Christmas 2014

Taking a break from my December hiatus (Kyle is on a relaxed rotation so free time is all family time) to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas this year!  Just wanted to share our yearly pajama bed pile up photo like last year.  What a year of differences in this photo!  Weight lost (me), weight gained (mini man), new glasses, new bedding, smiles all around!  My family for years and years have given each other pajamas and piled into the bed for the yearly family photo.  I have been so excited to carry this on in our little family down here in SC.  I picked out Kyle's and Myles', and Kyle picks out mine.  Kyle has some pretty hilarious Star Wars boxers from Target because I thought this year he needed functional PJs.  Every year, he gets sleep pants, and every year, I end up being the only one that wears them (He prefers shorts)!  He saw his gift bag last night and said his PJs looked small this year... he was a good sport about it.  He hiked up those white socks just for me.  One lucky lady right here.  So now Myles and I will enjoy a country ham breakfast with my parents and wait for daddy to get home from work before we open presents.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

currently

currently...

making :  I snatched up a boxwood wreath from Trader Joes this week ($9.99) and some berry branches from the HobLob ($0.59 each after discount).  Just deconstructed the berry branches so that I could spread them through the wreath and tied it to my door.  Pretty happy with the end result!

listening :  I mostly only listen to the local Holiday Music radio station when I'm in my car but I do enjoy my previous church Sojourn's Advent Songs CD.  Also, if you hadn't noticed on any talk show recently, Seth MacFarlane put out his own Christmas CD this year... I haven't heard the whole thing but I'm pretty shocked at how amazing he can sing.

wrapping :  Not really any of our own Christmas presents yet because I know Myles will try to destroy anything I put under the tree right now.  I was introduced to #scarfament this year on Instagram by Danielle Burkleo.  150 people signed up for this national Secret Santa to send their partner a scarf and ornament by Dec 1st and to receive the same from someone else.  I had so much fun getting this together for  my partner... unfortunately according to USPS tracking, she still hasn't received her package.  I had mine waiting for me when I returned from KY last week!  So much fun.

watching :  Everything on the DVR.  I agreed to not watch any of "our" shows while Kyle was gone so we spend all of our free time catching up on those... Agents of SHIELD, Bones, NCIS, White Collar to name a few.  While Kyle is gone, I watch "my" shows.  The Flash, Arrow, Somebodys Gotta Do It... Christmas wise... I always attempt to watch Its a Wonderful Life, the old Rudolph movies and A Christmas Carol.

anticipating :  Next week is Kyle's department Christmas Party.  We had to miss it last year since Myles had just recently been born and we are still trying to secure a babysitter for this time... I am pretty determined to make it this year.  I just really need to go shopping for a fancy winter dress now!

Charleston

Kyle and I have had 3 quick trips to Charleston in the past 2 years.  Now, granted, they have all been in the winterish time.  But I have to say, it just is not my favorite place.  Bad weather aside... it just isn't the place to go with Kyle.  I wouldn't mind going to the historical places, touring a plantation or something; Kyle not so much.  It definitely isn't the greatest place to take a baby.  Maybe a girl's trip with my mom.  

But when your husband's residency program doesn't have a transplant team, he has to go to the nearest in-state teaching hospital for the experience.  For Kyle, that is Charleston.  So off we went.  Myles did pretty darn great in the car.  It was a 4 hour drive including stops.  He took a couple of naps and I had snacks and toys at the ready to pass back to him.  When all else failed, the kiddy music got turned on.  Works every time.

Our first afternoon there, we met a friend for lunch while Kyle was sleeping (he was coming off of a night shift).  That night we headed to a brewery I had wanted to go see.  The second trip that we made to Charleston was for an interview.  This was the only interview where spouses were NOT invited to the resident dinner (first of many things that put them towards the bottom of our list).  Thats ok.  I bought a beer in the hotel lobby and read a book.  That beer was from a local brewery called Westbrook.  It was very very interesting.  White Thai.  Try it.  So since it was so close, I really wanted to check it out since we had nothing else to do.  Kyle tried their Dry Irish Stout (very much like Guinness) and I got the Gose (a salty sour wheat beer- extremely interesting).

