The Peanut Gallerie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYm_iBxtbX0

(I know.. our sense of humor is ... unique)

We've been watching BSG now for a few weeks. I still haven't seen the last season, but since Austin hasn't seen any of it, I decided to refresh.

It was still early... not exactly James' bedtime, but he decided that wasn't going to stop him. By the end of the show we found him past out under the recliner. Completely out.

Amazed... and jealous. Wish I could sleep like that.

We missed the opportunity to celebrate Evan's birthday, but we just had to go see all of our friends before they all got even older!

James had a wonderful time seeing Auntie Sarrah and playing with Evan and Ethan. He even met a few new friends.

Speaking of...

James has a new friend at La Petite. His name is Carson and they are best friends :) When one of them shows up, they lock eyes and start to scream and laugh. Their favorite thing to do is jump off the big blocks! Oh, they have such a wonderful day together. I'm so happy James has made him his friend. Carson was having difficulty adjusting to day care life. I guess he had spent a lot of time at home with his mommy. Now, him and James have fun together and learn from one another. In fact, I went to go pick James up the other day and I heard Carson chant "uh, oh, ah!"... James had been saying this for weeks, but we had no idea where it came from... now we know... we just don't know which one started it?

Silly boys.

James was one of the Giants players that they call Panda. We went to Grammie and Grumpie's house in Granite Bay to trick or treat.

The first house was confusing for a little panda. We climb the stairs, knock on the door, say "trick or treat", reach in a bowl, put it in the bag, say "thank you" and go back down the stairs. (I mention the stairs because they were his favorite part of the journey... I'm sure if he'd known there was candy involved, he would had shifted his focus.)

By the fourth house, he got it down. He would go up to the house and get the "stuff" from the bowl and put it in his little bag.

We only made it to about 6 houses. Enough time to see the end of the game. Of course, Austin brought a radio, just in case... plus, every house we went to, let us know the score, lol.

I am so excited about the holidays coming up. It will be the first with my new growing family :)

I can't wait to go and cut down a tree... make a fire.. listen to Christmas music with you. Have you open presents! That papas and I are amped.

We went to the Air Force museum the day after we got in. That place was huge! It was so amazing to see the history. These planes were made of wood and cloth. Scary to think people actually sat in these and flew them, lol.

The other fun stuff we found in Ohio was all of the good food.

Austin ate the "Thurminator" at the Thurman cafe. Big patties, lots of ham, four kinds of cheese. This thing was big. Sarrah and I shared the Italian sub... man was that tasty.

It was just nice to spend all of that time with each other as a family and with our relatives. My grandpa got to show Austin the garden and although, Austin doesn't eat veggies, he acted liked he appreciated my grandpa's talent.

It was nice to see the Elizondos too. That's a lot of family :)

My aunt Rhonda.... how I miss her so much. I wish we had more time. It was so difficult to say goodbye.

Overall, the trip was great. We're looking forward to our next vacation. One of these days... Disneyland :)

The kids at daycare all say "James!" when he enters the room. (He's like Norm without all the alcohol.) The kind of person you just want to know and glad he was able to be a part of your life.

It's got to be that laugh.

There's just something different. Like how he rarely cried when he was a baby. This attitude of living in the moment and loving the day.

From what I hear, most kids first learn how to say "no". That they constantly let know you they understand the word and know how to use it. That, as a parent, you are being told "no" by your toddler with almost every task. Seems silly since the one word you don't want them to abuse, you have to constantly repeat because they need to learn what not to do.

James' word is "Ya!".

(He says it with such excitement too).

"James, do you want more crackers?"

"Ya!"

"James, is that the Tiggerbear?"

"Ya!"

"James, are you touching papa's stuff that you should be touching?"

"Ya!"

It's the most adorable thing. I know he'll eventually learn no and want to tell me that all the time. For now... it's nice this little optimist is following in his mama and papa's footsteps.

"Be the best person you can be... Let God handle the rest."

And this peanut has got it down. He's moving forward on two feet.

It's amazing to see him walk... scary to think of all the new things he can now get into, but really cool to see him grow.

It's going to be a rough month... but I'm going to take a note from my little guy... and take it one step at a time.

The downside. I never have time to write in my blog! But it's a tradeoff and I'll just have to cope.

