Your View and Words

I've decided to take on the challenge of 29 pictures in 29 days for the month of February. The challenge can be found here. I'm a day late in getting started, so I'll post days 1 and 2 today.

Feb. 1st: Your View Today

My view today was Sharkbaby and Daddy playing in the lovesac, giving each other "nosies" (Eskimo kisses), and head bonks. I love these boys more than anything in the whole world.

Feb. 2nd: Words

The words "had ten little fingers" come from one of Sharkbaby's favorite books "Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes". We read it together every night and he loves to show me his fingers and toes when we get to that part in the book.

The End is Near

So, tonight Jill and I found the "Zombie Apocalypse Playlist". It consists of the following:
1. Overall theme for the apocalypse
2. What plays when you kill your first zombie
3. What plays when you're getting chased by a horde
4. What plays when you have to kill your loved one
5. What plays when you find a group of survivors
6. What plays when you meet a new love interest
7. What plays when you have to make a final stand
8. What plays when you think you've survived it all
9. What plays when you find a bite mark on yourself
10. Song for the closing credits

My songs went as follows:
1. Jump (Glee cast version)
2. My Apologies (The Hush Sound)
3. I Caught Fire (The Used)
4. Hate on Me (Glee version)
5. Capstick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry (Reliant K)
6. Why Not? (Hilary Duff)
7. Lean on Me (Glee version)
8. We Will Rock You (Queen)
9. Don't Rain on my Parade (Glee version)
10. Be Ok (Ingrid Michaelson)

Awesome. Pure Awesome.

We Made It!!

My Sweet Little Man,
It's your first birthday and I can hardly believe it. What a year this has been. You have changed my life in ways that I can't even begin to describe. This year has simultaneously been the most fun and the hardest year of my life. I hoped, dreamed, and prayed for you, but nothing could have prepared me for what, and who, you really are.
My handsome boy, you have such a little personality. Already you think you are hilariously funny. You know how to say "Mama", but anytime we ask you to say it you very clearly go, "Daddy. Huh huh huh." You think that game is a lot of fun. You also have quite a fascination with faces. You know where to find eyes, noses, teeth, tongues, ears, and hair. However, you're not terribly gentle. You also know fingers and toes.
You still love story time. Once you've had your bath and are all dressed for bed you will crawl over to the rocking chair in your bedroom and just wait to read stories. Bedtime is my favorite time of day with you. I love holding you on my lap in the rocking chair, smelling your sweet little head, and cuddling while we read stories and you drink your milk. I feel like that is "our" time everyday and I miss it on the nights I'm at work.
You are getting so big and strong. You love to walk, but only if you're holding onto something or someone. You have 6 teeth with a 7th on it's way in. For your birthday I made you a bucket with some bean bags so you can put things in and take things out to your heart's content. You also love to be doing whatever Mom and Dad are doing. If we're in the kitchen, you want to be playing in the kitchen. If we're outside, you are one happy kid. If I'm in the bathroom getting ready, you want to be right there with me.
You love to talk nonsense sounds to me. We can carry on conversations like that all day. You give the sweetest little slobbery open-mouthed kisses. I love watching your little hands sign things to me to show me what you need. You can sign food, milk, more, finished, play, water, and shoes. You also know how to give high 5 and bones.
My sweet, sweet baby... I can hardly call you a baby anymore. Everyday you turn into more of a little boy. Everyday you learn and grow so much, and everyday I learn and grow right along with you. I love you for everything you are. I love you for everything you will someday become. I love you for everything you have taught me about myself. I love you all the way up to your toes, to the moon and back. I love you with everything I have inside of me.
So, on your first birthday, I am overflowing with the love and joy you bring to my life. Thank you, handsome boy, for this past year. Here's to many more to come.
I love Monkey!
Love,
Mama

Found this on Pinterest. I'm in love.

Enjoy the Journey

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the idea of happiness. What is it? Where does it come from? Do I create my own or does it come from outside sources? Am I truly happy?

I’ve been reading the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The author takes a whole year to explore the idea of happiness. She decides what exactly makes her happy, seeks out those things, and attempts to experience the maximum amount of happiness she can. What she discovers is that happiness can come easily, but often she has to work for it.

I don’t know that I’m an innately happy person and I, probably too often, rely on outside sources for my happiness. “Happy” does not necessarily come naturally to me, it takes a lot of conscious effort and work on my part. I’ve also come to realize that the things I am often passionate about don’t always lead to a state of happiness. So, I decided to think about what really makes me happy.

I also came to realize that until I am true to who I am as a person, I’ll never achieve that true happiness that I’m searching for. So, I’m taking the example of Ms. Rubin, and I’m going to come up with my own personal happiness commandments.

1. Be Annicka (Ok, so I stole this idea directly from her, but it’s a good one). From now on I will think about whether my words, my actions, my experiences are being true to me being myself. I know this may sound self-serving, but if I’m not true to who I am as a person I will never be able to achieve happiness. I spend a lot of time being so worried about others’ perceptions of me that often I lose who I truly am.

2. Service Breeds Love. This comes down to a simple a statement given from a father to a son: Forget yourself and go to work. This is a hard one for me to remember. When I’m feeling down I always want it to be all about me. I want to throw my little pity party and mope around and have everyone feel bad for me. From now on when I feel down I will make an effort to serve those around me. I think that this attitude will assist me in finding who I am.

