7 Random Facts

Beth tagged me...so here are 7 random facts in the life of me!

1. I love coffee shops and book stores. I used to work at a coffee shop when I was in college, and I loved it. One of my favorites is Rembrants downtown. But, I don't like regular coffee. I like the fancy drinks....lattes and mochas. I would rather go on a date for coffee and dessert than go out to eat dinner.

2. I do not watch much television, and the movie selection that I have seen is quite limited. The only show I faithfully watch is The Office on Thursdays. We only have basic cable, and I am not sure we will extend our cable package again. We don't miss it at all.

3. I am stubborn enough, that I actually consider it perseverance. If I think I can't accomplish something or if someone else thinks I can't do something, it just makes me try even harder. Because of this, I taught inner city school for 3 years, got my masters degree, and have so far nursed Jackson for 8 months (they are all equally difficult tasks).

4. I love when my house is clean and organized. I thought this task would be easier when I wasn't working full time. Ha! When everything is clean, I want to leave and go somewhere so nothing gets messed up.

5. Blake and I met each other when we were 13, in middle school. He was very outgoing and I was extremely shy. We started dating seriously when we were 20. In our premarital counseling, we scored polar opposite scores on the personality profile. Opposites do attract.

6. I enjoy Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. I always get up early and go to the mall, even if I have all of my gifts purchased. I usually wait and wrap presents on the 24th. We go to a Candle Light Christmas Eve service at my parents' church. My parents host a party afterwards. Then we go to Blake's parents and open up one Christmas gift, pajamas. Blake's dad reads the Christmas story, and we pray. I can't wait to introduce all of the traditions to my son.

7. I love my baby boy, and I am thankful that God picked me to be his mommy. He has changed my life, and I never knew I could love someone who is so little, so much.

I tag Christy, Amy, and Blake!

Some Pig

This morning, I stumbled out of the car. I unclicked the car seat. I walked towards the building where I work with Jackson. I walked in front of my car. I thought I saw a large dog. I attempted to detour. It turned to me and SNORTED! There was a pig on the loose this morning! This was not something I anticipated a greeting from this morning. Strangely enough, the pig evidently lives near the church, chained to a tree. I guess ya never know what the day is going to bring! I have giggled like a school girl all day, thanks to my morning encounter with livestock! Oink Oink!

Fall Festival at Church

Jackson dressed up in a Halloween costume for the very first time last night for the fall festival at our church. We decided to let him be a "Jack" o' lantern. I snapped just a few pics, and then my camera started acting a bit crazy. Darla let me borrow her camera when she left, and I was able to get some more pics. We had a great time. All the babies and kiddos at church looked so cute in their costumes!

Roots and Wings

Our lovely baby boy turned 8 months old today. Alisha and I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown. It is amazing to me the exponential growth Jackson has experienced from 0-8 months. Just yesterday Jackson began to make his first crawl forward. I cannot believe that my little boy who has been solely reliant on Alisha and me for all forms of transportation is now to the point of moving around on his own. Sometimes I wish that we could just live in this time for the rest of our lives. But the words of my mother speak to me telling me that it would be selfish to wish he stayed in this baby state for the rest of his life. "A parent has to give their child two things," she has always said, "roots and wings." Hopefully, with the Lord's help, Alisha and I can give Jackson roots that reach far and deep, even in these early times, so that when these small crawls transform in long flights, both he and we will be prepared.

Yours,
Blake

Making the Grade

When I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I taught elementary school for 6 years, and am now working hard at my new job...mommy. While I was teaching, I met so many great people and formed many great friendships. When you spend 40 or more hours per week with cohorts in the same place and share in similar, yet quirky experiences, you are bound to make some great memories. Right, Amy? (Think tattle box and Ebony). My friend Robin and I taught together for 3 years at my first job, and this past year she moved to the school that I am currently taking a leave of absence from. We have kept in touch, and made some memories at our favorite meeting spot, Starbucks. Robin is one of those God sent friendships. She is absolutely precious and a strong woman of faith. She is in the process of adopting a sweet baby boy right now, and we can't wait to meet him. We have seen pics of this little guy, and he is beautiful. I know she is going to be the best mommy to him. She has been really busy with all of her adoption paperwork lately, and I offered to help her out with her class report cards Thursday night. She felt she was going to have to pull an "allnighter" otherwise. My job was to average her grades. The teacher in me felt so empowered calculating numbers with my ink pen for that final average! She showed up around 7:00 with pizza in hand, as well as a pink Hello Kitty calculator for me to compute with. She is a woman after my own heart! I averaged the grades, and we talked and laughed and had as much fun you can have averaging grades. Our night was complete when Blake arrived home from work around 10 with 2 pumpkin spice lattes in hand.

Bye Bye Baby Weight!!!

I did it!! And I am proud of myself. Before I got pregnant, I walked 3 or 4 miles most days, and Blake and I worked out at the the YMCA a couple of nights per week. But during my pregnancy, I was unable to exercise, and of course gained a normal amount of "baby weight." At first, the pounds were shedding quickly, but then, I hit a plateau, and became a bit frustrated. I was trying to eat healthy, but was having to make sure I was eating enough calories since I was nursing Jackson. So, I joined Weight Watchers at the end of the summer. They have a special program for nursing moms and explained to me that I really shouldn't lose more than 1 or 2 pounds per week if I were eating enough for Jackson and me. So, I slowly changed my diet and started exercising again, 4-5 times per week. Today, I went to weigh in, and I have lost 15.4 pounds. I weigh exactly the same as I did when I got pregnant. I am going to keep going...I still have more to lose, but I have met my first goal. I am really enjoying eating healthy, and walking is kind of addictive. I try to go a little further everyday in a shorter amount of time...it's kind of like a little competition with myself. Bye bye baby weight! See ya next time.

DaDa

Last week, while Blake was off for Fall Break, Jackson perfected "dada." He said it over and over again. We were not too sure that he had made the connection as to who dada was, but today, he proved us wrong. Jackson woke up a little after 4, and after I fed him, I layed him down in our bed since Blake's alarm goes off at 5. I knew Blake wouldn't mind a little morning attention from Jackson, since normally he doesn't see him until 5 or 6 at night. Blake was snoozing, and Jackson started touching Blake's face, rubbing his eyes, and pulling his hair. Blake still had his eyes closed, and Jackson continued to attempt to get a little attention from dada. Then he started gently patting his hand on Blake's face, and said dada....dada. Blake's eyes opened wide, he had a huge grin on his face. So sweet. I love my boys!