Christmas Gifts - Teachers & Grandma's

 

I really appreciate Jacob's teachers.  They are helping to raise my sweet little boy, and I wanted to show them how much I appreciate that during Christmas.  The only problem?  Currently he has 4 consistent teachers he sees within a 2 day period.  There are 3 each day, to take care of the 12 toddlers tearing up the room.    That being said, I need to stick to a budget, and I didnt want to give them each a $10 gift card.  I know they would appreciate it, but it seemed to be not enough.

 

Enter Pinterest...

I think Mike is starting to despise Pinterest.  Now he knows how i feel about Craigslist.  Really, that's what Pinterst is, a girl's version of CL.

 

I found this great idea of making homemade cake/plate stands.  These are melamine plates and bowls, and all you need is a little super glue.  So, off to the holy land (aka Target) in search of cute bowls. 

 

I found several, each one different and didn't think to take a pic of each one before gluing, but if i did the post would be super long.

 

 

 

Plate one

Glued to the base

 All you need to do is put some super glue on the bottom ridge of the bowl and attach to bottom of plate.  Then let it cure for about 8 hours.

On the trip to target, i found little gifts to add:  coffee mugs, candle holder, Ferrio Rocher candies, and some lotion.  I went to the dollar store and got the FUZZIEST softest socks.  I had some hot chocolate at home, and added to packets to each gift.  I also put a votive into each candle holder.

All assembled

 

Close up of tree tray (my fav)

 

 Then, I took some cellophane bags, wrapped around the gift, and secured the top with some fun garland and a sparkly snowflake ornament.

All lined up

Close up of garland and ornament

 Cost and location:
Plates : Average 2.50 (I found some on cleareance)  Target
Bowls: Average 2.00  Target
Mugs:  1.99 Target
Choc:  1.25 Target
Lotion: 1.99 Target
Ornament: .50 Target
Socks:  1.00 Dollar Tree
Garland:  .50 Target
Candle Holder:  .48 Target (Clearance)
Votives:  .50? (I had at home)
Hot Choc: .50?  (again, at home)
Average cost:  $13.21 if you had to buy everything

I thought much better than a gift card!

For my grandmas, I have always struggled with what to give them. THey have everything they could need, and I didnt want to get them another pair of slippers, or other stuff that is a waste of money.

So, I took the plate stand idea from above, and took a Trader Joe's twist to it instead of target.  I got some crackers and cookies.  I did pick up mugs from Target (both coffee drinkers), and from the dollar store I got a kitchen holiday towel and a candle.

Who wouldn't love some TJ's snacks??

 

Grandma's gifts!

Grandma's gift cost:
Plates:  Ave $2.50  Target
Bowls:  Ave 2.00 Target
Mugs:  1.48 (clearance) Target
Snowflake:  .50 Target
Garland:  .50 Target
Candle:  1.00 Dollar Tree
Towel:  1.00 Dollar Tree
Crackers:  3.99 TJ's
Cookies:  3.29 Tj's
Total Cost:  $16.26

Super easy to do, and easy on the budget, without doing the gift card route.  I had fun making them, and wish i would have thought of the idea sooner for other gifts I have given.  You could do theme ones, or I had debated on adding a small shot size bottle of peppermint schnapps to the teachers mugs for an adult hot choc, but didnt make it to the liqour store to get it. 

14 Month Update

To my dearest little boy,

I can't believe that tomorrow you will be 14 months old.  I know I say that every month, but time is flying by. 

You had lots going on this past month.

We decided to get out of the house for a day, and took a trip to Lookout Ridge and the library in Woodbury.  You loved to watch the big kids run around and play.  After going down the slide once, you loved it and would GRIN like crazy.


First trip to the library

VERY serious, no distracting the baby when there are boats to read about...

 

You had to help me with a huge snowfall while dad was gone travelling for work (in Cali, where it was 70...).  We took Selby on a walk, and in this pic we are actually hoofing it down the middle of the road.  I figured no cars, and there was a bit of a trail so it made it easier for me to walk.  You just hung out.

