There is a fine line

I think there is a fine line between asking questions to get advice and to learn from a friend and trying to one up a friend with the way you parent your child. A friend of mine did a week of what kind of mom are you. I loved reading what other mom's wrote about their thoughts and attitudes toward being a mom. I feel like I am still on the new mom block so I don't have too much insight on the type of mom I think I am compared to the type of mom I actually am.

I thought I would be a loving mom - reality is I am a loving mom.
I thought I would not care about organic foods and making my own baby food - reality is I do care about those things and try to make my own food - even more reality is store bought baby food is so much easier.
I thought I would be a stay at home mom immediately - reality is I am a working mom and have found a good balance - even more reality is I still want to be a stay at home mom and know that one day that will happen (it is what gets me through the day)
I thought I would not be too scheduled as a mom - reality is I am a scheduled mom with my baby and it works - even more reality is my baby is on his own schedule and I work his schedule
I thought I would care more about milestones and making sure my baby is on track - reality is I don't worry with milestones because I am really enjoying every moment with my baby - even more reality is my baby is on track and he gives me no reason to worry (praise the Lord)!

I have been blessed beyond belief this year but being blessed with a healthy baby and a happy home is not the point of my post today. I saw this video on a blog I read here and this video made me laugh out loud. I have been in these types of conversations but hopefully NEVER to the extend of comparing myself. I know it happens and my mind does go in that direction sometimes, but I immediately try to get in a different frame of mind and realize that questions are to help me understand how to raise my sweet little man and to gain helpful advice. However with all of that said...this video is priceless and I hope you enjoy it.

5 thanks: October

Yes, I realize it is November now, but this post has taken me a long to get organized. The main reason is I could not get my video to load on utube. But I have it together and am thankful :)

Today I am taking the lead of a good friend of mine. You can check out her blog here. She did a post the other day about being thankful. This is the time of year to start thinking about the things we are thankful for with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner. I admit that most of the time I dwell on the negative parts of life too much. In fact this blog post has become a bit of a interpersonal challenge. More so than I would have thought. It has actually taken me several days to write this post b/c I want more than I am thankful. This has also been a topic of discussion in our house lately. I want this and I want that...but because I want does not mean I am not thankful for what I do have. Somehow and someway it is in my DNA to want and need things. It can be a problem b/c I am too busy wanting the next thing in life that I don't always stop and appreciate what is around me. It is a personal tug of rope for me.

My five things maybe a little broad but I am so very thankful for these things in life and I thank God every night for these blessings.









I am thankful to be able to spend time with this little treasure at Mommy and Me. To have this program available in Hattiesburg and to be able to participate as a working mom brings more joy to me than I can express.

Our 1st Saints Game

This past weekend was an unusual one. I went to Columbus for a meeting and then met my parents in Starkville for lunch. They were in town for MSU's Homecoming. Then I rushed home to see the MSU game with my boys. Well actually just Owen and Ralphie since Andrew went to sleep at kick off. Then on Sunday we decided last minute to go to the Saints game. Owen had a friend who was selling his tickets so we bought them, went to to Wal-mart to get Saints shirts and headed to New Orleans. We had a great time. We were probably so funny to watch b/c the three of us were giddy entering the dome. I have never been to the Superdome and neither had Owen. It was a first experience for all of us. Our seats were very high up and that made me nervous at first. But once I got settled in, the height didn't bother me as much. Andrew had a great time. He made friends with everyone around us. It was a pleasant experience and one we will definitely do again. Too bad the Saints didn't play very well.




As you can see we had a great family experience in New Orleans watching the Saints play!

I think Andrew is going to think every weekend is a football game weekend. We are going to Starkville next weekend for the Kentucky game. Our little man is going to know the game of football very well.

Finally Friday Foto

It is FINALLY FRIDAY and I have the cutest FOTO of a little guy.



My Sweet Friend Dara got this shirt for Andrew and to say I love it - just doesn't express how much I really do love it (does that make any sense)?? Do you see that cute little one year old in the background? That is our friend Brantley. Andrew actually kissed Brantley that day and everyone in the room noticed which embarrassed Andrew. He turned to find me so I could give him a big hug and kiss. He soon forgot he was embarrassed.

This week is a bit of a blur for me. I have been in a sinus infection/allergy fog for 5 days now. It has not been fun. I took a personal day yesterday to go to a Garden Club meeting and to get my hair cut. I cut it shorter and am not 100% sure of what I think about the cut. A year and half ago I cut it short and HATED the way I looked in pictures. And I am afraid I might have done the same thing again. I want a hair cut that is flattering yet easy to fix. I am having trouble describing exactly what I want to the lady who cuts my hair. Luckily hair grows back so I am not going to worry too much. I got so many compliments last month with my hair cut and now I think I messed up a good thing by going a little shorter.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Weekend Fun

We had a fun weekend at home this past weekend. It was one of those weekends when there was nothing on the agenda except to spend time together as a family. We relished in the free time. One of Owen's customers gave us a swing for Andrew. They are grandparents and their grandkids are too old for the swing so they passed it down to us. We were very appreciative.

