THANKFUL

Ooh... geez... life has happened... long days have come and I can't seem to keep up with Twitter/blog and facebook.

I have kept up everyday, mostly on facebook, but last week itwas on scraps of paper... I was so busy....

Here is the past week in review... missing the pictures... but hopefully I will catch up this blog this weekend.

Day 37: Thankful for my home!
Day 38: Thankful for my career. I may have long days at the office sometimes, but I love what I do!
Day 39: Thankful for cuddle time with my baby
Day 40: Thankful for old contacts at CSU! It payed off! Because of B.R.A.Y.D.E.N. will be hosting our 2nd annual Water Safety Day at CSU!
Day 41: Thankful for a wonderful experienc at the dentist.. which never has happened to me.. I love my hygentist Crystal!
Day 42: Thankful for my bestie Kristen! Breakfest at IHop!
Day 43: Thankful for washable markers!
Day 44: Thankful for a boys night! So mommy could go to her small group!

Day 08:

Thankful for Jenny at www.southernsavers.com who help me cut my grocery bill in half every week!

Go here to see what I got FREE on Thanksgiving day! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?fbid=539750330212&set=a.530175667912.2038498.136102586

Day 06 & 07

Day 06: Thankful for naptime, which translates into Mommy-Time!
(Note: I didn't skip yesterday, I only posted to my facebook account, as I was celebrating bringing in the New Year with my family!)

Day 07: I am Thankful for my small group. This season we are reading The Five Love Languages together.

"DH" and I read this a year before we got engaged. We were at the point in our relationship where we were stuck. I remember meeting my best friend "K" at Caribou coffee, and I talked with her about how "DH" and I were just trucking along.... She asked me to read this book and give it a few more weeks/months.

And, she saved our relationship. Don't get me wrong, DH never did anything wrong, we just didn't speak each others love languages and by not doing that, our relationship grew stagnant. The "honeymoon" stage of dating was over and after a few months of just going along, I think we both knew that something had to change. And did it ever! "DH" learned that I feel most loved when he spends time with me instead of buying me gifts and running to hang out with his friends.
I learned that "DH" needs words of affirmation. By learning how each other feels loves, we were able to grow our relationship and a year later, we were engaged, and a year after that, married.

Now we have the opportunity to read this book all over again and it is a great refesser. It will two years of meeting with our couples small group. And I am thankful everyday for these friends. They are my support system. They hold me accountable, and see things differently, so when I need a boost or even a reminder "Did you pray about this yet", they are there for me. Both "DH" and I were embraced into this group and they are our closest friends now. I hope we never loose touch.

So thank you "K" and small group.... you will never know how much you all mean to me....

Day 05

Day 05: Thankful for the strong bond my husband and son have together. What a wonderful gift.

Day 04 & Leaving Santa Cookies....

Day 04: Thankful for my sweet boy who is growing like a weed!

Leaving cookies for Santa :So..... We decided to leave Santa some cookies... But we had to try one first....

And with Cookies... you need to leave some milk....

And then we had to taste the cookies again....

And wash down our bite with some milk.....

So Santa only got a one cookie and a half eaten cookie, with a tiny sip of milk....

Day 03

Day 3: Thankful for a supporting husband.

Through thick or thin, we have made it through. I can't wait to see what 50 years of marriage look like.

Will it look my my grandparents, who have been married for 52 years? They have the same routine everyday. And believe that time apart from each other is being selfish. So they spend 99% of the time in each others presence.

I wonder if they ever run out of things to talk about.

But they unconditionally love one another.

And that is all that matters...

48 1/2 more years of marriage until we reach 50 years!

Its gonna be a long ride. But I can't wait.

Day Two: Gratitude Project

Day two: I am Thankful for compassionate patrons at O'Charley's Restaurant today, and for the chocolate milk that finally calmed down "AV"'s meltdown of 2010.

Well... it is official... I think we are banned from fine dinning restaurants until "AV" and future kids turn 18.

I have been blessed with a job that gave me a four day weekend and
"AV" has gotten quite used to being home and having me all to himself.... Last week, "AV" had pneomia so he was home from daycare. We made it though all of the Christmas holidays festivities , and we decided to have a PJ day on Sunday. So today, we were ready to be out and about. "AV" and I went to the Charleston Children's Museum with some friends today. And we both took a late nap....