Sleeping arrangements were a little weird.  The hotel had Kyle in a tiny corner room which left us putting the pack-n-play right next to the door so that Myles couldn't see us when we turned off the lights.  If he could have seen us, he never would have gone to sleep.  

Kyle had Saturday off, and thanks to a recommendation, we decided to do the South Carolina Aquarium.  It didn't disappoint.  Myles really did look at some of the exhibits.  We managed to get some pretty good pictures out of it.  

Afterward we drove around forever trying to find somewhere to eat.  This is a frustrating part about Charleston and a baby.  Everyone is hungry and a lot of the restaurants that aren't in a sketchy part of town are on a one way street with parking only allowed on one side of the street.  And everyone is trying to go where you want to go.  We eventually found a brunch place a little further away that had one parking spot left.  It was amazing.  Thank you Hominy Grill.

We spent a good amount of time in the hotel room trying to get Myles to nap.  It didn't really happen much, but it was good to just have some family time alone.  Kyle had to head back to work early Sunday morning so Myles and I got on the road shortly after.  It was a good trip even if it was when the Polar Vortex decided to pay its visit.

wishlist : Christmas 2014 mini-man edition

1 : for dress up How cute is this mask and tail?!  I was just browsing Etsy and thought this was pretty genius.  The shop BHBKidstyle has several different animals to choose from.  So so cute.

2 : for the car ride It is fascinating how kid specific music seems to calm a kid down in the car.  I was all about some Raffi as a little kid myself.  This could be pretty handy dandy for the next couple of years. 

3 : for eco friendly play Myles received a Green Toys dump truck and shape sorter for his birthday.  I really love this company.  100% made in the USA out of recycled plastic.  This stuff is fantastic.  The helicopter and airplanes look pretty great.

4 : for pretend munching Who knew Ikea made really neat toys?  Our friends have the Duktig felt food sets and they are pretty darn cute.  The vegetable set can be found on Amazon, but they make a fruit set as well.

5 : for the little helper  A mini version of mommy's vacuum cleaner?  Um yes please.  He loves chasing me around when I vacuum.  I would wager he would love to "help" when he gets a little bigger.  I  know some kids love their own broom too. 

6 : for carrying stuff  This cute little backpack would be the right size to hold Myles' snacks and diapers when we go places and when he gets a little older he could carry it himself.  These Skip Hop zoo backpacks are a good small size.

7 : for the eventual walker  Little kid shoes are expensive.  Feel free to get him some in the sizes to come... 5 and 6.  I love these little Saucony Jazz shoes.  

wishlist : Christmas 2014 mommy edition

This has been an interesting year.  I feel like I accomplished a lot of things around the house and in the yard.  In some areas I have been pickier than in others.  Some places just need a few finishing touches and others need the main event.  Since I have been trying to go with "less" purposefully in the wardrobe department, I have been able to put more resources towards things around the home.  There are a few things that I would love for function and fun that I haven't gotten around to and may not... since most of this would really only be used by me!

1 : for the walls You probably remember the print I framed for Kyle's birthday from Leslie Hill's Fifty Two Verses project.  I have thought for a while that I would love to have maybe 3 of them along the long wall of our hallway as daily encouragement.  I just kept waiting for the project to be a little more finished so that I could decide which I really want.  I have so far narrowed it down to prints 3, 4, 12, 24, 26, 38, and 40.  I think any of them would look great in "mini" with a simple white frame.

2 : for the neck  I have absolutely loved my necklace from The Jones Market.  Support small business when you can.  I would love another necklace (or 2!) from her.  She is selling out quickly and has a big sale coming up, so act fast because she is going to close up shop Nov 30th to spend time with family!  From what I saw available this weekend, I love her metallic adjustable necklaces right now, or really any of the vanilla or blueberry beads!

3 : for the cabinet  I have unfortunately broken 2 of my 4 sort of larger wine glasses in the past year.  No worries, I was sort of wanting some new ones anyway.  I like this longer shape.  I'm not set on any certain kind, though I do know that the Riedel Vivant red wine glasses at Target are about the right size.

4 : for the snuggles Have you seen the commercials?  TOMS is at Target.  What I didn't realize until I checked the website, was that it is much more than the shoes.  I have now seen this blanket in the store and think it would be a wonderful snuggle blanket for the couch.  Kyle can tell you that I NEVER sit on the couch without being covered up.  Its just comfy.

