May 24, 2011

The Month of May

I cannot believe this month is almost over!

It has been a doozy for sure.

Here's a brief recap:

My sister, Megan, graduated from college.

Bradley was baptized.

Mother's Day commenced.

Bradley turned five months!

Jeremy competed in the Warrior Dash.

We had our first road trip with Bradley; we were gone for five days and survived!

We had a funeral for a family pet.

And Rebekah, my youngest sister, graduated high school.

Whew. I am exhausted and have a lot to catch you up on!!

No worries. This week and next will bring all kinds of fun posts about all these adventures.

I just didn't want you to think that I was ignoring you or anything. This has just been quite a month. :-)

May 6, 2011

A Great Read: The Book Thief

I love to read.

The characters and I become friends.

I walk beside them and grow as they grow.

I see the places they travel, feel their pain, and rejoice as they rejoice.

And when the story ends, I have a moment of silence to remember and to mourn that we must now part.

To me, books are wonderfully beautiful.

My latest read is definitely one of my favorite.



The Book Thief by Markus Zusak takes you to the 1930s and 1940s in Germany when Hitler reigns. It is an amazing book about a little girl in a foster home figuring out life in a communist country through the books that she steals and a Papa that loves her so much that he, an uneducated painter, teaches her to read those books and how to love. Told through the eyes of Death, you would think that this book were depressing or dark. But ironically, I found myself smiling through most of it. The Book Thief shows that words are powerful and can be both good and bad. Follow those words by action and one can make a difference in a horrible world. Even a thirteen-year-old girl.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great summer read. It's a book that promises to leave a bit of it behind on your heart.

May 5, 2011

Video of the Week: First Feeding

I have been waiting for this day for MONTHS. I kid you not. My favorite memory of my siblings was feeding them and watching them eat baby food. They used to get so excited and make such a mess. Plus it was always a game at our house. And, as you know, I LOVE games.

So... when the doctor gave us the okay to start introducing solids, I literally jumped for joy.


Bradley has been watching me eat for a while and I'm guessing Parker let him in on how good adult food is. So we knew he'd like it.

But I'll let you watch it for yourself :-)

May 4, 2011

Whinings of A New Mom

My house has been a mess for approximately 2 months.

This was when Bradley stopped sleeping through most of the day.

This was also when I decided to take in every moment with him and cease to do things that are necessary for my well-being... like having a clean house.

You see, I am a clean freak and I like order.

Neither of these things has happened.

This has caused me to feel overwhelmed.

Then, I came up with an awesome solution to make all parties happy. Hire a maid.

We'd get her to come once a month and just help me with the vacuuming, dusting, windows, and baseboards.

And it would only be until Bradley turned 1.

Brilliant, right??

And, trust me, necessary.

So my quest began.

Immediately, I got the names of two highly recommended maids. One wouldn't return my calls and one scheduled a cleaning and then didn't show...

So I just figured third times the charm.

Maid number three wouldn't answer her phone and had no answering machine.

Was I deterred in my quest?? Nope. I continued on... with fervor.

We were starting to name the dust mites so I was getting more and more desperate.

Maid number four was completely booked.

And then came number five.

I scheduled her immediately... on the first call. Call me stoked!

And then she called me at 1 a.m.

Not cool.

And then she called to cancel.

Really not cool.

In case you are wondering, here's the scorecard.

Maids = 5     Me = 0

Yes, I am taking this as a sign that God wants me to clean my own darn home.

Yay.for.me......

May 3, 2011

Oreos = McFatty

Last week, I decided I was going to make Oreo Trifle.

I bought all the ingredients. Brownie mix, Oreos, Whipped Topping, chocolate pudding, and a Hershey Bar

But I didn't want to eat it all alone. And I had no party.

So I decided to go ahead and eat the Oreos. Out of the group, it would go stale first, right?

As I ate the Oreos throughout the week, I kept thinking, "I am so glad that Jeremy noticed these Oreos and is helping me eat them; he loves Oreos."

I seriously had this thought e.v.e.r.y. t.i.m.e. I opened the Oreos.

Then, on Saturday, Jeremy brings the bag of Oreos into the living room and this is how our conversation went.

Me: "I am so glad you noticed the Oreos and have been helping me eat them."

Jeremy: " Um.. I just now noticed them."

Me: "You are kidding me."

Jeremy: "No."

Me: "No, I'm serious. They've been disappearing kinda fast and I know it hasn't been just me."

Jeremy: "It wasn't me helping you."

Then, Jeremy opens the bag and, internet, what does he find???

One oreo.

I kid you not.

One stinkin' oreo.

Yes, I ate about a hundred and Jeremy ate one.

And so now we have the source of my problem in loosing the last 8 pregnancy pounds.

And the reason I haven't eaten since.

May 2, 2011

Bradley and Parker

Ah. Bradley and Parker.

I get asked all the time how Parker has done with the new addition to our family.

And I seriously could not rave enough praises on him. Parker is one amazing dog.

I have so enjoyed watching their friendship blossom.


Bradley is completely fascinated by Parker. He watches his every move.


He talks to him and tries to pet him.


Parker likes to pretend like he doesn't care.


But if he were completely honest, he'd tell you how much he loves Bradley- how when Bradley screams out, he is the first to run to his rescue. And how snuggling with him is highly enjoyable.


He will also tell you that he can't wait for him to get older and can play with him.



He will then go on to tell you that if he were even more honest, he'd have to admit that the additional toys are pretty awesome too.





Yup, I think if Parker could speak, he would tell you that he wouldn't trade Bradley for anything. 

(Video taken in February before the infamous roll over)




(Ok... so we are little behind on getting videos to you.. another one from February.)