Picture Perfect.

A tad bit late...here's Tuesday's picture.

This was taken after church a couple weeks ago. The baby pictured was absolutely fabulous during the service. What can I say? He is my baby. Only kidding. I mean he is my baby and all, oh you know what I mean!

Going in Circles (Not me, silly.)

I'm my own worse nightmare. I have reverted to eating peanut butter out of the jar. It seems I have come to a point in this motherhood life that eating is now a past-time. It seems to be all I want to do anymore. Or rather, the only thing I have time for. This probably explains why I have begun baking all the time. It's something that I can actually accomplish while wearing Garrett. If you were wondering, it appears I don't have an easy baby at all, unless this consists of constant entertaining or holding. Happy and alert, yes. Easy, no. Problem is, when he is 'preoccupied' with something, I feel guilty as if I should be conversing or playing with him. Sometimes mommy-hood is torture. I can't even imagine what my world will be like as this child begins to crawl. At which time, I will officially lose my rights altogether. Whatever rights those were.

Now don't take this the wrong way, but I feel like, since Bryan is with Garrett in the mornings from about 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. that he uses up all his 'preoccupied time'. (a.k.a. mommy free time) I only come to this conclusion because Bryan is less apt to pick him up the minute he cries or is fussy. The other reason I think this is true is because by this point he realizes that I am gone, so when I am at home he wants all of my attention. Is there some great secret to juggling all this? Let's not even get into the cleaning department. (- as it has taken a deep rooted backseat to anything and everything at this point.) What's a mommy to do?

In an effort to give myself a moment of sanity and clarity, I have been popping in a Baby Einstein video here and there. We have about 6 that I rotate as much as possible. Garrett really loves them all, except for the one titled Bach- he never truly focuses on that particular one, but they all last about 20 or so minutes (just the right amount of time for his attention span)... unfortunately not at all enough time for me. Usually, it simply gets me started into something, only to have to quit in the middle of what I am doing. Sometimes, I am really bad and restart the dang thing just to finish what it is I am doing. Like now. (Cough, Cough.)

Let's however, get the record straight, I am not a mother that plops or intends to plop her child in front of the television. I frankly think that this is what's wrong with the world today. That and the wonderful computer. (And yes, I am indeed calling the kettle black on that one.) I do feel pushed up against the wall as a mother though on this matter. I mean when is it too much and is this too young to use the television? I know many balk at the idea of allowing a baby to see videos and such, but really what is a mother to do and what in the world did mothers years and years ago do to get a small moment to themselves? Maybe the 'me' of mommy didn't exist back then. I don't know, I know there certainly isn't an easy solution and I can only do my best with what I believe is right or appropriate.

Well, it looks like it's time to go get some more peanut butter. Garrett is staring at me wide eyed as he completes his fifth circle in less than five minutes.

And for the record, honey peanut butter is really much better than the plain stuff.

(Suggestions, as always are welcome.)

Two for Tuesday

We did it. We fed the little man his first solid foods. Yup, I said it. So go ahead and flame me now.

Wanna know what his first tastes, were? Avocados. In all honesty, he has actually been eating rice cereal for about 2 weeks now. I know, but listen he was ready...sometimes ya just know. If you don't believe me just take a closer look at that face. Of course, it looks like most of it landed everywhere except in his mouth. Hey, it's the experience that counts. Up next, oatmeal cereal.

Who's ready for some pigskin?

Today was the opening of the college football season (in case you weren't aware). I'm a guy's girl all the way. I love the fall and I love college football. Although, I'm not so much a lover of the NFL or other major league sports. I am strictly a lover of college sports.

I'm not really for sure where the love comes from, maybe it was the camaraderie my father and I found watching VA Tech throughout the years together. Or maybe it was because of the sheer fact that I chose to go to one of the only universities (sporting some 25,000 students in total) that doesn't boast a football team. I had to make up for it somehow, right? (As luck would have it 6 years after my graduation they are due a team of their own. Woo-hoo!) Which brings to mind that I will have 3 official college football teams to cheer, rave and rant about relentlessly next season. What more could a pigskin loving gal ask for?

Perhaps, a spunky football fascinated little man? And that's exactly what we got...here's a few pics of Garrett chanting 'GO HOKIES!' and then laying back on the couch imitating his Daddy. He did a great impersonation by the way.