5 : for the outfit check  I always intended to have a long mirror whenever we moved.  I have never been able to see all of an outfit at once before I leave the house.  I do have one free wall to hang one on in the bedroom and I think I really ought to not keep putting it off.

What is on your wishlist this year?  I love to hear what other people are dreaming of this time of year.  Don't worry family, I plan to get a little man version completed before Black Friday ;-)

photo shoot : a family of 4

I met Amanda last year.  She is another resident's wife/stay at home mom.  I completely value her friendship and have been so excited to watch her family go from 3 to 4 this year.  It makes finding time with her a little bit harder, but she is pretty good about getting back to me with texts.   I was beyond excited when she asked me to take some photos of them now that Baby Charlotte (aka Charlie) is here.  Here are a few of my favorites:

myles oliver : a birthday party

I had been a bit of a fuddy duddy earlier about whether or not to have a party for Myles since his birthday falls in the middle of Kyle's away rotation.  Since we didn't find out Kyle's schedule until he was already in Charleston, we capitalized on what we did know and planned Myles' birthday party 2 weeks early.  Kyle had to leave on the 2nd, so we celebrated on the 1st!  Issue:  this was the beginning of when everyone started getting sick so through a series of unfortunate events, 2 of the 4 families we invited weren't able to make it.  No worries.  We didn't let it slow us down!

I kept things as simple as I could without feeling like I was sacrificing on the cute first birthday for our first kid factor.  I had planned for quite some time to bake a blueberry pie for Myles since blueberries are his favorite, it is eggless, and well, you will understand once you see the pictures.  To all those haters that thought pie was the worst thing you could do to a kid on their birthday (how dare I not give my kid cake!) get over it.  Pie was a major hit!  I also grabbed an apple pie from Trader Joes in case people weren't blueberry fans.  Food wise, I just grabbed some roasted red pepper hummus with pita from TJ's and made some sausage balls right before the guests arrived.

We went with a light dinosaur theme.  I snagged that cute reusable chalkboard banner and used my dinosaur cookie cutters as stencils for the images, and dinosaur plates and napkins from Target.  A few colorful streamers and some little plastic dinosaurs from the Target dollar spot finished us off.  I also printed the monthbymonth photos from here on the blog and displayed them with a few other gems.

Adults and kids alike tore into that blueberry pie after Myles took care of the first slice.  It really was phenomenal and Pillsbury made the crust much easier to deal with.

The kids all took turns on Myles' present from us, his little red rocking moose from Ikea.  

The party was just what we needed.  A few friends to celebrate our kiddo.  Some good food and conversation.   Just enough to say we actually did it and had fun in the process.  I know Myles had a blast.

myles oliver : monthbymonth 12

This kid.  Seriously such a joy.  

A year ago, Kyle and I were sitting in the living room timing contractions.  Kyle calling the hospital to decide whether we should go in because they just were not very consistent but definitely getting closer together.  Around 11pm on the 12th, we headed to the hospital and were admitted.  Apparently by that point my parents were already on the road because Kyle had sneakily texted them and told them it would be a good idea to head down here.  I was admitted and given a room pretty quickly.   The nurses had a hard time getting the iv started and that was seriously the worst part of the entire experience for me.  We tried to get a little sleep but I knew it wouldn't happen while I felt the contractions, so I broke and went for the epidural around 2am.  Well, that did its job, but having to bend over so far for the procedure just pushed Myles further up into my ribs.  So no sleep for me at all.  

The doctor on call that night was nice but was definitely the more awkward/quiet one that I had met from the practice.  I secretly hoped Myles would hold out for the shift change so I could get someone else.  This doctor did mention wanting to give me some Pitocin but I knew I did NOT want that unless there was a problem.  There wasn't and I continued to progress through the day.  I did let him break my water after the epidural.  My parents got to the hospital around 3am or so and just checked in on me every now and then.  Sometime in the morning I asked the nurses to find out what doctor would be taking the day shift with me.  Of course!  The only doctor from my group that I hadn't met yet (Dr. G).  He stopped in around lunch time to check on me and said everything was looking great.  I immediately loved this guy and was excited that he was going to be the doctor.  Around 3pm Dr. G checked and said I was 10 cm but my contractions were still only 3-4 minutes apart so he was going to run and do a procedure really quick and would be right back.  About 30 minutes later the nurses that were with me that day (amazing amazing amazing women!) decided that my contractions might be about as close as they might get so wanted to see how Myles responded to a push.  