Owen making sure Andrew is secure in the swing and Andrew not sure what to make of the swing :)




It is safe to say Andrew LOVED the swing...

On Sunday we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and go to the Long Leaf Trail. Ralphie was even included in this 2 1/2 mile walk. Both of the boys fell asleep immediately when we got into the car. It was a priceless moment.



This past weekend was one of our last lazy weekends. The rest of the year is jam packed full of travel, birthdays, and holidays.

My busy bee

Andrew is becoming quite the busy bee at Mommy and Me (well every where for that matter).

Andrew singing with Ms. Madelene, our teacher


Andrew going through Brantley's bag...

We are definitely in the midst of a fun, happy, explorer :) I love him so much.

My 1st home made wreath

In case you did not know I have two versions of myself. I have the artistic person inside me who thinks I am super creative and can make anything I see. Then I have the realistic person inside me who says..."no really you should just buy that". Well the artistic side came out for Halloween. I saw Halloween wreaths at a festival and they were selling for $50 plus. I thought to myself..."I can create a wreath for cheaper than $50". So I attempted.

Here is my attempt at being creative. I think the $50 ones probably looked better, but I am proud of my wreath.



Owen thinks I should have added orange for color. I am neutral about that idea.

My boys

This weekend was USM's homecoming. There was a parade and our downtown had an art walk. We didn't make it to the parade, but were very excited about the art walk. It is an outdoor event so we brought Ralphie along. Well...to say the art walk was lame does not even give it the right description. There was no art. Ok...to be fair there was a guy doing pencil sketches and a man with some paintings. But in years past the art walk would have a lot of vendors and it had an arts and crafts feel to it. This year...not so much. It was really sad. But we made the most of it and ate at a pizza restaurant. We were able to sit outside so Ralphie could join us.

Here are pictures of my sweet boys.



Yes this is my "sweet" puppy...I had no idea he was making this face...I think it is hilarious b/c he looks so mean. But Ralphie is the farthest from mean.


My Hubby


My Sweet Little Man

Finally Friday

This week has seemed so long. I am so glad it is Friday.

I thought I would leave the week with a cute picture of my little man. We went walking yesterday with Amanda and Brantley. Andrew was not his chipper self...in fact he was down right cranky. :) Even in his crankiness he is still the cutest little man I know.

It's my favorite day of the week

I am trying to become more up date in the world of technology. Today is another attempt at this goal.



This is Andrew at Mommy and Me. We had a great time. I am also learning my new phone and realized I could take video today instead of really blurry pictures (which is what I normally take). Maybe next week I can have a longer clip of our fun time at Mommy and Me.

10 Months Old

Look Who is 10 Months Old??



My sweet Andrew turned 10 months on Sunday. We celebrated by having a day at home. He was in a very playful mood so he played and played until he went to sleep last night. We love watching him grow and discover his world.

On Friday we went to Starkville for the MSU game. As always, we had a great time and Andrew adapted well to the hotel room. He actually slept really well - and I was very thankful for that. My sinuses are terrible right now and I am thankful for any sleep I can get.

Here are some fun facts about Andrew:

* He is crawling every where and only crawls like a big boy, no more army crawl
* He is pulling up
* He has let go and stood by himself a couple of times
* No new words or sounds this month
* No new teeth this month
* He is growing like a weed - I can't keep him full, he is constantly hungry

Things we are going to work on this month:

* Weening off the bottle to a sippy cup. He drinks water out of the sippy cup, but I have attempted formula yet.
* Expand his menu for eating

Here are more pictures of my little man from this month

They should be models

Yes, I am that mom who thinks their child is adorable and should be a model. Where is his talent scout? :) But I also think my friends' children are also adorable. Can you blame me? Look at these two cuties.





The weather is finally nice enough for us to enjoy play dates outside. My friend Amanda and I took our sweet babies for a stroller ride on the Long Leaf Trace in Hattiesburg. I am sad to admit but this was my first time on the Trace. We loved it! We walked for an hour. It was fun to visit and the littles really enjoyed being pushed. Andrew and Brantley were so cute together. They would reach out and hold hands while we pushed them. It seemed like a sweet chapter out of a Nicholas Sparks Novel. Yes, I realize that they aren't even one yet, but young love has to start somewhere :)