What I'm Thankful For..

I've really enjoyed reading blogs and Facebook throughout November and seeing what everyone has been thankful for.  As I'm straightening out our piece of crap expensive Christmas tree while Brady is napping, I've been thinking of all the things I am thankful for. 

I'm thankful that I get to spend every day with Brady.  He really is the center of my world and we have had so many "little" moments that I will be forever grateful for.  I'm thankful I get to take him to the park on beautiful days and to the library and watch him dance to the music, and to the Y for classes and to the pool just to swim sometimes.  I actually get to be hands on watching him grow up and I love it.  I'm thankful for a husband who goes to work everyday and works hard so I can stay home.  I'm thankful for Drake - he will always be my buddy and has proven every single day what a loyal and tolerant dog he is.  I'm thankful for the days when the house just "runs".  Do you know what I mean?  It's those days where stuff is picked up, laundry is moving, dishes are done, etc.  It's a good feeling.  I'm incredibly thankful for my parents.  Now that I'm grown up with a child of my own, I appreciate even more everything they have done for me.  They have shown me how to work hard, take pride in what I do, appreciate the things I am given, to have faith in God, to be there for your kids even if it means giving everything and then some, and to love and respect everyone.  They have shown me what family means and how much fun even the simplest of little traditions can be.  I'm thankful for my three sisters - my three best friends.  We are LUCKY.  We all bring something different to the table, but we all belong together.  :)  I'm thankful for my in-laws.  They are there for us always - with whatever we need.  Whether it's coming to our house to help with our latest and greatest problem, or letting Drake stay with them - even in their new condo, we have really appreciated all that they have done.  We have had some really fun times together.  I'm thankful for our grandparents and extended family, who love Brady to pieces.  It melts my heart when he gets to see them.  I'm thankful that we are able to live in this economy, have a house that is within our means, two vehicles that are decent and paid for, that Chris has a good job, that we can provide for Brady not only his needs, but some wants too.  I'm thankful for our health  I'm thankful for my church that centers me every single week.  I'm thankful for a friend who I haven't seen in awhile, but has given me great advice and put me in touch with an awesome deal for a new workout program.  I'm thankful for all my friends - a lot of different groups, but I love and need every single one.  They make me laugh and smile and I wish I could see them all more!!  

So as you can see, I have a lot to be thankful for!!  Life is good!!  Not only good, but EXCELLENT!! 

No pictures...

I am unable to upload any more pictures.  It is telling me I've maxed out the space and I really don't want to pay for more space.  I might have to go back and resize all the other pictures to make room.  This stinks!  So don't expect any pictures for awhile!

An update on the pacifier situation - he has done great!  He hasn't had one since we said we were stopping it and I am so proud of him.  He does have his fingers in his mouth more now, but that's ok.  Oddly enough, or not so oddly enough, I have missed the pacifier a few times.  Clearly I was the one enabling the habit.  Especially when he is whining.  Oops.  :) 

No Paci? No Problem!!

We traveled to the Cedar Falls area this past weekend for the start of our holiday family trips.  We realized on the way to the hotel that we only had one paci, and he had chewed it to the point that the tip could have come off.  So we threw it out and decided to quit the paci habit right then and there (before he was old enough to verbalize and whine for it).  Brady has made it through two nights of sleep and one nap without it!  So, unless he finds some hidden around the house, I think we are done with the pacifier!  It still makes me nervous thinking about being somewhere public when he is tired and fussy, because that's when I relied on it, but I guess we have no other choice now.  Yay :)

Here are some pictures from this past weekend:

Eating a snack with his cousins 

Present time!!

 

Lyvie checking out his new trucks

Lining up his new trucks

And they're off!  Boys and their trucks...

 

Chris, Brady & Grandma Hook!

Double Dose

Brady had a double dose of Grandmas this week!  My mom spent the night last weekend and Chris's mom spent the night last night.  He had a blast and got some good grandma time in.....

Our Thursdays have become our busy days.  He started Art Class at the Y yesterday morning and Moving with Music at the Y yesterday afternoon.  It's so fun to see him participate.  He was way more into the music class then the art class. 

His turkey we (I) made.  He did put the glue on though!!  

We had the wrong time for the music class, so we had a half hour to waste.  I thought I'd start showing him how to work out.  :)

We went out for breakfast at Panera this morning and I received a really nice compliment.  I was getting my drink and Brady's water and was explaining everything I was doing to Brady.  Some lady came up to me and said it was really nice for her to hear me talk to him and explain things.  She said she used to do that to her kids and it made her miss them.  They are older now and she said time goes by way too fast so to enjoy every minute.  Last year, I had an old man in Fareway tell me that I was too young to be talking to myself and that my little boy would look at me like I was crazy.  Ahh  - the difference between men and women....

Thanks Mom!!!!

Thanks to my amazing mother who spent the weekend at our house, I was able to paint the extra bedroom (aka nap room for the baby girls I'll be babysitting aka Brady's future big boy room).  It was time to get that painted - 9 years of white flat paint meant that the walls definitely needed freshening up!  The new bedding I bought looks great in there now.  I'm so happy with it!!  I'm buying the curtains this week and so once those are hung, we should be mostly done in there.  Then I'll have to kick Drake out of his room.  That might be challenging for him.  My mom was on Brady duty while I painted and I think he kept her busy!!!  As an added bonus, we made our first trip to The Other Place Saturday night.  I liked the atmosphere a lot and want to go back again.  Only next time I'm ordering onion rings.  It seemed like everyone was ordering them and they looked good!

Thanks mom!  You are always a huge help when I have projects to get done.  Love you!! 

What's Been Going On...

Brady's newest thing is to say "No Way".  I'll be like, 'Brady, do you need a drink of water?'  And he'll respond with 'No Way!'.  'Brady, can you give me a kiss?'  'No Way!'.  It's so funny!!!

It's that time of year when you have to refocus your finances because of the holidays (and Brady's birthday).  I've started to buy presents here and there, but I'm also working on finishing up the extra bedroom.  Oh money.  How I love and hate you.  In the past four/five months, we have put $1k into my car, I went to Denver with my sisters and Chris went to MN for eight days, I had two cavities and our garage door broke.  Yippee skippy.  It's cool - we're all good.  I told Chris, at least we have the money.  When we were first married, we probably would have put it all on our credit cards.  Glad we aren't there.  I just hate to see the money go. 

I'm very proud to say that we have not drank in a month.  I had one actually about 2 1/2 weeks in, but we have decided to be a little healthier and happier.  I really like it, especially after I get over that 5-7:30pm hump.  Chris has lost weight.  I, on the other hand, have gained weight in typical Heidi style.  I guess I replaced beer with food.  I'm currently refocusing my efforts.  :)

Here are some pictures!

Elmooooo!!!!!

Striking a pose...  Not on purpose!

If the old man wants the couch, then he can have it.  :)