The ONLY reason I was bothered about getting an epidural was because I knew that being on your back was pretty much the worst position to be in.  I asked them if I could raise the bed up so that I was sitting up more.  They quickly got me positioned basically to sitting on the edge of the bed with my legs in the air.  I wanted gravity to help as much as possible despite my epidural.  Grabbing my legs had me pretty much folded in half and I was able (not really wanting to) to see everything that was happening.  The first push went pretty well and Dr. G showed up and was really excited how everything was progressing, so we kept going.  After about 25 minutes of pushing and some amazing coaching from Dr. G and the nurses and Kyle, Myles was born at exactly 4pm on his due date Nov. 13th.  Dr. G basically forced Kyle to cut the cord.  Kyle really just wanted to be a spectator and not a doctor for this experience.  A head full of hair that wasn't cone shaped since he came out so quickly, and a crooked nose was quickly cleaned off by Dr. G (per my request) and skin to skin time went relatively uninterrupted for the next hour.  We did ask one of the nurses to quickly weigh him for our own curiosity part way into our hour of time alone with our son.  

We stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and were surrounded by our families the entire time.  The nurses were completely amazing.  The lactation consultants were extremely helpful since Myles seemed to only want to nurse on one side.  It could not have really been much of a better experience.  Unless they had let me eat while I was waiting for Myles to arrive.  That would have been nice.  

A year later, you are about 21 lbs and 30 inches tall (your doctor's appointment isn't until next week so I'm guestimating here), have basically 6 teeth (4ish on top and two on bottom).  You still eat pretty well but are having issues with your high chair.  You would much rather eat while standing or in my lap.  It might be because daddy is gone, or because I have started progressively weaning you to soy milk.  Or because I have let you do that for snack times and you think you can get away with it at meal time.  Whatever the reason, its annoying.  You love pizza, even weird ones like greek pizza with lots of feta and olives.  I recently tried out peanut butter on you and no allergy!  You are enjoying PB&Js!!!

Not walking yet, but several times a day you will get distracted and let go of whatever is supporting you to hold onto your cup or a ball or something.  You are standing longer and longer amounts of time.  You climb all over everything and try using everything you can as a step stool.  You are certainly mischievous and have perfected your "look".  You know exactly what you aren't supposed to get into or go and look at me and grunt right before you do exactly that.  You love trying to "share" everything with the cats and me and your friends.  You cuddle with everyone and have been known to launch yourself into the arms of complete strangers.

Your hummed "meow" has evolved into "mam mam" every time you see the cats and sometimes you say "buh buh" when you wave goodbye.  You like the "T" sound, going around saying "atttttttt".  We think you are trying to say daddy but it usually comes out as "da Ttttt" it is probably still just a sound to you, more than a word with a meaning.  I think you tried to say "ball" one time while playing with a ball.

We had to make an upgrade this month, you really seem to enjoy being in your big boy car seat now.  A lot less whining and the cupholder is your favorite feature.  For now it is your "snack cup" and you immediately put your hand in there to check for some rogue Cheerios.

you were Dr. Conway for Halloween.  We were your patients.  

It might be you getting older, or just your response to daddy being gone, but you have been extra snuggly lately.  Several times a day you will want up on the couch with me and just sit there or lay next to me for minutes at a time.  I am soaking that time up since all other moments of the day you are busy busy busy all over the house.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you morph from newborn to little boy these 12 months Myles Oliver.  I can't wait to see what you get into next!

survivor story : night float with a kid

A year and a half-ish into residency and we officially have 5 months of nights under our belt. The more we have had, the easier and less ominous those months have become.  I, like anyone in this, have had to figure out what works and what doesn't and my new "rules" will probably work as Myles gets older.  I thought I would share in case others out there haven't figured out a routine that works for them yet.