 We saw Santa at Primrose.  You were less then thrilled with the experience... But you did Sant a high five and smiled at him once daddy was holding you again.  Primrose did an awesome job with Santa.  YOu got a number when you went in, and they had breakfast and crafts in the rooms.  So you didnt have to wait in a line containing a toddler.  They called off 5 numbers at a time, and you went back to see Santa.  Also, you took your own photo, so i didnt have to pay for a pic of my son crying.

 A pin win (and stolen idea from a fav blogger)  We bought some glow sticks, shut off lights, and threw them in the bath tub with you.  You thought it was the greatest thing.  We put them in cups, swung them in the air, and chewed on them.

Scarfing down some Cheerios

Poor Selby, she gets SO worn out from you trying to play with her.  (Yes, she's under a blanket, head on pillow, snuggled with her puppy and blanky)  She is by far one of your favorites.  You love to hand her a ball, feed her treats, feed her your food, and chase her.  If we ask you where Selby is, you laugh and get excited.  Also, you have a new word "dog".  We have decided that Ol' Mcdonald is really either a dog breeder or a hoarder, becuase if we sang it your way, all he has is "dog"s. 

ANother new favorite song is the Itsy Bitsy Spider.  YOu laugh like a maniac when the spider gets washed away.  When you want to sing it, you will try to make the spider, and hold your arms up, and try to sing.  It is the CUTEST thing ever. 

Some other things we are so very happy about:  SLEEP!! you are doing so well at sleeping.  A typical bedtime is 7:30, and you are out until anywhere from 4 to 6:30, and we can typically get you back to sleep until 6:30 or 7.

New words:  Dog and Truck
Fav SOngs: Old Mcdonald and Itsy Bitsy Spider
New Signs:  Banana, Please, SPider, and Book
Fav Foods:  Bananas, anything in a Little Green Pouch, cheerios, pasta
Dislike:  veggies in solid form, when we cant read every minute of every day, diaper changes

I'm so excited for the holidays with you and daddy!

Love always and forever,
your momma

Brownie Bites with Choc Chip Dough Frosting

OH. MY. WORD.

These little bites of heaven are to die for. I mean, what can be better then brownies?  Brownies with cookie dough that's what.



I found the recipe on Pinterest (where else??) and Cooking Classy blog.  They are rich though, and i would recommend either making them in mini muffin tins or cutting the cupcake in 1/2.  We like sweets, and neither one of us could eat a whole one. 

The frosting is phenomonal.  It tastes JUST like cookie dough, but no raw eggs.  Not that raw eggs keep me from eating cookie dough, but some people don't agree with me!  Mike and I ended up eating 2 of these total, due to the richness, so I brought them to church and they went over well!

I'm half tempted to just make the frosting and eat that.

Brownie Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Frosting
Yields 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, light-brown sugar and cocoa powder. Pour in melted butter and use a wood spoon to stir until combine. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract. Stir in milk. Add dry ingredients and mix just until combine (batter will be thick).
Divide batter among 12 paper lined muffin cups filling each about 2/3 full (about 1/4 cup batter in each). Bake in preheated oven 16 - 20 minutes (lesser for gooier brownies). Allow to cool in muffin tin several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Cookie Dough Frosting. Store in an airtight container.

Cookie Dough Frosting

Ingredients:
10 Tbsp salted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp molasses
2-3 Tbsp cream or half and half
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, whip together butter and light-brown sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 - 4 minutes. Mix in flour then add powdered sugar, vanilla, molasses and 2 Tbsp cream and blend together until smooth adding an additional 1 Tbsp of cream to thin if desired. Fold in chocolate chips.

Cookies & Sleep

 So, Mike has been travelling more for work.  And as you can see, when he leaves, Jacob figures that means cookies for dinner.  He loves to "help" in the kitchen, so if the door is open, that means free reign for him to pull stuff out to play with.

 

Last night I was getting some veggies out, and obviously someone did not want veggies.  He pulled the bag of cookies out of the freezer, which I didnt think much of, becuase the bag was sealed.

 



As you can see, someone figured out how to open the bag...  To which I thought, fine, it keeps him entertained, and the cookies were frozen, so he won't eat them.  He proved me wrong.  He gnawed on the cookies until pieces broke off.  He would bite off one, then take a bite out of another one.