So since "AV" had such a good day, "DH" suggested that we go out to dinner. And obviously... it was a disaster. "AV" screamed and cried and I think you could hear him in China...

Neadlesstosay... he has reach that age of "independence" and defiance and therefore public places that are not meant for kids, we will only be enjoying by carside food service or on a date....

But I wouldn't have it any other way.....Lets just pray to tomorrow at daycare drop off is smooth...

Day 01 ( Gratitude Project)

How could I not start our this year of Gratitude by not thanking our Creator.

I am so thankful that God sent His Son for us. And who continually forgives us, even when we do not deserve it.

2010

I am not sure how I have managed to go through all of 2010 without a blog.... no update.... nothing..... Very depressing.

So much has happened in 2010 and I have had a lot of lessons learned....

2010 has been such a blur... and I (feel that I ) lost a whole year of growth..

As a review for those who have missed...

2010 started out:

• Jan: "AV" was admitted to the hospital for brochettes. He has always had a breathing problem it seems like and had been on and off the nebulizor for a while.. Every time he got a cold, his chest would wheeze. Three days on oxygen and intensive inhalers we were released from the hospital and Avery was placed on a preventative medicine until May.

I remember driving to the hospital to meet Brant and thinking... I should be panicking... but I guess as a mom, your instints kick in and you know that you have to be strong. I also knew that his condition was not life threathing as I have watched two of my close friends have "heart" babies and their struggles.

• Febuary and March seemed to fly on by..."AV" grew!

• April- "AV" turned one! It was a crazy safari weekend! Mimi, Pop-Pop, Uncle K and Gramma came down from MD and we all through a huge party for my boy! A week after that , I (reluctantly) gave up nursing, and a week later had "AV" off of his bottle! At the end of April early May, "AV" started to walk... or should I say ru
  

• May- "DH" and I enrolled "AV"in Infant Swimming Resource. My sister "M" enrolled her daughter, "E" first and I attended one of her lessons and knew that we had to get "AV" involved. ISR gives one-on-one lessons in survival swimming. For more information, follow this link...http://www.blogger.com/www.infantswim.com

Also, in May... "M" and I founded Because of Brayden, a non-profit (still waiting on our certificate) organization to teach our community Water Safety.

• June-"AV" was certified in ISR. He can now find his exit in water and is able to float (even in winter clothes) for up to 10 minutes.

• July-We took a huge family vacation to NY and MD to see "AV 's great grandparents and grandparents. It was an amazing trip

• August- We held our first Water Safety day! It was a huge success and even had a TV spot! The Friday before the big event, "M" and I were running around like crazy! We ended up parting ways to run separate errands... when I got the call to have the two of us interviewed... For those of you who know me, I am very particular about my house.. but the week before, I let everything go because we were rushing to prepare for our big event... So needlesstosay.. I had to run home and clean for the shoot. I found that the oven is a great place to hide dirty dishes! LOL.
  

On a serous note, we were able to educate over 50 children the importance of water safety. For more information or to request a newsletter: http://www.blogger.com/www.becauseofbrayden.org

• September-Our kick off for the holiday season it seems like... Life starts getting crazy!

• October-"DH" turned 38 and Halloween! "AV" was peter pan, "DH" was Hook and I was Wendy...

• November-"AV" got a great big surprise! he got another cousin (on DH side) ! Cousin N is a great addition to our family!

We had a trip to the zoo

And we hosted Thanksgiving!

• December-I turned 26, we took a mini-vac to VA/MD to see the new baby and grandparents. "AV" is truly spoiled by them! We also had a small (perfect) Christmas!

It is also time to reflect on this year... I lost contact with some friends, did not purse my relationship with God as actively as I should.

But...

I did..

• get connected more with my small group,
• Feel like I can now manage as a new mom. (for those of you who don't know(many don't).. I struggled a bit with the big change of being a mom.)
• Grew my marriage
• Was blessed each day with my baby boy...