First, let me sort of map out a typical day when my resident works a day shift.

Myles and I are awake sometime after Kyle leaves for work (6-7am).  Myles currently takes a morning and afternoon nap so we hang out until the first nap (9-10am), at which time I shower and get a chore done before he wakes up.  Then I get us ready to go out for the day, whether to run an errand, meet friends somewhere, or just go out in the yard.  We make it home in time for lunch or Myles' nap, depending on the activity of the day.  During the second nap (2ish- time and length varies), I usually do another chore of some sort or write while I catch up on a show.  Then I need to get a game plan together for dinner so that dinner is started or ready to be started when Kyle lets me know he is headed home (6ish).  Once he is home, we eat and get Myles ready for bed (7pm) before we relax together until bedtime (9-10).

A typical day when my resident works a night float (no rules included).

Myles and I wake up between 6-7am.  Kyle gets home around 7am or later, almost immediately going to bed.  Myles naps 9-10am or so.  We venture out sometime before his second nap which is usually around 2pm and lasts an hour or more.  I wake Kyle up by 3pm.  Kyle gets showered while I heat some food up and sometimes we eat together before he leaves for work again at 4:30pm.  Myles asleep at 7.  I go to sleep whenever I make myself (usually around 10).

Now my "rules".

1. During Myles' naps, I take time for me.  I take a long shower, I watch my shows, I read a book, I sit on the deck.  Other than yard work that needs to be completed during the day, I do not do chores.  Most chores are pretty loud inside (think dishes or vacuuming) and would bother Kyle even with the door shut.  This keeps me sane.  
2. We always have an outing.  We go to the zoo, or walk around Target or meet a friend for a play date.  Sometimes it is just going in the front yard to roll around in the grass.  We get out of the house. This is crucial.  Kyle has gotten better about sleeping through normal daily noise but this lets us worry a little less and not go so stir crazy.  
3. We try to eat with Kyle a couple times a week.  Because family time.  And it is important to me to make sure Kyle has something homemade so he doesn't feel so much like a zombie surviving off of Chick-fil-a and cafeteria food night after night after night.  Sometimes I fail and he ends up eating frozen pizza or chicken strips but he appreciates the trying.  The crock pot is my friend.
4. I do the chores at night.  I have had all of my "me" time during the day and once Myles is asleep for the night, I am alone, so I become productive.  Myles can sleep through everything so no chore is off limit.  It is pretty important that I divide up all of the chores on a calendar so that I don't get overwhelmed and shut down.  One major (like things I can't stand doing) chore per night.  
5. Kyle's days off are time to ask for help with things I can't do alone but otherwise, his days off are protected family time.  Basically, no visitors.  We might decide to do something fun for a couple of hours with some friends but family is discouraged from coming to visit us during these months.

Different things work for different people and every program does things differently. What "rules" work at your house?

currently

Late again.  I have had major plans of being great about writing while Kyle is away.  And then the first day he was gone, I remembered that we share a Macbook charger.  He took it.  So then I hemmed and hawed for a couple of days about what to do because well Macbook chargers are expensive.  So my offbrandpleaselastmeamonth cheaper one just arrived yesterday.  But one little almost one year old didn't get the memo that mommy wants to write and refused to take an afternoon nap.  So then bedtime (!) and my Mac wanted to update to Yosemite and I was like sure why not?!  And my Mac said it would only take 22 minutes... for 2 hours.  So here I am on Saturday speed typing this thing while Myles actually naps even though the link up was on Wed.  Thanks for leaving this sucker open ladies!

currently...

reading: the curious incident of the dog in the night time by Mark Haddon.  I just started this.  I heard about it when Kelly Ripa was talking about it on Live because it has been turned into a play.  She really talked it up so I got in line for the ebook from our library.  Not to be read when you are distracted or sleepy.  Long run on sentences.  Supposed to be about a kid with Aspergers that wants to solve the mystery of who killed the neighbor's dog.  Interesting so far but for a real look into Aspergers I recommend Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison.

wishlisting:  Ever since I majorly downsized my wardrobe, I have been trying to be more thoughtful about what I put back into it.  I have been wanting a puffer vest for a little bit. Yesterday, I noticed a few that I would like to go back to the mall and look at again but I think I have narrowed it down to liking them with zippers.  Who knows.