With that, much more exciting times are definitely coming our way. First and foremost, our trip to Ohio! It will be great to see the family and introduce them to my wonderful man and adorable, talkative, walking little baby boy :)

10. Craisins

9. Tortillas

8. Raspberries

7. Oranges

6. Hamburger

5. Bread

4. Blueberries

3. Cheerios

2. Corn

1. Sweet Peas

Yep, number one spot goes to sweet peas. He can't get enough. Silly man. This week we are going to try a few more things.

Sweet potato, apple, banana, tomato, green beans (again), carrots (again), asparagus (if he's really up for it ;). We'll see what he likes... or doesn't. We've learned that no matter how many times we try, he does not like strawberries.

He does like a bottle before bed.

I don't know how it started. Maybe it was a convenience for a single work at home mother. To calm him, I would give him a bottle before bed. I know. I've read not to do this, sigh. He now has teeth, and really shouldn't be drinking formula right before bed. Plus, he has been soaking the bed (even with nighttime diapers). Last night was the first night of breaking the habit.

He cried, I sobbed.

Not in the room, but after the ordeal was over. It made me so sad, but I knew the best thing to do, was to be a strong parent. I never want to make him sad, but here I was... not giving my child what he wanted. It was my first real attempt at not raising a spoiled kid.

I understand why people take the easy route.

Breaks your heart to hear the little cries. I can't even think straight. Yet, here we are. Next morning. James woke up in a good mood and he's now sitting next to me, eating Cheerios and craisins.

As if nothing happened the night before.

Austin had bought me a gym membership back in March. I have been waiting for the stars to align so that everything would be perfect and I could go, but as weeks passed, I realized.. Oh yeah, I need to make the time... just like everything else.

This morning I woke up at 7am. It seems like late to some of you, but that's early for me... well, early to do it on my own. James usually wakes up at 6:30am. This morning was different. This morning James slept in and the stars aligned.

I only went for a half an hour... but the difference in how I feel today says everything. It's like I finally started my morning off right and now all I want to do is eat good all day long. I had breakfast! To some of you, I'm sure you're thinking.. whoopie. But for those that know me, know I haven't eaten breakfast since 1990 something.

Who knew?

Just 30mins of cardio in the morning and you have a kick in your pants all day. Which led to me feeding James cantaloupe this morning. He loved it! Then Austin went on a run and took the Tiggerbear.

Me.

I did that.

I got my family started on the right foot this morning :) All I had to do was be the example. I feel more energized this morning than I ever have sleeping in all those other days.

It started a few weeks back on my birthday. Austin and I had spent the day driving around to antique shops. He bought me a cast iron muffin tin. Each muffin was shaped as a different fruit or leaf. It's adorable and I can't wait to use it.

We also browsed some rings. We're searching for an antique looking one. Later that day, we dropped James off with his parents and went to dinner. It was our first date in a very long time.

We were giggly.

Like on our first date. We started asking each other questions again. With all of our energy going into James, we forget to spend time on each other. We had so much fun.

I spoke with a friend of mine. She knew exactly what I meant and completely agreed! Her husband and her try to go on date night every week. It's so important, she expressed.

So, we've been setting aside a few hours every Thursday. (Thank God for Austin's family and their help :) One week, we actually got to see a movie. I know, impressive. We've been to pizza places and Sizzler (don't knock it, it's all you can eat) and I got to have sushi!

We reconnect.

We focus on each other, if not, just for those few hours. Believe me... it does wonders to the relationship. We were doing good before. We communicate superbly. We handle finances like pros. There's just something different when we get those few moments... like a bigger spark takes over.

I fall in love all over again.

It started at a birthday party.

James sat in front of the wheels on this little school bus. They were spinning. James just sat there and watched it go round and round, every once in a while, giving it a good tug to make it go again.

Those that know James, know he loves fans. Austin and I will occasionally turn the fan on and off to get it to spin and give James something to look at as he drifts off to sleep. He's a thinker. He likes to figure out how they work (and loves pushing buttons).

Austin got this idea.

We went to Home Depot. I just followed him around not really understanding the vision inside his head, but the faith that he knew what he was doing. He wanted to build something for James, he said.

After work, I walk into James' room to find this.