 



By the time i got him into the high chair, he had death grip on 3 cookies... I think he gets the sweet tooth from his daddy.

 He really hams it up for the camera now.  I know the pic is blurry (i have to stop laughing when taking a pic) but when I get the camera out he makes the face he has above.  WHich is also the second pic of the cookie fiasco too. 

He was having a blast climbing into the suitcase, pulling stuff out, and shutting hte top on himself. 

 He moved into the toddler room at daycare.  It's still a 4:1 ratio, but instead of 2 teachers and 8 kids, it's 3 teachers and 12 kids.  Yikes!  The room also switches to one nap a day, instead of 2.  The first week was a little rough with the new sleep schedule.  I took him on a walk on Saturday, and poor lil guy was so warm he fell asleep on the walk.  By the time we got back, he had toppled over at the waist and was laying with his head on the seat in front of him.

We also reached a new milestone, he slept "through" the night last night.  He went to bed at 7:30, woke up at 10:30, and back to sleep until 5:30.  That is UNHEARD of at our house.  He has never slept that well, or that long.  Maybe this one nap thing isn't so bad! 

 

 

 

The new game at dinner is to eat as much as possible.  When he "finishes" he will sign all done, and then scream while you get the wash cloth ready to clean him up.  As you are taking the tray off of the chair, he will grab as much food as possible, and shove it in his mouth with one hand, and keep grabbing at the tray with the other.  It's a few seconds of tug of war while he shovels in extra food (if you leave the tray, he screams, so it's not that he's still hungry).  Then, he realized all the food he has stashed on his clothes, and his chair, and will eat that while you are putting the tray down.  As you can see above, it was spagetti night, and surprisingly, some food did make it into his mouth.







Day 7 - Influence and Day 8 - Work

Yes, i'm still playing catch up.

We influence our children.  THey see us doing things, and they pick up on it and copy us.  Little girls will talk to their dolly's the way they hear their mothers talk.  Little boys will learn how to make motor noises and push lawnmowers watching their dad's "work".  I say "work" because Mike says he's working, but I know he really enjoys doing the yard work.  So i can't just call it work, because laundry and dishes are work, and i don't seem to derive the same joy from that as I see he does from playing with motors and chainsaws... But I digress...

So, as much as we don't want them to, they also pick up our bad traits.  They will talk in a tone of voice, or repeat a phrase you say, that you probably didnt even realize.  They will witness where your true priorities lie.  Do you say no to doing something with them becuase you are "busy" on the computer?  You tell them to pray, but do they see you pray?

Today's journal was to take my list from Day One and look to see which ones Jacob does.  (one thing i've realized from this activity - would work much better with older kids).  SO, i really don't see any of my 5 changes being portrayed by him yet.  But, the good thing is I can work on these so hopefully I never do see them!

I picked one thing i want to change now, which is being distracted by media (phone/comp/etc). I dont want Jacob to see me look at my phone first thing, or start up the computer on the weekends. I want him to be my first chunk of time being spent on. Becuase I want to influence him that the people around him are more important then what is on a phone or ipad.

Making silly faces at dinner

Looking all snazzy in his vest (btw, this is the LEAST blurry pic i got of him, he didnt want to sit still)

Day 8: work

We need to teach our children to work.  Both Mike and I agree that we don't want to raise Jacob to feel he is entitled to everything, but that he needs to work for it.  We are taught values, and work is not the funnest value to be taught, but is one of the most worthwhile. 

Our society teaches that if you want it, you should have it.  Who cares what the consequences are.  Who cares if you don't deserve it or didn't earn it.  You are entitled to it. 

I don't buy into that.  And if i have any say in it, neither will Jacob.   

Journal questions:
What do you value about work?  I love my job.  it took me awhile to find one i really like, but I love it now, and it was worth everything I did to get here.  I love the security it gives us, I like feeling valued, and that i contribute. 