loving:  apple cider.  Obsessed.  Majorly.  I have been heating it up on the stove with some whole cloves and cinnamon sticks.  So. Good.

appreciating:  Time with my almost 1-year old.  I was really anxious about not having any consistent help for the month, but so far-so good.  Life isn't all roses all day but this is really going rather smoothly.  And it has just been us for a week.  No hanging out with friends.  Am I turning into a hermit?  Oh no.  ALL OF OUR FRIENDS ARE SICK.  So I am also appreciating good immune systems because we have definitely been around all of the sick kids right before they got super sick.  Other than more than normal snot, we have been pretty peachy.

creating:  I made this pretty rad dinosaur blueberry pie last week.  That counts right?  It was definitely a hit.  I used Pillsbury crust and this filling recipe with frozen blueberries.  Definitely will want to remake in the summer when blueberries don't cost an arm and a leg.

linking up with Anne and Jenna.

hear ye! hear ye!

not my house. 

I was going to sit on this post for a bit... wait until after Myles' birthday since its sorta late to do something like this... but I think we can't wait any more. 

This is where I get to be THAT mom.  The mean one.  The weird one.  The "can you believe she just said that to us" one.  Yup.  But thats my job.  And since I try to live life on the edge, I'm going to go there.  And you might just thank me for it.  

ATTENTION ALL GIFT GIVERS

*let me step up on my soapbox for a moment. 

*Ahem*

I am hereto enacting a rule.  

Just hear me out.

I toyed with the idea last year of the 3 present rule that I read about online (one want, one need, and one educational) I mentioned it to my family that I was toying with it.  I had a mostly positive response with a few jokes here and there.  Overall, I was too chicken to declare it to everyone.  But after thinking on it, its a bit too complicated to think about, with too many rules to feel strict on.  So how about I simplify?

For now on, if you buy a present for our child for birthdays or Christmas, you are restricted to 2.

No more than 2 gifts.  

Lets close a couple of loopholes/clarify.  

• One item equals one gift.
• You can't just fill a large bag with ten things and count that as one.  That would be cheating.  
• A full outfit may count as one.  
• A pair of grandparents or family group is limited to two total. ex: Gamma can't give two and Gampa two more.

Now, why are you being this strict evil mom?  I'm glad you asked.  

I don't just willy nilly throw out crazy notions like this.  It has been thought on, stressed over, anxiously conversed with myself since before Myles was born.  It is time I got it out there so I can stop thinking about it.  So lay down your weapons for a minute and just consider my reasons.

• Our society has become way too obsessed with things.  I know Myles will struggle with this too, but I would like to set the tone now for how birthdays and Christmases will just be in our home.  I want my son to grow up looking forward to these times because they mean special moments with family and friends with traditions and Christ.  Not because these are the times when he gets everything he wants and then some.  
• Truth time: I know growing up there were Christmases that me or the other kids in the family would get super excited opening presents and then sulk when we didn't get exactly what we wanted.  Years later, do I remember every present I ever got?  Heck no.  Do I remember baking cookies with my mom and Chex mix with my dad; piling in bed with our new Christmas pajamas on for the yearly family photo; the awesome bunny shaped cakes Nana made when my birthday fell on Easter?  Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  That is the type of stuff I want my kids to focus on because that is what memories are made of.
• There are exactly 6 weeks between Myles' birthday and Christmas.  If you go crazy buying a million things for his birthday, then seriously, what is left for Christmas?  A bunch of crap he doesn't need.
• We do not have room in our home for him to have a million and one toys.  He does not need a million and one toys, he will never play with a million and one toys, so do not stockpile our small house with a million and one toys.  We are here for 4 more years and possibly, eventually one more child and we are already out of closet space.
• If one side of the family buys a hundred toys, then the other side of the family feels like they can't buy any toys, and I sure as heck feel like I will never buy my kid a toy.  Let me feel like I can buy my kid a toy.
• Personally this makes me feel like I can splurge and get him the nicer version of something for these occasions rather than feeling like I need to get a bunch of cheap made in China plastic to feel like I got him "enough".