Austin is thrilled to have made this exciting toy for him and James is just so thrilled to have a fan he can touch :)

I apologize, but this tends to take a backseat to real life... and trust me, real life be crazy. First off, James is growing so fast! I've got playdates for James, birthdays for me, visiting with my family, hanging out with Austin's family.. and I can't forget date night (otherwise, Austin and I would have no time to reconnect).

Luckily, working from home has really paid off. I get to play with baby all day! (Well, not all day. There is some work involved.) The other day, Austin and I made the baby a fort. He wasn't opposed to it... it just seemed to put him in a very calming state. (I'll have to remember that one.) Lol, he just sat there all swaddled.

Oh.. so much fun the baby is :)

One. I don't have my programs and unless I get a really great shot without needing any touch up, I won't post it. (and peanuts move around.. a lot.. so with an old camera, it's very difficult not to get some blurry image across your screen.)

Two. You really have to see James in true form to appreciate him. He runs around everywhere. I know babies get mobile and they crawl a lot, but he is all over the place! His little babbles also add to the cuteness.

This morning was not the case.

He has been a bit of a grumpy gills lately. Throwing fits when he doesn't get his way or we tell him he can't touch something. It's hard to see his little face sad like that, but then again, I don't want to raise a spoiled child. I stay strong. "No, James, you cannot grab the phone cord.. or the electrical outlet... or go in the bathroom and play with the toilet... or grab books off the shelf... or..."

As you may have noticed, we decided to shave off the baby-hawk. It was getting too long and started to curl at the top when we put it up. He has so many looks, lol. I can't get over how much older he looks now... like a little man :)

Meanwhile, Austin is in the reserves and had to shave off his facial hair. It's .... different... and takes some getting use to.

I'll post a picture when I'm ready.

One, that you can't eat Cheerios when there is a binkie still in your mouth. Two, Tigger realized that this new little person that has taken all this attention, likes to share his food.

He's loud, whiney, and complains a lot. Sometimes, I'm in the middle of a job and he comes over wanting to talk. He tells jokes (half of which don't even sound like English). It's as if he doesn't understand that I have work to do?

I've tried talking with the Big Boss, but it seems I somehow got this promotion to supervise, without the extra pay. When did I sign up for that?

While I take delight in your morning shenanigans, it would be greatly appreciated if you kept it down. Your mommy is very tired and trying to sleep. Your cute little babbles and shaking of the crib loose their adorableness at 6am. It is no longer funny despite the smile on my face. You should know better. Furthermore, the added blanket over the head, while a nice touch, only reminds me that you think it's playtime. It is in fact, not playtime, but sleeping in time. You should be well aware of how many times I got up last night to put you back to sleep (once). You should also be aware that I need to wake up at 8:50am and roll out of bed to start work from home. It is a hard life. Many lessons will be learned. One of the more important lessons is, "Do not poke the sleeping bear". I am giving you a warning this time. I feel the need to hand this out only because it seems you are deciding to wake up earlier and earlier each morning. I am afraid that by Sunday, I'll be up at 5am... and since church doesn't start until 10am, it would indeed be disastrous for both of us. If however, you decide you would still like to wake up that early, please keep it down. Your bottle and formula are in your dresser. Papa will be up at that time. You may ask him to get you some warm water. If you need anything else, I will be available at 9am. Thank you.

Your Loving Mother, 

Janette

... than James is all sorts of greatness. Here is the house before I got all set up. As a quick fix, Austin ran the phone line from the living room all the way to the bedroom. Unfortuantely, we didn't factor in the "cord monster".

He was crying, but it was so hoarse, you couldn't tell it was him. He coughed and you can see the pain on his face.

I called the advice nurse, again. (I had spoken with them in the morning and they had informed me to call them back if he got worse.) They told me to take him into the ER. He was weezing, so it was precautionary. 

Austin had just gotten home from work, only to head on back into work (what a trooper). We sat and waited in the lobby. They called us up and brought us back to another waiting room and we sat and waited and waited and waited and waited there. Austin's mom came to hang out with us for a bit, so that was fun :) However, even after we got our own room, we sat and waited there too.

By the time the doctor came in, it was 8pm (and waaay past the peanut bedtime). By this time, James was crawling all over the place. Such a happy baby. The doctor informed us he has an upper respiratory infection.. and basically, there's nothing we can do about it except to let it pass. 

Bummer.

On the bright side, I did want to get out of the house yesterday... just didn't think I'd spend my time sitting in waiting rooms, lol.