed correctly!

I would like to copy this entire section about "Making a Treasure Basket" because I think it is a wonderful idea and I plan on doing it when McCoy gets a little bit older. (This can be found on page 144).

"Natural and household objects are an easy way to encourage your baby's sensory exploration when she can sit steadily. Fill a basket with object of varying texture, color, size and shape.
1. First, look for hard objects. They must be large enough to handle and such without risk of swallowing. Try smooth pebbles, shells, and twigs; shing surfaces, such as metal cups; objects for threading (like wooden curtain rings), or that stack inside each other (like Russian dolls).
2. Now find soft objects: long, clean feathers, a leather key fob, sheep's wool, leaves; fabrics such as velvet, silk, linen, and felt (make them into bags to put objects into and take out); small wicker baskets for sorting like with like.
3. Add some natural sccents: a lavender bag or pine cones; or put cinnamon sticks or vanilla pods into a spice-shaker. Create noise with cocnut shells, jingling metal bangles, a bunch of keys, or hand bells.
4. Stay with your baby while he explores his treasures, ask what happens if he shakes or smells them, and add new items regularly to keep his interst alive."

What a faboulous idea!

The author makes suggestions on how to change your life to make it greener. The tips are practical and helpful. The way the book was organized, it makes it easy to make one change at a time. Again, the tips and facts were very intersting to me and they have made an impression on my life.

I would highly recommend this book to those looking to green up their life a bit. Especially for babies.

The Three C's-- Crib vs. Cradle vs. Co-Sleep

The Crib--

We have only used it a couple of times for naps. Once I put McCoy in there, he wakes up and starts to cry. We have NOT tried it during the night yet. I told myself I was going to start putting him in there when we go to sleep at night and then if he wakes up to put him back in the cradle, but I haven't done that yet. It's too big! We like to use it as a clothes hamper anyways.



The Cradle--

Love this thing! Thank you to Angela for letting us have it. We like this because it's close to our bed, in our bedroom. I can keep a close watch over him if I should start to panic and want to check on him. I can hear him very well if he starts to "squeak" and get up to feed him. I love it because I can stick my foot out the covers and use it to rock him back to sleep. It's wonderful having him in our room. I can definatly wait to move him out.



The Co-Sleep--

I love this concept of being next to the ones I love during the night. I will have these spurts-- lots of co-sleeping and then periods where I will get up everytime to put him back in his cradle (again, no crib yet). Here's why I love it: I can sleep and still nurse at the same time. I get to be next to McCoy and watch over him to make sure he has a dreamed-filled night. The little guy makes me feel safe. Here's why I hate it: I get tired of sleeping with my arm in the certain position. And no, I am not afraid that I will roll over him! He is constantly a reminder that he is there.



The verdict--

I don't want to move him to his own bed, but I know I will have to enventually. So, instead of trying it out at the 2-month mark, maybe the 3-month mark??

Loverly Snow!

Guys. It's WINTER! Let the snowing begin!

I get so sick and tired of hearing people complain about the "horrible" weather. It's winter. This is what is supposed to happen. I personally, LOVE the snow! And love the frigid temperatures and how it makes your cheeks rosey. I love to watch the beautiful snowflakes drift to the ground. It's so peaceful. Unlike a "regular" sunny day, you can't hear the cars zoom past your house, or hear the whistles on trains. All you hear is peace. This is one of the best times of the years. I am so glad that I live in a place where I can truly experience all four seasons. And right now, we are having one very white winter. And I love it.

Back at Work

Every one keeps asking me if I cried when I dropped McCoy off at daycare this morning. Am I a bad mother because I didn't cry? I am so happy to go back to work-- a place where I am wanted as a teacher, my knowledge, experience and background are acknowledged and appreciated, where I can dance, sing and have a great time (and, and, and...). I am so in love with McCoy, but I also love my job. I'm very happy that I can say that I love my job. Most people these days either don't have a job or they hate their current one. But I don't want to be one of those moms who drop off their kids at daycare to "get rid of them". That's not it at all. I'm very lucky that I also get to see McCoy half way through the work day-- I'm going to nurse him at lunchtime. So, even though he is at daycare all day, I still get to see him half way through.