What do I teach (or plan to) to Jacob about the value of work?  Mike and I agree that college is a given, not a choice.  It's a sacrifice of time & money, but we believe it's a necessity in life.  The reward for going, a job that will provide the life you want.  A way to open doors to experiences and opportunities that would not be available otherwise.  I want to teach Jacob to take pride in his work.  That no matter what job you have, to do your best and give it everything you can.  To take responsibility for your career, and earn it.  Not expect to be given stuff. 

What are simple things I can do to incorporate an attitude of gratitude around work?  Make it fun.  Work isn't always fun, but you do have a choice in your attitude.  We plan on having chores, and Jacob will help around the house, ie picking up his toys, once he's at the age of being able to.  I have a feeling that he will enjoy "working" with his dad out in the yard.

Day 5 - Record & Day 6 - Grace

So, to play catch up, I'm going to post 2 days of intentional parenting!

Day 5 is recording the moments found in those 10 minutes of intentional time set apart each day.

I'm supposed to ask Jacob what his favorite moments were during that time, but I'm guessing he would just sign all done to me, or screech and run away, so I am going to guess as to what he would say (based off of what he wanted to do).

1. reading Little blue truck, MULTIPLE times
2.  Pushing him around on his tractor or in his dump truck.
3.  Reading Little blue truck leads the way.  multiple times
4.  Tearing out the bowls and lids from the tupperware cupboard
5.  Reading Doggies.  Multiple times.
6.  Playing airplane

Activity for day 5 was to eat dinner as a family (which we do 95% of the time), and let the child pick out the meal.  If that was the case, we would eat black beans, puffs, a pouch of baby food and bananas.  So, he ate that, and i made some other stuff for Mike and i to eat as well...

Day 6: Grace

I love the post on Grace.  It is so easy to get wrapped into the trap of believing you are doing it all wrong.  That you are failing.  I had a friend email me last week in response to my blog, and said something along the lines of wishing she could do stuff that i do as a mother.  It blew me away. 

I am always comparing myself to other mothers, feeling like I am falling short compared to them (this friend being one).  And it's so easy to do.  It's easy to look at someone else, and the pics they have posted on fb, or the blog they have, or the pinterst posts, and think, "they know what they are doing.  They have it all together".  You think that they have discovered "the secret" and somehow, they are thriving in this new life.  it's effortless to them.

And then you look at yourself.  Your house is a mess.  Laundry is EVERYWHERE.  Dirty hair in a ponytail.  Dirty clothes on.  The baby is crying.  Or won't sleep through the night.  Work is just enough to get by.  And you feel like throwing in the towel.  I often wonder, how do they do it?  What am I missing?  WHy doesn't it seem this hard for them?

But, I'm not that mother.  And although I can relate, I don't know what all her struggles are.  What shortcuts she takes to get thru the day.  What areas are on the back burner to shift for the more important ones.  We all need to give ourselves grace.

So, what are 5 things i can do on a hard day to change the tone of the day:
1.  Go to caribou :)
2.  Call a friend
3.  Take a hot bubble bath and eat dark chocolate
4.  Pray.  Often.
5.  Snuggle up with Jacob and smell his soft downy hair

THe other journaling topic, what time of day seems most challenging for Jacob?  What could I do to help him?

Between 6 and 7:15 are the hardest part of the day for him. He just wants to snuggle or be read to after getting home, while dinner is waiting to be made.  And if he's sleepy, bath time can become very challenging.  To help him out, we've let him watch videos (of either jd tractors or chuck & friends) or I will hold him when I'm doing dinner stuff that is not dangerous around him.  From after dinner to bath time, both Mike and I play on the floor with him, which also helps.

Day 4 - Listen

So, i have been slacking on the blogging aspect of the intentional parenting series, but i have been doing the "homework" at home!  who knew that there are limited hours in a day, and surprisingly, you need to sleep and go to work....


The discussion was on how as parents, we tend to ignore some of the times our children ask for our attention, because we are too busy.

Too busy making dinner.
too busy checking emails
too busy working
too busy talking ourselves
too busy cleaning
too busy being distracted

This teaches kids that we don't value them.  That whatever we are doing is more important then them.  I know at times, you are too busy to stop and listen, but most the time, would the 2 seconds it takes really mess up what you are doing?

Think about how it feels when someone ignores you.  Hurtful, like you don't matter, that you are not as important, that you are not worthy.