That wasn't completely unreasonable right?  My love language is gifts but seriously I feel like this is much more freeing than restricting. We don't have to feel like "oh I haven't bought enough because he only has 4 things to open but I'm just not sure what else he needs".  Just get him one or two incredibly thoughtful gifts for these occasions and be done! "Just because" gifts are still allowed and encouraged!    I am not saying you don't get to spoil your grandkid/nephew/friend!  If you see an outfit you want him to have during the year, by all means drop it in the mail and surprise him.  Take him to a bookstore or candy store (eventually) when you are visiting and let him pick out a special treat.   When he is older, take him clothes shopping before school if you want to.

I just would really like to keep from fostering the attitude of entitlement so many kids have.  Its hard enough with all of the advertising that will bombard him his entire life, I don't want it being supported by the act of grandma or grandpa or mom or dad always getting him everything he asks.  

In my home I hope that presents will be the cherry on top. Not the whole dang milkshake.

And yes, my husband is completely on board with this plan.  I would not post something like this without his full backing.

I'm not alone, while trying to find a photo to use, I ran across this and she said it all in a pretty great way as well... I thoroughly second everything in her article so go read it now.

myles oliver : monthbymonth 11

Late again.  Fighting viruses over here.  Myles had a mystery fever two weeks ago, other than being sleepy, he didn't seem sick.  Well thats because it was a sore throat.  I know that because I JUST got over it.  Luckily he only seemed to have it for 48 hours, unluckily, mine lasted a week.

You seem so much bigger but I'm not sure how exactly.  Maybe you gained a pound or so?  I measured you the other day at 29.5 inches so I guess you have gotten a little taller?  You wear a lot of 12 month clothes but 9 months still fit a little better in the waist of pants.

You randomly started lifting your belly off the ground to do some normal style crawling.  It kinda weirded me out.  You were just so fast with the army crawling I don't understand why you randomly wanted to change.  But whatever, you have picked up speed this way now so its a little less strange.  You should be walking any minute so none of it matters.  

It isn't just "bababoo!" being spouted off every minute of the day anymore.  Still no real words but you are definitely exploring sounds.  Finally making dada noises and occasionally throwing in mmm and nnn.  You "clap" most of the time we say "YAY!"; you don't quit have the motion down though so its more like you are slapping the backs of your hands.

A pretty huge thing to me was that we discovered you are actually paying attention to the animals when we go to the zoo now!  You looked at the monkeys and the vultures and pulled at the fence between you and the black swan when your Aunt Tracy and cousin Natalie were in town.  It might actually be worth it to renew the membership for next year.

your crazy eye face.  you make this every time you make
the noise that apparently is the same as The Grudge. (?)

No extra teeth.  Still just the 4 with no extra bumps in sight.  You love to give kisses to everyone and do this by request sometimes, but there have been a few moments when your kisses have turned into bites on Mommy's face.  Ouch.  You really hate being told to "stop".  It makes you whine or cry every time I say that word, even when it isn't directed at you.

my only photo from Fall for Greenville this year.

you loved the chicken yakisoba.

Food wise, you are getting sick of oatmeal every day but the egg restriction makes it hard to do much else.  You aren't super impressed with toast and gluten-free waffles (eggless) end up on the floor after about 2 bites.  You love most fruit but get tired of strawberries pretty quickly sometimes.  Roasted winter squashes are a particular favorite, and you gobble up BBQ chicken sandwiches and hotdogs.

trying to box up old clothes turns into you digging them all out to "sort"

You love dancing whenever there is music and are the friendliest little thing.  You make everyone smile that meets you.  You try to climb on everything, love opening and emptying drawers, and if a door is cracked then it must be flung open.  You are regularly testing me; going to places you know you aren't supposed to go and reaching for things I have told you not to touch and look at me right before you touch it with a little "huh?"  like... "are you sure you don't want me to do it, because I would really like to".  Mischief always.

currently

smelling  cinnamon.  I broke out last year's cinnamon room spray now that it is seasonally appropriate.  I would prefer candles but it is too scary with a grabby kid running around to really use them anymore.  

loving  if you haven't seen yesterday's post, you should.  I had SO much fun doing that one!  And it is really getting me thinking about everything I want to do in other rooms to finish them up!  Narrowing down the paint chips now!