My goals in 2011:

1. To be more thankful. I will be taking a challenge to find one thing in each day to be Thankful. thecreativemama.com/the-year-of-gratitude/ Hopefully, everyday, I will post either here, or on my facebook, one thing that I am thankful for for a whole year.
2. I want to run a 5k this year.
3. I am going to participate in the Daniel Fast www.daniel-fast.com/ with my church www.seacoast.org and hopefully this will jump start me in actively pursuing God everyday.
4. Keep in contact with friends and family more.

Lets roll 2011! Hopefully this time next year will be more progress!

Macaranna~

Are you feeling guilty for avoiding making a dentist appointment for just one more month because you hate going there so much? Hope that no one saw you pick your nose while you sat at the traffic light? Overcome with shame because, in your house, cleaning for guests just means shoving stuff into drawers and closets? Well don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of my desire to admit some of my imperfections and reveal a few moments I'd rather forget. You may find it therapeutic to join in and do the same thing! Just make your post and add it to McMama's blog! This week, I did not leave work early with a headache and heard the Macarana song and crank the music up loud and dance to this oldie. No, that was not me you saw making a fool of herself at the stop light doing that old song and dance. No, not me. I did not eat icing out of the jar all week long. I know better and am trying to stay away from cavities. And I know that eating out of a jar leads to weight gain.. which I haven't had.. not at all... I also did not throw myself a pity party as I cleaned out Avery's closet because my little boy is growing up. I also did not leave my screaming child under the chair so I could take a picture of him and how he got himself stuck! I am also NOT going to grab a bit of icecream out of the container before I go tobed. I am not a pig like that. Good nite!

I hit the hubs with the car...

Are you feeling guilty for caving in at Wal-Mart and buying candy for your children just to keep them quiet and happy even though you never buy them candy? Hope that no one saw you pull your infants diaper waaaaaay back in the middle of the sermon at church to see if it was dirty? Overcome with shame when you sleep in at morning until after your children wake? (And, trust me, this week I wouldn't know anything about any of those examples.) Well don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of my desire to admit some of my imperfections and reveal a few moments I'd rather forget. You may find it therapeutic to join in and do the same thing!

This week I certainly did not hit my husband with the car. I mean, I know how to drive and know that I need him to wait until he moves away before I back up. Therefore the mirror won't hit him I also did not think.. oh what a great not me monday story it would make. Meanwhile, I also did not almost hit my sister with the car the exact same way a few days later. This past week, I didn't stand in front of my work's sink and just put my hands out expecting the water to just turn on. And then sign about how the automatic sink doesn't work every. Then realizing that the sink wasn't automatic. This week, I also did not almost burn the house down when I left a pot of beans simmering on teh stove as I watched tv for three hours. Nope I am completly careful and remember to always check on my cooking food This week, I also didn't let my child fall and tap I mean bang his head against the floor resulting in a piercing scream from my sweet boy. No, I am always careful and would never let my child fall over and hurt themselves. I also didn't beg my husband to take our little one to the store so I could catch up on couponing and instead took a nap. Nope, I always take advantage to my babyfree time to catch up on things around the house!

Not me Monday

Not me Monday!

I will always know what day it is because I am the organized freak of this family and having a baby would not have changed that. So today at the stop light, I didn't realize that it was Monday and that I remembered that its time to do a Not Me Monday post. ... because I never forget you see. And I also, didn't scold myself for thinking McMama was wrong earlier today about it being Monday and being a day late with her post... Cause I'm always right you know.

This week, I also didn't forget Avery's precious lion that he takes everywhere. I yell at Brant for doing it so I would NEVER do the same thing i get upset over, and not realize it for two days.. then go begging our friends to scour their house for it... Nope Not me.. I always guard that lion for Avery!

This past week at work, I also did not wave my ID card in front of the hand sanitiser and not the key pad. I also didn't' sigh and do it THREE more times while complaining that my card doesn't work... No Not me, I know how to work security doors!

I also and the most organized ninny on earth and would never forget numerous things in the morning, making me run in and out of the house so many times, waking the boys up... I remember everything the first time. I also still don't get to work and realize I left something else at home... I bring everything with me the first time!

Last night, I also didn't put Avery to bed and run for a bowl of ice cream and while savoring said ice cream, my little man didn't wake up and I waited to get him, then as I knew he wouldn't go back to bed, began nursing him and eating ice cream at the same time. I am completely in tune with Avery and would certainly put the ice cream away to tend to him... Nope not me.