I don't want Jacob to think these things about himself.  I don't want to treat him this way.

Journaling:
1.How much time do you spend on media each day? 
More than i need to. it's so easy with a smart phone and ipad to just look "quick".  then i get distracted, or in a time suck of fb and pinterest. 

2.Do you take time in your day for prayer?  Mothers need to set inentional time to recharge our own batteries, if we are empty we have nothing to give.
I'm ashamed to admit it's not consistent.  I will pray when something is weighing on my heart, when i want to lift a loved one up, or when i need help.  I was doing well that when i put jacob to bed, i prayed.  But, to be intentional, i need to set up a time of day and do it.  I used to journal my prayers, and that really helped me to focus, and that is my plan to start doign again.

3.How can you set aside time for yourself each day? 
At night after Jacob is in bed.  I like to read before bed, but lately have been so exhausted that i just go to bed.  I should go 10 min earlier, and just take that time to relax and just be alone.

13 month update

Dear Jacob,

You are now 13 months old.  I'm still amazed that you have only been here for 13 short months of my life.  Your daddy and I think you are the best thing since sliced bread (except for when it's 3 am and you're screaming).

We had a busy month, with Halloween, playdates, cookie making, and regular day to day happenings.   You were absolutely the cutest lion for Halloween. 

You voted (or ran away when I sat down, so made it hard to concentrate on the voting)

 

You started signing new words, please and more.  But we really have to beg you to do it.  Basically, we held your banana's hostage until you signed more.  First you would scream at us, with your face all scrunched up, and it was all we could to not laugh, but finally we won a battle, and you signed to us.  If you get too frustrated, you will just eat what's on your tray rather than sign to us for the fruit.  You are REALLY stubborn at times.

 

Most of the pics of you are a blur.

You refuse to sit still, are ALWAYS on the move,

love to play "Gonna Get You"

There is a nuk in your mouth in this pic, so I'm guessing daddy caved in to you.  I only let you have one at nap...

 

We went on a LONG walk one afternoon, yes those are socks on his hands... you were adamant about walking by yourself, even thou you kept falling down because of sticks and bumpy terrain

 You have figured out how to get onto your tractor all by yourself.  You still dont know how to move it, but you try.  You also are able to climb up on daddy's tractor all by yourself....

Reading is still your favorite way to spend your time.  Fav books include Little Blue Truck, LBT Leads the Way, Truck book, Noisy Trucks, Go Dog Go, In My Nest (which is in pic, and you try to bite the bear) and any lift the flap books

 

Random Facts:

Weight: 23 lbs

Percentage: i dont remember exact height, but you are in the 40% for height and weight

Diapers: still some size 3, but moving into 4's

Fav foods:  bananas, peaches, really any fruit.  black beans, green beans, anythign we put into a pouch, cheese, eggs, pancakes

Unfav foods:  brocolli, most proteins, cherries

Words:  mama, dada, hi

signs: all done, please, food, more

doc visits/illness:  flu, ear check up, ear infection

Teeth:  8!!

 

All my love,

Momma



 



 

Day 3 - See

Sorry, i got distracted by my family over the weekend, and really didnt make time to post, so will be for day 3, which i did on Saturday.

Today's task was to document my day.  Not cleaning first, just our day to day stuff.  Just an fyi, these pics were all with the phone camera, so not real high quality, but you get the point!



Riding the indoor JD before nap

Celebrating birthdays with my Amma Mamas

Some of the birthday kids, Jacob rying to make a break for it

So sleepy after playdate

Running with the tractor

Riding down the driveway

Jacob's fav time of day, reading time

Journaling questions:

1.  Was it easy to devote intentional time to your child today?
         Yes, it's been easier if I have been intentional about it.  Plus, with meeting the playdate, we had lots of time together, and got a new book to read as a gift. It was a Saturday, and my turn to get up early with Jacob, so we had lots of time together.

2.  What things were distracting?
         Lots!!  Messy house, going out to dinner for Mike's bday, the pull of wanting to work on Christmas projects, laundry, must i go on??

