Zuppa Di giorno!*

Mmmmmm......it's feeling very Fall around here. The temps are crisp and cool and the leaves are changing colors. The mountains are beautiful with all of the colors changing. Sweaters and cozy blankets to snuggle in. I love feeling cozy. I love Fall. I wish that it would last longer. Especially before the leaves start to fall and we have to clean them all up. And Fall soup. The smell of it cooking and the taste and satisfying fill. Mmmmm....good, hearty soup. The zuppa di giorno*, the soup of the day, today is Zuppa Toscana. Thanks for making it for us Ry.

*By the way, I have no clue if this is the correct spelling or correct Italian.

It's just something we always say.

Dopey, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sneezy, Bashful and whatever the last one is. Oh yeah, Sleepy. How could I forget?

Baby boy is not sleeping too well lately. I have been letting him cry it out and it makes for long hours of being awake and not enough hours of sleep. I can't stand listening to him cry. It breaks my heart in a million pieces! I get tense and tap my toes nervously and pace. I have to distract myself so I have been doing laundry. A lot of laundry at 3:30 in the morning. And I have crazy thoughts that maybe I will paint the ceiling in the front room when I up.

His cries, oh, they are too sad and they last way too long. Two hours for the first two nights and 1 1/2 hours for the past two nights. I feel like a bad mom for doing this, but he's got to learn. He was getting up 3-4 times in the night just out of habit. I can't go back now. Still, I can't say enough how much it breaks my heart that my little smooshable baby is crying for me to nurse and comfort him.

Needless to say, I have been feeling a bit on the grumpy side when morning comes. This morning, Mia was climbing on me and Sam was trying to nurse but was mostly distracted by Mia's acrobatics and I whined to Ryan "I'm grumpy!". Immediately, sweet Mia's face lights up and she says "Your not grumpy! You don't live in the forwest with the seven dwar-izes (dwarfs)!". It made me laugh and lightened up my sour mood. At least for a little bit.

Target misses the bullseye

The incident.

A long time ago, I went to Target for a new lipstick. Of course, you don't go to Target just for a lipstick. Target, bless it's heart, has way too many good deals and cute things to buy. I had to check it out. After all, I have my route I follow around the entire store. I know, I am a dork. Or a super shopper. You choose.

After I found the lovely shade a creamy pinky-brown, I set off to find the deals. I found adorable shoes for Jake (possible Mia?) at the killer "can't resist shoes at 75% off and dang they are cute to boot!!" price, grabbed a few groceries and other forgettable items and it was time to go. When I got to the check out, I couldn't find the lipstick. I thought it fell out of the cart. Oh well. Not concerned even though I actually went to Target to buy lipstick. I thought I would just get it the next time I went because any excuse to go to Target is a good excuse. Right? Right.

I happily went on my way with my newly acquired deals. At home, I empty the bags and the lipstick falls out of the shoes. (See why I remember the shoes now?) I wasn't charged for the lipstick. Never fear. I will take care of it. I tossed the lipstick into my purse to pay for the next time I was there and I never did. And you know what? Every time I used the lipstick, I thought "This is the lipstick that I (accidentally) stole from Target." Tainted though it was, it was a nice shade of pinky-brown that Mia favored when she wanted to wear mommy's lipstick. Ever since the incident, I have made it a point to make sure the bill is correct.
Since then, I have been overcharged twice and undercharged so many times it's ridiculous. Long story for a small point but it's such a pain to drag the kids back into the store to pay for these items. Over the past two days, I have managed to visit Target three times. Not the best idea when funds are stretched tight. From those purchases, the checkers have missed:

1. One Halloween light-up necklace from Dollar Spot that I thought would be cute as a decoration in a wreath. Price: $1 (obviously).
2. One Totally Tools fancy dancy cutter tool thingy. Been eyeing it for a while and thank you Target for putting it on sale 75% off and for me being the super shopper that I am and finding quite possibly the last one in the store. Wahoo! $1.49-ish.
3. And finally, three, yes THREE, 18 gallon storage totes. She only charged me for one when I had four. $12.