Unfortunately, Bryan had to work during all the season opening action, but Garrett and I were ready to cheer our teams on even if they were inexperienced and off their game. We still love ya and promise never to be fair weather fans.

Tuesday's Gone with the Wind

This was actually taken about a month ago. I simply wanted to look back and see how much he is growing. I'm sad because all of a sudden it seems like it's going by way too fast. We weighed him today and he is almost 17 lbs! What's that about? I miss my little baby. Time sure is precious.

The Crunchy Lifestyle

I have always 'talked' about being green, but I never walked the walk so to speak. I did little things, but now that Garrett has come along I have really started taking the initiative to be better and greener. Therefore, I wanted to share one of our green habits.

My good friend Sarah mentioned on her blog that she finally purchased canvas bags for grocery shopping, so I thought I would share a picture of my own to demonstrate how big and sturdy they are and just how readily available they are becoming. I purchased mine before Garrett was born. I was sick of telling baggers to 'limit' all that plastic (between the double bagging and 2-3 items per bag...it was ridiculous, I was starting to think they were in co-hoots with bag makers.) I gave my spill, every single trip to the grocery store on the environmental devastation of plastic only to receive blank looks. After a few years of those stares, I finally found the bag you see to the right at Office Depot for $1.99. I bought 3- I wish I had bought even more they're so roomy and sturdy.

Like Sarah said, I feel good when I walk out of the store with them. It makes me proud to be Garrett's mother because I know I am doing a small part to make sure he has an environment to live in! To give you an idea of their size, Garrett was generous enough to use himself to show a comparison. I'm telling you, they are the brown paper bag of the future, except they can hold even more. If I haven't convinced you yet to make the change, isn't Garrett enough? Seriously though, habit is all the effort it takes to become more green in this department.

Plus just look how much stuff they hold. I had 2 big boxes of cereal, a huge tub of butter, yogurt, a container of pre-cut veggies, marshmallows, a bag of frozen spinach and frozen fruit bars in the bag from this particular excursion. I promise you aren't going to be able to get that much in one plastic or brown paper bag. When I really go shopping, you know those $150 - $200 trips, I usually end up only needing 4 bags for everything. (I have a canvas tote from my doctor that I also use to make sure I don't get any plastic from those pesky baggers!) Finally, if you haven't noticed, take a look at that ticker over on the right of my blog to see how many plastic bags are being used. I am almost certain that less than half of those are even recycled. And what's worse, plastic is useless UNLESS it is recycled and then it only has but so many lives. So come on whatcha' say, make that switch today and be an advocate for your little one and their future.

Visit Crunchy Chicken for the real deal on being green!

Would anyone like to see a once a week green day?

Tuesday's picture...just a few days late!

Somebody else seems irritated.

Perhaps his top ten includes "irritated at that Mommy character for constantly taking my picture" or "spending another 15 minutes in this awful contraption"?

Busy as a Bee

We don't really have a nickname for Garrett, but I have started calling him Baby Bee. I'm not really for sure why, but I guess that's the funny thing about nicknames. This post isn't about nicknames, although Garrett is called all kinds of things throughout the day and the subject might make for a good post....

Anyway, when I called him that tonight as I was getting him ready for bed it made me think of how busy I have been the last two weeks. It seems that Garrett has turned a corner in development and I have reluctantly increased my hours at work. In case, you were wondering or missing me at all this is the reason. I have also been trying to organize our cluttered house and get rid of a few things. I thought I might have a chance to work on my 'side projects' at some point, but I haven't figured out how to work those in yet. I think once the clutter is gone and I finish past projects (like organizing our endless supply of pictures, getting Garrett's scrap/baby book current or painting his step stool) I will get the chance. Looks like I have a touch of ADHD, starting so many things at once. I have always said I have too many hobbies.

It doesn't look like Garrett has that problem as he keeps trying and trying at everything. He is now holding everything like a pro, rolling over and inch worm crawling! (At least that's what he looks like when he does it.) He has a tooth cropping up and loves to laugh. Oh and he has started lifting up on his arms and raising his belly. It's the cutest thing in the world! What's not to love about this baby? He makes it all so very worth it when it's put into perspective. So that's what the pictures in the post are for, a reminder if you will of how the good Lord does answer our prayers.