3.  Is there a slot in your schedule to make the 10 min chunks of time a priority?  WHere? 
        Yes.  Really easy on the weekends, but on weekdays, I am going to try to do at 5:30ish.  Basically, when we get home, and after i have popped dinner in, and have at least 20 min before i need to mess with dinner again.

Day 4 will be today.I didn't do on Sunday, I was too distracted with spending time with the family, and never got on the comp to read the day first. 

For more info on Intentional parenting, go to Finding Joy.  Find Day 2: Heart here and Day 1: Awake here.

Day 2: Heart

It's day 2 of intentional parenting (i'm also impressed with myself that I'm blogging two days in a row...), but anyways, if you missed day 1, click here. 

To recap, I had to write 5 things I liked and disliked how I mothered, and spend 10 uninterrupted minutes just playing with Jacob.  The time was great.  If I'm intentional about putting everything down, it doesn't even factor in.  We sat on the floor and played with putting toys in and out of a bag.  Then he would run away shrieking and come running back to me.  Such simple things, but Jacob was having a blast.

Today, is Heart.  It's about how mothers cut themselves short on what they do.  The task:  write a letter of encouragement to yourself in 10 minutes.  I'm going to set a timer, and just write, so if it seems like it rambles to you, this is my heart coming thru, with my brain trying to keep up!

Dear Nikki,

I know at times you feel overwhelmed with everything going on.  That everything is spinning by so fast, and nothing is getting done.  You feel guilty for the time you are away from Jacob at work, and feel guilty for not always being 100% there when you are with him.  It seems like you clean constantly, with nothing ever getting done.  That you are behind in 10,012 ways and you will never measure up to the kind of mother you "should" be.  You feel like it's your fault with the way Jacob sleeps, and when stuff doesn't go as planned. 

Don't.

You are doing the absolute best you can.  THere is adjustment and timing, and all Jacob cares about is your love.  YOU are his mommy.  You are his world.  He doesnt care if the dishes aren't done, or if you don't make some craft off of pinterest that is the best thing since sliced bread.

The love you have for that little boy is all consuming and overwhelming in it's entirety. It's hard to put someone else first when culture and media scream that it should be all about me and what I want.  But you are succeeding at ignoring that pull, and knowing that it's not all about you.  It's about your family.  It's about Mike & Jacob, and Selby. It's what is best for us as a whole. 

It's easy to get lost in the day to day routine and let details bog you down.  Everything gets done, maybe not as soon as you would like, but is there a deadline on laundry?  It will still be there, and there are still clean clothes in the closets. 

Don't make choices that society thinks you need to.  Look to the bible and decide what the priorities should be.  Continue to make the choices that you have been, the ones that are with your family in mind and on your heart.  Remember that one of the most important parts of your day is to spend time snuggling and loving Jacob.  He won't be this small forever.  Continue to make him feel like he is your everything, because you and Mike are his. 

Show your love for him, teach him how to let go and laugh.  He sees you being stressed, show him how you are when you are relaxed and laughing with him.  Accept grace. 

Love,
me


*See Rachel's post at Finding Joy here.*

Intentional Parenting - Day One

One of the bloggers I absoluetely love reading is FindingJoy.  She is a christian mother, with 6 kids, a MN mom.  She writes these "Dear Mom" letters, and i swear, she is talking direcly to me.  The other day, she posted on feeling discouraged that really hit home to me. 

I have been wrestling with this.  I feel discouraged in some of my choices and my actions.  I feel like I don't measure up, that there is never enough time, that I am always behind.  I feel like I am not an active participant in Jacob's life at times.  That it's all just flying by as I sit there trying to figure out what is going on.

When i look at my day, yes, I spend time with Mike and Jacob, but it's not always quality time.  Wake up, get ready (with either Mike or I watching Jacob), head to work, come home, depending on what's for dinner, i may have time to play with Jacob, otherwise making dinner.  Eating, which takes about 1/2 an hour since Jacob hams it up at dinner.  After dinner, it's about half an hour before bath.  So we play on the floor with Jacob, but I'm not always actively involved.  Sometimes I'm scrolling thu my phone, looking up recipes online, just distracted in general by what I need to do.  Mike does bath with Jacob, during which time i clean up dinner, get stuff ready for the next day, pull out his clothes, make sure bedtime stuff is ready.  Then we rock and nurse, and Jacob goes to sleep about 7:30. 