I also, this past month did not take a picture of my last clock out at Chick-fil-A. I wouldn't take a picture documenting the end of my years at CFA.. nope not me...



My sister and I also didn't go to Duncan Donuts on Friday and hide the evidence from her husband. We would never not offer to pick him up anything from his fav place...



I also, didn't beg Brant to let us go out to eat after church to IHOP. Since nobody ever wants to go there. Nope.. not me.. I don't beg not to cook for my family. I always cook and stay home and save money....



I also didn't go to through jury duty's security line and when asked what was in my bottle, gave them a blank stare and stated what bottle... ?!?!? I always know what is in my purse and take security seriously. Nope not me.



I also did not call Brant on the way to jury duty this week to see how Avery takes his fruit for the first time and asked for a minute by minute play by play of his actions... Nope not me





So hopefully this starts the week off right ! :)

Avery 4 months and 5 months

Our sweet boy is 4 months old... well actually he was 4 months old a month ago... now he is 5 months old and this post will document the two months and Avery's accomplishments. I have been very bad at posting.(Obviously) We still decided to have him sleep in our room for another month in his pack in play, but... well.. mom kept putting him in their bed. However, toward the end of his 4th month, we did manage to put him in his bed every night and then starting putting him in is crib upstairs! (with mom sleeping in the room across from him) This past months he has:

eating rice cereal and oatmeal (well for mommy not so much for daddy)
sitting up in his bumbo seat
sleeping through the night more
loves jumping in his jumparoo more
loves to reach for our months
smiling more
was 15lbs at his 4 mo. check up
started in daycare
get his first fever
loves being on his tummy and pushing up
loves playing peak a boo
loves mommy singing to him
becoming a daddy's boy more and more
... but still needs his mommy for hard moments
plays in his crib by himself
is more aware of himself and others...loves playing with his cousin Ellie
PLAYS WITH HIS FEET.. mommy is so excited about this one !
Sleeps in his crib most nights all the way through

Sadly, I cant upload pictures for some reason, so I will try again later....

Vent

I hesitate to post this as I am not sure if any family members read this. But then, they don't control my life, I am not posting anything evil or negative about them, and then again... its MY blog. A place where I can document our family, my thoughts and feelings whether happy or sad. This post is a vent, so to any who don't want to read a vent, stop reading here...

We have a great person in our life, that is truly important to us. We love them with all of our hearts and know that Avery will grow to love this person as well. The problem arises in how this person acts: Which is very selfish, rude, and they do not guard their tongue. Feelings are continually hurt, boundiers crossed and fights and they do not bring out the best in my husband and I . Of course I want to guard Avery from actions that are bad behavior. But I WILL not keep Avery from this person as they hold a key relationship with our family. When we speak to this individual, it in turn creates another problem. So we have kept our mouths shut for so long. But as a mother I can not just let bad behavior be in front of my child. Even though he can not understand now, in a few months he will. And I am tired of hearing from other family individuals and this person that its "just the way they are" That is a bunch of Bologna! It is not hard to think before you speak. And its time for this person to let go and not be so selfish. Sharing is a great thing, especially people. (sharing Avery for example) AND the words please and thank you are magic words that make everything seem better and not demanding. It is getting hard to bite our tongues and I will not keep doing it. I need people in Avery's life that are positive and a good example as how someone grow up to become. If I have to limit the relationship, I will in protection of my son. But this person seriously needs to put on their big adult underwear, and realize that its not about them, let go and grow up. I know their mother has taught them all of the rules of society, and magic words of please and thank you. And my favorite saying is "YOUR NEVER TO OLD TO CHANGE!" Just put your mind to it. You won't be perfect at first, but the effort does go along way. I will no longer accept that "its just the way I am "excuse anymore.
Vent over...for now....

Nathaniel's words of wisdom...

Nathaniel is my sweet adorable 5 year old wise nephew! He is about to start kindergarten this August and had some wise help for me the other day.... Along with being the most adorable 5 year old helper, who loves to make Avery laugh and give him his bottle and to make presents for us, he decided to help me out yesterday. While pretending to vacuum, he started on my knee. When asked what he was doing, he said :"I'm vacuuming all your hair off your legs..." And that my friend is when you know you need to shave your legs! No excuses, even if your a tired mother of a newborn.. people will notice... especially your 5 year old nephew!