planning  Kyle started his last night float of 2nd year last night.  Thankfully this month we have a little more of real weekends to work with.  He should be home at some point Friday morning and stay home until mid-Sunday morning.  So we can plan dates if we want without feeling too bad about not spending every minute with Myles.  Next week is Fall for Greenville and I cannot wait!  We had such fun last year getting to walk downtown and sample many different (some high end!) restaurants that we normally wouldn't go to.  

baking I tried out some simple cupcakes for Kyle's birthday last month since I am trying to figure out eggless ideas for the big party we probably won't have for Myles (since November is an away rotation and I'm not feeling doing everything and entertaining alone...sorry kid. Mother of the year right here).  Chocolate cake mix + one can Dr. Pepper.  They were a huge hit at our small group but not quite my ideal.  This week I am hoping to try out a simple baked apple.  I have never done them but they sound amazing and easy.

celebrating  in a couple of weeks Myles' bestie Eliza will be turning 1!  So can't wait for the extravaganza!

This week I am linking up with Anne and Jenna for this month's Currently.  :)

room by room : living updated

If you have forgotten what it used to look like or are new to my page you can see it here.  The original post was with absolutely nothing changed to the room.  Just us moving in with our furniture and me taking some pretty terrible photos of the room.  

I have wanted to share the living room for so long.  I almost did this post a couple of weeks ago and then decided to wait until I gave Kyle's birthday present to him so it could be in here.  I have put a lot of time and resources into this room since we spend all of our awake time in it.  It probably has had the most done to it compared to the rest of the house... and I am pretty happy with it, despite a few things I would have done different now that it is mostly finished.

Large throw pillows from TJ Maxx or Marshalls.   I made the small one. 

Shortly after we moved in, Kyle's parents helped me paint the walls in this room.  I love the change that just a coat of paint makes for a room.  Not too much longer (after what seemed like forever) I found the rug on Joss&Main.  I knew I wanted yellow as my accent color but it took forever for someone to finally have a yellow rug at my price point.  

Finally replaced the moldy stacked trunks we were using as a side table.  This one is from Target.  

Elephant print from last year's Indie Craft Parade by Dapper Ink, here in Greenville.

Our damaged coffee table (Value City Furniture) converted to chalkboard top by me.

Special thanks to my girl Aly for helping with the arrangement (on the floor) and to my dad for hanging everything.

Myles' toy basket from TJ Maxx

Kyle's birthday present.  A print by the talented graphic designer Leslie Hill, from our former church small group in Louisville, part of a series called Fifty Two Verses.  I originally intended this for our bedroom but thought it would be better for us to have this truth out in the open where we would see it more often.

Disclaimer to all those who happen to believe that I am a domestic goddess with this immaculate living room:  It was immaculate for the duration of Myles' nap, for the snapping of above photos.  Within minutes, this happened, and it has since gone even further downhill.  Sure. Blame it on the baby.  I'm not... he just caused part of it.  I'm a slob.  I have clutter issues and cleaning happens when I go on anxiety induced cleaning sprees.  You should see the state of the dining room... its holding all of the clutter you can't see in this room.  Shuffle shuffle shuffle.  

So what would I do differently?  The rug would never have been bought if I had known it was the loop kind.  Our black cat Remi picks at it constantly.  It only looks nice right now because I cut off all of the places he had picked out.  I guess that is just the gamble you take when buying something like this online.  The solid yellow pillows also were a "Oh! Thats my color!  We need pretty pillows!" purchase.    They are terribly uncomfortable and Myles is systematically picking off the metal dots.  That is mostly all of my regrets... and costly ones.  

I originally planned to put curtains up but no longer think I will.  I think it would be too much trouble with too much furniture in front of them to really get to enjoy the look.  I have left a space open next to the Elephant for another similarly sized frame to go on that wall.  Unfortunately there was no special print for this year's Indie Craft Parade like I was planning to put there so we will see what ends up on that wall.  I am also hoping to pick out a few more smaller versions of the FiftyTwo verses for our hallway once Leslie has finished her project.  

So there we have it!  I hope to share a few more spaces in the coming weeks.  Man that was fun