After he's down, which is typically close to 8 by the time i get back downstairs, I'm thinking about laundry, the messy house, work, etc.  Some nights we watch a tv show together, other nights I'm too busy doing things that seem essential.

I want to be intentional.  I want to be active.  I want to feel involved and not just like I'm preparing for the next day.  I have felt like I'm always getting ready, but never enjoying the time i have.  With the holidays coming up, I know it's just goign to get more busy and harder to be active unless I am intentional about it. 

Luckily for me, Rachel at FindingJoy has several posts on being an intentional parent.   Her writing inspires me, and makes me remember that i need to take the time to value what I do.  I don't have to be a perfect mother, but i am the best mother for Jacob.  He just wants his mommy, not 10,001 books, or toys that do all kinds of things.  He wants me, my time, my love.  And that is worth so much more than a clean house or a gourmet meal.

So, Day One, is Awake.  I am going to post my progress each day and the new theme of the day.  I want to be accountable for this, becuase it's important.  If you want to join, go to her site, and start with day one.  Let me know if you are doing it too!    There is a journal with each day, that I will also list a condensed version of on here.

Day one: Start Thinking.  5 and 5
What are 5 things you love about how you mother:

1. Making different voices when reading to Jacob, he loves it
2. Rocking, nursing, and singing at bedtime.  This is our special time just the two of us, and I love it.
3. Making it a priority to put Jacob and his needs first, whether it's a popular decision with others or not
4. Our snuggle time in the morning when we wake up, but before i have to get up to get ready
5. Choosing a daycare I love - they also help raise my son, and since he spends 8.5 hours a day there, I want to know he loves it too

What are 5 things you want to change:

1. Being more patient at night when he wakes up a lot
2. Not worrying/being distracted about tomorrow
3. Being "there" with him, not distracted by phone/comp/etc
4. Not feeling guilty about taking time for myself
5. Starting more traditions as a family

Tonight's activity is to set a timer and spend 10 uninterrupted minutes with Jacob and whatever he wants to do.  This is supposed to happen on a daily basis going forward.

I really did have to think on this.  Why is it so much easier to come up with the changes then it is the things you do well?  When I wrote down #2 on the change list, I thought I have been struggling with this for years.  I have a bible verse written down, that i've had forever.  It's posted on my computer at work:
     Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble  
    on its own.       ~Matthew 6:34

I'm excited to do this, to be intentional.  To share the journey of it with you.  To know that I don't have to be perfect, just be awake and aware.

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

Now, I know this is one of the most basic seeming meals, but for all the different cooking and baking i have done, I usually open a can of tomato soup and take some sliced white bread along with a piece of sliced american "cheese".

Which is good, but by no means does it rival real tomato soup or the delicious grilled cheese sandwiches you can get at restaurants.

so, I found some recipes on Pinterest and Voila! delicious grown up grilled cheese and tomato soup, that was surprisingly easy.

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese

Fresh spinach-about 3C

Canned artichoke hearts-about 3 hearts

chopped for about 1/2 C

1T olive oil

garlic salt and pepper

2T sour cream

4 slices cheese-your choice

(Monterrey jack, provolone, cheddar)

4 slices of good bread

butter/margarine

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.

Saute the spinach until wilted. Season well

with garlic salt and pepper. Stir in the chopped

artichoke hearts and heat through. Add a dollop

of sour cream and blend well.

Remove this mixture to a small bowl.

Rinse and dry the skillet and return to the heat.

Buter one side of the bread. Add 2 slices of bread

to the hot skillet, buttered side down.

Top each with a slice of cheese, the spinach

artichoke mixture, the remaining slice of cheese

and the remaining slice of bread,

buttered side up. Grill until golden brown,

Flip and grill the other side until toasted

and the cheese is melted
.

Tomato Basil Soup

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 - 14 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes

1 - 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes

2 cups of stock (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp of sea salt

1 tsp of sugar

1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup of heavy cream

Flour/cornstarch

3 tablespoons of fresh basil, julienned

parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute - being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the crushed tomatoes. Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up. Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well. Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar. Add flour and additional cream if you want to thicken the soup.   Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 10 minutes.