After saying all that, today was actually not that exciting. We were working on curriculum mapping and technology stuff. I was excited to see my collegues and friends. I got to talk to some teachers who last saw me 45 pounds heavier! It was nice to converse with the other teachers and ask how their vacations were. Let me just say how wonderful it is to have people care about you. It is so nice.

I love McCoy. I missed him, but I didn't cry. Does that make me an awful mother?

Christmas already?!

So, I was thinking back to how FRANTIC I was over the last month or so trying to get ready for Christmas. It was hard-- the baby made things more difficult. And I keep thinking to myself that I didn't even have work to worry about. I felt this years' Christmas presents were sparse, not very thoughtful and kind of rushed. I want to make certain that this year's (2010) Christmas presents are THOUGHT out and perhaps, homemade. So, even though I'm publishing this on my blog, I have a feeling most of you will forget by next December. I have a great habit of sitting at the computer and scrolling through every single blog I've posted. Maybe, I'll be the only one who goes back to this post by, let's say, November. This is a recipe for Homemade Minty Hot Fudge Sauce. Package it in mason jars (which I have a TON of and don't know what to do with)-- put it in a basket with an ice cream scoop, nuts and maraschino cherries. Viola! Instant, thoughtful gift.

Here's the recipe (in case I lose the page I just ripped out of the magazine)

Makes: 4 cups (12 servings) (HOLY MOLY! I'll have to quadrupile the recipe!! and then some!)
Prep: 10 minutes (nice!)
Cook: 10 minutes (even nicer!)

4 1/2 pint Mason jars
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup ligh-brown sugar
1 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
6 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup creme de menthe (yea! I have that too!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Heat cream in a heavy-bottomed medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat until bubbles form along edge. Lower heat to medium-low and sitr in sugars, cocoa powder, butter, chocolate and salt.

2. Continue to heat over medium-low heat, sitrring constantly, for about 10 minutes or ntil smooth. Remove from the heat and sitr in the creme de menthe and vanilla. Allow to cool. Pour into jars. Store in airtight jars in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To serve, reheat gently. (SWEET! I can make this AHEAD of time! Awesome.)

Per serving: calories: 3.... nevermind!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

12 Months to a Better Me

Each month shall be dedicated to a new area of my life. By December 2010, I will be a better me. I will blog about my plans on the first of every month, and recap what happened at the end of each month. Hopefully I will continue my changes every month and by December I will have changed the way I live. Ready? Set? GO!

January-- Become a better wife.
February-- Become a better financial keeper.
March-- Become in better health.
April-- Become a better teacher.
May-- Become a better mother.
June-- Become a better gardener.
July-- Become a better builder.
August-- Become a better musician.
September-- Become a better cook.
October-- Become a better friend.
November-- Become a better organizer.
December-- Become a better Christian.

Welcome January!!

I have noticed since having McCoy, our lives have revolved around him. This sounds like the typical American family life, but it is not how I want my life to be represented-- by the children I have. I want my life to be revolved around more than that. I want my life to be defined by all the people I love-- most importantly and foremost, my husband. I want January to be devoted to becoming a better wife. This means, spending more time with just him, listening better to him, becoming intimate with him more, kissing him more often and telling him I love him more. My world needs to be about him first, and then celebrating the beautiful baby boy we made together. This might seem a little bit like a bad mother, but I feel that my marriage is the most important thing, and the babies are an extension of that. Believe me I LOVE my son, and I will do anything for him! But I also LOVE my husband and will do anything for him as well! I already show that I love McCoy on a daily basis, I don't want to leave Whit out of that either. I want our lives to be happy and McCoy will learn how important marriages are in life. So welcome, January. You will see me become a better wife.