3. Keep it Simple. I have a tendency to complicate things, I mean, I am a woman after all. I make grand plans, I have big ideas, I always want what I do to be the biggest, brightest, and best. Sometimes my big plans make me end up in my own way. So, I will be keeping it simple.

4. Find the Humor. I have a tendency to get caught up in the minutia and stress myself out. If the baby is having a bad day, it gets to me. If my kitchen or bathroom is a mess, it gets to me. If traffic is bad and I’m late, it gets to me. And so, I will find the humor. Instead of crying, I will laugh. Instead of complaining, I will find the humor.

5. Smile. There have been many times in my life where I’ve had to live the adage “fake it ‘til you make it.” One of the underlying themes in The Happiness Project is to act how you want to feel and it will become natural. For this reason, I will smile.

6. Lose the Attitude. Sometimes, I flat out have a bad attitude. I am going to strive towards having a good attitude. I have found the gossip, backbiting, and sniping all feed into my bad attitudes. So, I will be checking my attitude at the door. I would also like to invite all of you to remind me of this.

Now, none of this is to say that I’m not happy. I am very happy. I have a wonderful husband who loves me and shows me that very thing in sweet and tender little ways. I have a sweet and gentle baby boy that teaches me something new everyday. I have a career where I get the opportunity to serve people at the most vulnerable times of their lives. I have so much in my life to be grateful for and happy about.

I just want to do all that I can to make sure that I am experiencing happiness and joy as much as I possibly can.

And so, with the beginning of this New Year, I begin on the journey of my own happiness project.

To Happiness!

Eleven

My Dearest Monkey-face,

Happy Christmas Eve! Today is your 11 month birthday. I know I say this every month, but I truly can't believe how much you are growing and changing.

You never cease to amaze me with how smart and funny you are. You can always get a giggle out of Mama, without even trying most of the time. You have been extra silly this month, and are quick to giggle at pretty much anything.

You love to be on the move. If you're not crawling, you're pulling up on the furniture and shakin' your booty. You love to dance. You also love Elmo. You get so excited anytime you see Elmo and can even say his name (Eh-mo). This month you've learned the sign for food and you've made up your own sign for soft. We're not sure where you learned it, but if we say the word soft you pat your hand on your chest. You've also learned how to blow kisses. It's very cute. You also have a mild obsession with Santa. You think it's pretty fun to say "Ho ho ho."

You now have 5 teeth, and I think we're going to see more any day now. You are growing like a weed and wearing mostly 18 month clothes. I can't keep clothes that fit you in circulation long enough for you to wear anything more than a few times.

This month Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for you to learn how to sleep through the night. You picked it up so quickly! Within a week you were going right to bed and down for naps and sleeping through the night for 11 or 12 hours. It's been great for all of us to get more sleep.

You also got to try some new foods this month that you like a whole lot. You love grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, goldfish, yogurt, and cheerios.

Well, my sweet monkey, only one more month until you turn 1. I can't believe we've been on this crazy journey for almost a year. I love you so much and can't wait for all of the new adventures we get to have together.

Hugs and kisses!
Mama

Wrap it up

I have been a terrible blogger lately. I'm going to blame it on being out-of-control busy. Between working full time, going back to school, and being a mommy and a wife I haven't had a whole lot of spare time to speak of. So, in a last-ditch attempt to put off studying for my final next week, here are some things that have been on my mind:
Christmas is nearly upon us. Our house is all decorated, I'm in the middle of sending out cards, and I'm nearly done shopping. The sharkbaby LOVES the tree. He thinks it's about the coolest thing in the whole world. He also loves to say, "Ho ho ho" and "Merry Christmas." He loves listening to me practice the piano for upcoming Christmas concerts. I know he's too little to "get" Christmas this year, but I'm still excited.
Speaking of Sharkleton, he is growing up so fast! I can't believe I've been on this crazy, wild, awesome ride for almost a year. I don't want to discuss it too much because I want to have something to write about in his 11 month letter, but just know that he is turning into quite the little character.
I've been crafting up a storm. In the past week I've sewn probably 6 microwave rice bags (you know, the ones that you heat up). They're super fast and easy. I think I'll keep a bunch on hand to give away as gifts. I've also become hooked on Pinterest and I keep finding ideas for things I want to try. In fact, just today, I found some cute little owl bean bags. I think I'm going to make some for the boy's first birthday. Now if I could just drag myself away long enough to actually try my brilliant ideas.
I'm currently in the process of composing my 2012 goals. There are a lot of things I want to do, see, try, and learn in the coming year. My main goal is going to be getting organized, and I'm going to start by organizing my goals. I think I'll set up one big thing a month that I can check off my list.
There are a few things going on at work right now that I'm not terribly thrilled about. Okay, I'm actually downright angry. In fact, I'm still to angry to blog about it. Stay tuned for more on that.
As this Christmas season is upon us I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my personal relationship with Him whose birth we celebrate at this time of year. I feel that I have come to know my Savior in a way I never have before through the trials that I've faced. I have learned more in the past year about how my Heavenly Father truly cares for me than I have in the whole of my life combined. I am truly blessed with wonderful parents, siblings, extended family, and in-laws. I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world to be married to my best friend, and with him share the joy of parenthood. As this year comes to a close and we all begin the next chapter in our lives I pray that we may keep Christ, not only at the center of this Christmas season, but at the center of our lives year round.
May you all experience the beauty that this life has to offer.
XOXO