 

Mike doesn't like anything tomato, so I made him some Chicken Gnocchi Soup.  When i was making dinner, he comes into the kitchen and asks "you made yourself a seperate soup?" 

 

:) My response, "No, I wanted tomato soup, and i know you dont' like that, so i made YOU a seperate soup"....   

One year!! Update

Dear Jacob,

I am amazed that you are already a year old!!  You have gotten so big, and I think this is my favorite age with you yet!  You are walking, although you think you can run, you babble more than ever, you can somewhat communicate with us, and seem to understand more and more each day.

Babyzilla terrorizing the parking ramp

 Here are 12 things you are doing:

1.  As mentioned, you are walking all over the house.  You think you can run, but you can't.  I love your determination though, because you keep trying.  You carry around books, tractors, your blankie, and your sippy (not all at the same time though...)

You still have crazy hair like the day you were born

2.  You can understand us more.  One of the new favorite games is "Gonna get you" and you squeal and attempt to run.  or you chase us, giggling the entire way.  If I ask you to throw Selby the ball, or hand me something, you respond to the direction. 

3. You absolutely love to read. We are hoping you pick some new favorite books soon, because the ones we read over, and over, and over are getting old. THe favorite books are moo baa, go dog go, little blue truck, and the truck book. We have moved two sesame street books out to the car for you to look at there. Really, it's because we are so sick of reading them.

Reading Moo Baa La la la

4. You loved going to the book store. We went to pick out some birthday books, and you would find the books you already have and get so excited. You really didnt care about the new ones, but you found a tractor book that rolls and you love that one.

5. Speaking is coming along, as well as signing. You have 3 words, mama, dada, and hi. You say "Da" a lot for something, but we are still tyring to figure out what you are saying. You can sign All Done (really well!), food, and more. You love to blow kisses and wave byebye

First trip to Barnes & Noble

6. You are a flirt. Especially with the girls at daycare. I've seen you try holding their hands at breakfast, and you and Aubrey love to blow each other kisses.

7.  Still not a fan of crowds (or cake).  We had your birthday party, and you would get overwhelmed with all the attention.  Daddy had to take you outside to wind down.  You wanted nothing to do with your cake, even though Jen and I spent A LOT of time on it. 

Getting brave exploring on our walk

 8.  You are a boy's boy.  You love all things truck and tractors, and have started to make your own tractor noises.  It makes me laugh, and you are so serious about them.  I hear you and dad during bath time making boat noises too. 

9.  Another favorite game is to steal your blankie and cuddle with it.  You laugh like a maniac and steal it back from us and will cuddle with it.  The blankie goes everywhere with you, and when you sleep, you snuggle right into it.  Speaking of snuggles, you will seek us out to snuggle now. It is one of my favorite things about you. Such a cuddler when you want to be! If you are sleepy, you will lay down on the floor, with your behind in the air and snuggle with your blankie, selby's bed, my lap, whatever is nearby.

Action shot!

10.  You had your first surgery this month.  The recovery was quick, and I'm glad we did it.  No ear infections for over a month now!! That's impressive for you.  And you sleep more soundly, not tossing and turning a ton.  Still up alot, but that's a whole nother issue...

11.  We are in the process of weaning.  You get two sippy's at daycare and one bottle. Next week, the bottles will be all done with!!  Daycare is already talking about moving you up to the next room at the end of November!

12.  Dinner time is one of the funnest times with you.  You are very vocal about what you like, and will "num num" thru most the meal if it's one of your favorites.  The favorites are: cottage cheese, shredded cheese, watermelon, and bananas.  You still like black beans, but will take the cottage cheese over them.  Selby also loves dinner time because you are so nice and share with her.  You think you are being sneaky, and will act like you are going to eat, then you look at us, lean over, and drop the food for the dog.  Oh baby.

I can't believe my lil baby is already a year old. SO BIG!  I'm torn between wanting you to stay my littlle baby, and so excited to see the little boy you are becoming.

All my love,
Momma