Like I was saying, I am now working 30 hours a week as opposed to a mere 15. We were just getting by- mainly because I have a few bills that take up what I do make and because of a loan and car payment. I hate not being more capable. The straw that broke the camel's back was the news that we have to have flood & hurricane coverage effective immediately. It seems the powers that be in the insurance world decided that anything in our county east of the waterway is in a more liable area for disaster. Which isn't really a surprise considering we are less than 2 miles from the ocean. What did surprise us is the cost of the insurance, it's going to be an extra $3000 a year. Whoever said "When it rains it pours", knew exactly what they were talking about because we have had financial misfortune back to back since our tree fell down last August. I'm hoping this is the last of it. We are still paying off Bryan's appendectomy, along with our doctor and hospital bills. Hopefully, we can pay enough of those to get a nice tax deduction.

This all leaves little free time for me and I am trying to be a big girl about it and not be too disappointed. Garrett and I are working on a new schedule. That's taking up some precious time, too. We have to be up early now regardless of Daddy's. Bryan and I have been doing good, to me that's a testament of our love and lets me know we can make it through anything! God willing I will be able to start a business of my own that generates enough income to get us ahead, allows me to be home with Garrett and let's me use my God-given talents (because, I have tons of ideas). I also hope my eczema clears up for GOOD...those are my prayers. But, the most important job I want to have is the ability to spend as much time with Garrett as possible.

My 3 day hiatus

I can't really say much happened in the past 3 days, except some good ol' family fun. Overall, it was kinda a 'strange' weekend. But, nonetheless, OUR weekend.

I'm absolutely unsure what was accomplished Saturday, except that I was possibly recovering from either a strep infection or an ear infection, whatever it was I was given a prescription of Amoxicillin. This now ups my total pill popping every single day to a whooping 14 pills. Don't freak out, they aren't drugs...just herbal supplements and daily vitamins. It's still a heck of a lot of pills. I'm a pill popper. Yeah Yeah Yeah. (sung to the tune of "I'm a wheel watcher") I'll explain more on my supplements another day, I promise they aren't drugs. So stop worrying already.

Bryan had Sunday and Monday off, which made it our weekend of sorts. We attempted to watch a Grateful Dead Cover band, only to realize eating food was going to be impossible with a bunch of drinking and smoking hippies. We were hoping for more of a festival type atmosphere. It was also extremely crowded, more so than we anticipated and felt Garrett probably was better off not being in that type of crowd. Therefore, we headed off to Mellow Mushrooms instead and had some groovy pizza. We were able to be psychedelic after all. ; )

(Now, you guys really think I am either a druggie or crazy. I assure you that I am neither. I promise words can be deceiving, too.)

I found out I missed going out with one of my "single non-mommy" friends last Sunday to none other than a Reagae festival on a gorgeous and not very hot day, at the Inlet. Yeah, go figure...that's what I get for me and my homebodiness.

We have changed numerous poops in our cloth diapers and are still hanging in there. You guys probably thought we had given up since I hadn't mentioned them anymore. Rest assured, we haven't and I will give a thorough rundown very, very soon. I actually believe I am addicted to cloth diapers because I want to buy more...yet the funds, they are very low.

Which brings me to my biggest reason for not posting in the last few days. I was lost pondering how to start making money without having to get a 2nd job or a first real job for that matter. I have been meaning to blog about my ideas for sometime and Carol Beth's post the other day was kind enough to remind me.

I'm just not for sure where to begin, as I have plenty-o ideas, problem is many require skill or cash. Two things I'm not exactly brimming with. That's not completely true, I just hate to announce some awesome skill and then it be little to nothing. I am cooking something up and will be 'unveiling' it shortly, hopefully in a couple of weeks. So be sure to stay tuned for my future creations. This is going to happen, I am determined to be a WAHM!! (a.k.a. Work at Home Mom)
In the meantime, I have decided to share a touching photo on Tuesdays every week. We'll see how it goes, it might just be cheesy. Of course, I do LOVE cheese! Anyway, here's my first Tuesday photo! This was taking place as I was walking out the door yesterday morning (on my way to work). Isn't that just the sweetest thing in the world and look how interested my little man is, as his Daddy reads to him the book "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Suess.