~Beach Bum~

Summer is almost over and I needed to get our sweet boy to the beach! The beach is one of my favorite places. I grew up on Long Island and we spend almost everyday at the beach. My mom grew up sailing and being a beach bum and she wanted the same for us. The beach is a place of prayer and healing for me as well as the years have gone by and I wanted to introduce our boy to the pleasures of the beach. So with granma, Mimi and daddy, Uncle Tom, Aunt Dana and cousin Tammie in tow, we finally made it to the beach. I was a little apprehensive since he is so young. But he LOVED it. I think he must take after my mom! He felt entirely at home in the sand and loved the waves touching his feet! After the beach we headed to the Trumbles hotel to swim in the pool, which I was completely nervous about. Avery wasn't so sure about the water, I don't think he really liked his feet dangling about but we splashed and played for a short time. I wanted him to kick alot since that is all he likes to do in the bath tub, but he didn't. Although he was all kicks once we put him in the bath at home to rinse off, go figure!

Dedication

Last weekend, we dedicated Avery to the Lord. It was an amazing experience. Since we had the serivce on saturday night, we held a party here to celebrate Avery's special day with our close family and friend. Here are some pictures:

Avery in his dedication outfit. The sweater was knitted by his great grandmom Moylan

Getting prayed over

Mimi and Gramma made the trip from MD!

With his Nana and Grandpop

Our family

Pictures of Avery's first 4th of July

We met my sister Michelle, her husband Jake and kids at the park for some yummy chicken and fireworks...here are some moments of our night!


Avery with his cousin Nathaniel, who is holding his cousin's Brayden's pinwheel....

Family Photo

Trying to reach the fireworks

Pretty fireworks

Just chillin out on the blanket

My fav photo of the day!

The day was amazing! He was an angel all day long. But we wore him out. We finally got home around 11 and he went straight to bed, only to be woken up by the neighborhood kids lovely fireworks show that went on for and hour or more. So Avery is currently sleeping again! He slept through the night, got up around 5:30am, ate and went back to sleep until 9:30 then went down for a nap around 10:30 and he hasn't moved! Poor kid! We wore him out with our first fourth of July!

Avery is 3months!

Our Avery Bear is 3 months! I can't believe it. The time has flown by! And, for the first time, Avery has slept through the night. (actually two nights in a row) It has been amazing to get 6 hours of sleep uninterrupted. I have handled the sleep deprivation really well over the past three months. Probably because for years I barely got any with going to school and work full time! At this point Avery can:

• Play under his playmat and grasp and pull the dangling toys
• He has found interest in his hands
• Can lay on his belly and hold his head up for a while
• Smiles non stop
• Talks non stop
• Still loves to cuddle!
• Loves singing and dancing together
• Will sit through us reading him a book... he seems to focus on the pictures...

His three month picture next to the bunny ( i take it every month to track the growth)

His three month picture.

At the same token, 3 months also marks a huge change. Its time for me to go back to work. I love my job. But I LOVE spending time with Avery. I have gone back to work twice a week in June, but now, I am going to be away five days a week! Eight hours at a time. I just hope we adjust well. Avery is really comfortable with Brant and other of our family members down here. But I know it is going to be a new adjustment. Even though I am nervous and honestly not happy with the timing of Brant's real estate appraising class, I am hoping that for this short season of life, I will only have to be a working mom, and in two to three years, he will be established to where I only have to work part time if any. Not only am I going back to work, but for July and August, Brant is leaving us for five weekends (thankfully not all in a a row) to go up to Columbia (2 hours away) to take his classes. After August he will hopefully get an internship and will have to take 4 more classes. After the classes, two years and 2000 hours he will be a certified real estate appraiser. I just hope that the two years (it will probably have to be more actually since he has to still work full time) goes by fast and as less stress as possible. I just pray that we all fair well in this transitional time.

Daddy has a secret..

Daddy loves to talk with Avery. Avery is so talkative lately. And Avery tries to mimic what Daddy is saying. I caught a couple of the moments on camera at the park this week!

Talking to each other!

Avery has a secret to share....

And Daddy does too!