Saturday, July 16, 2011

Drinkin' it in

Your little body cradled in my arms reminds me that you're still my baby.  The soft light coming from the stairwell syrups your chubby legs and Fred Flintstone feet and shadows every dimple in your elbow and hand.  Your slow deep sucks slow down even more then come in spurts as you begin to drift to sleep.  One little finger rubs your eyes as you try to rub away the sleepies, but eventually you cave.  Your little mouth falls open, dribbling milk onto your cheek and your whole body softens.  I move you to my chest and feel your sweet little body mold to my chest and your tummy inhale and exhale.  I want to drink this moment in.  This is what motherhood is about.  This love that is richer than all others.  I love you my sweet boy.  For now and always.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

1 Year Ago....

 July 11, 2010

The table was set with a beautiful display of food, flowers, and candles.

There were gifts to open.  And lots of them!
There was advice to the soon-to-be parents.

But best of all there was love, laughter, and warmth.  Friends and family that were ready to meet Caleb and shower him with love. 






Chris trying out the carrier with Rayaan  :)




July 11, 2011

And a year later...

I am feeding breakfast to my little guy.


And watching him bang out some rhythms in between bites.


 And watching him feed himself...

We are going to the park.  Caleb thought it was hilarious that Sadie was riding in the car too.



And crawling in Danielle's lap for a few bites of her Italian ice.
 And wiping a few tears away when the Italian ice eating was done.

Life sure has changed in a year's time!  I went to bed a year ago,  excited about putting away all Caleb's new things and thinking that he would soon be in those diapers, in that pack and play, in that jumperoo, sucking on those pacifiers.  A year later, I laid down with my sweet babe and just as I was about to nurse him, he told me "bye!" and was obviously ready for bed.  I stared at that sweet sleeping face after he nursed and drifted off to sleep and thought about just how incredibly lucky I am! 


Friday, July 8, 2011

5 Years Ago

Five years ago today I was about to walk down the aisle to become Mrs. McDonald.  My hair and make-up were finished, I think I was probably trying to make my way into my dress about this time actually.  I was only a little nervous but mostly excited.  I had been waiting for this day for years.  Chris and I started dating when I was 15 and he was 16.  He's my soul mate.  He absolutely completes me and I think we both make each other better people.

Here's to you babe.  I hope the next five years are just as wonderful as the first five were.  I love you, for now and always.
 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The 4th, New Pool, and a Garden of Weeds...

This will be a post of mostly pictures due to dinner in the oven and a stack of coupons waiting to be clipped!  When I started couponing, I was using the binder method.  But clipping them all became overwhelming and I switched to keeping the whole newspaper inserts, writing the dates on the front, and just clipping the ones I needed before going to the store.  Now that I have more time I am clipping and using the binder method again.  I'm playing catch-up so it's taking a while to get it all together.  I just read this book:

And I wish I'd bought it in January!  You can order your own at KrazyCouponLady.com .  If you're just getting started, you won't regret buying it.  I think I would've snagged better deals if I'd read it from the beginning.

We had a nice July 4th celebration a day early.  Aunts, uncles, and cousins came to visit.  Babies were passed around.  It's nice to be surrounded with those you love.

We bought a cute baby pool with a whale that squirts water.  Caleb loves the pool, but doesn't care for the sprinkler on it.  Here are some too cute for words pictures of my little water baby.


 Just woke up from a nap...still warming up.

Mmmm this tastes good!

  Warmed up and standing up!  Chris had to hold onto him to keep him from crawling out!


 My favorite from the day...Those big eyes.  And cute little ears...he fills my cup.  Yep, to the top. 

How do you know when a water baby has had enough?  He lets you know!  Don't you worry!

Hope you had fun on the 4th too!



We started a garden this year.  We had great intentions.  We were going to have so many vegetables that we'd have to can them, bake bread, give to neighbors!  Ha!  Well, we have had veggies, some grew better than others.  I did make zucchini bread!  But I'm not sure we can brag yet this year.  Our company had a few jokes about our garden of crab grass.  Hiding in this garden of weeds...were some BIG vegetables.  They were hidden good!  Check them out!



I started cutting a squash and noticed it was hollow in the center.  I was a little worried that a friendly worm may come crawling out of it's new tasty home.  Thankfully it didn't!  I now understand how squash and pumpkin are in the same family!  The seeds were so big they looked like pumpkin seeds!  So I did what anyone would do!  I carved a squash-o-latern!


I am ending this post with a few Cherrios eating pictures, because I don't think you can get much cuter than that!