That's a lot, right? So here I am, trying to be honest so I don't have to feel guilty using tainted goods and I have to point it out. While I am doing it, the customer service desk clerk almost always gives me the evil eye. That's just over the last two purchases! I can also remember a package of napkins, a baby toy (not the checkers fault since the uh, baby stole it - ahem - remember to check carseat for toys to entertain baby while shopping), mints or something similar, a Father's Day card and a powder compact. Sheesh.

Watch your receipts my friends. We can pretend that we are contributing to the economy but really, it's important that we don't have to have a guilty conscious over that perfect creamy shade of pinky-brown lipstick.

New bloggity blog look!

Thank you Jason

for making a new look for my blog! You didn't have to spend that time

and energy on little ol' me.

I really appreciate it!!

The girl

I always laugh when my friend Dawn refers to her daughter as "the girl". Since Briella has two older brothers, it's been fun to have a little girl to dress up. Sweet Briella turns one today. Dawn said that they had her little party last night and she made this cute cake. Isn't it darling? That's going in my file of birthday cakes to make. Happy Birthday cute girl! I wish that I could be there!


"The girl" comment of course, got me thinking about my girl. She's been fun to have her all to myself while Jake has gone back to school. She's growing up so fast! Annoying little habit my kids have.


She's going to preschool now and loves it. I love watching her walk into preschool with her huge Hello Kitty backpack hanging low on her little body. Bounce, bounce, bouncing away on her little round bottom. I carpool with a friend and it's fun to hear Mia and Lauren chatting away in the backseat. Often, I hear little conversations like this:
Mia: "Wow! That's a fancy "chantel" (show and tell - a favorite saying of mine) you have there."
Lauren: "Thanks! It's my Grwama's baby."
Mia: "What's your baby's name?"
Lauren: "Princess Sleeping Booty Grwama Sharwon Reynolds"
Mia: "Oooooo, that's a fancy name."


Preschool is in the afternoon which has been difficult for her to understand. After Jake has left for school, she dresses, picks out her "chantel" (show and tell), packs herself a snack, brushes out her hair and asks if it is beautiful enough for school. She get's her shoes and backpack on and announces that she is ready to go. All by 8:34am. Preschool doesn't start for another 4 hours. Did you know that it's hard to distract her for that long? And wouldn't you know it, when it's finally time for preschool to start, she doesn't want to go. I guess that's what I get for signing up late.

Like most Mom's, I love her mispronunciations. Quite a few come for bedtime. She says that the sky is closed when it's night time, that it's bed-night and when somebody is asleep they are "at sleep" and awake is "at wake". She's funny like that.

She sure is sensitive little girl and tends to cry a lot over everything. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. It makes me want to pull my hair out. I feel that it doesn't matter how I talk to her, she's going to throw a crying fit if it isn't the way that she wants it to be. Part of me hopes that she will grow out of it and I know that she will, to some degree. The other part of me realizes that this is her personality and just accept the drama.

Mia and her friends have held onto the last bit of summer. Swinging in the big tree, swimming everyday in the backyard, riding her big wheel bike and chasing after butterflies. She prefers to only wear dresses and be barefoot. The change in seasons is going to be a big shock for her. As I listen to her play with her friends, I often hear the girls announce that they are the mommy and you are the baby and my favorite it when Lauren pops up and says that she gets to be the teenager. It's fun to hear her chat with her little friends as they play house and grocery store. It's their favorite game. I am so happy that she has many good little friends to play with.

I am so grateful for the time that I have with her listening to her thoughts and dreams, playing grocery store (yet again!) and finding her favorite little pink phone. I am grateful that she makes me laugh and smile and want to pull my hair out. I am grateful that she is happy to play and learn and grow. I am grateful for the big swing in the walnut tree that she loves. I hope she never outgrows her loving nature, infectious giggles and love for the fancy things of life.

*Outstanding photos curtesy of Jason Mcgrew Photography.

Fat Sam

Sam had his 9 month check-up yesterday. No shots, yeah! Just a finger prick to check his iron. He was totally entertained by the nurse and didn't cry at all when she pricked and squeezed his cute dimply baby hands. Of course, the best part of the visits are to find out how he is growing.

• Height: 29 inches - 82%
• Weight: 20.9 pounds - 59%
• Head circumference: 19 inches - 99%

He's slowed down on the height and the weight, but right on with that big ol' noggin of his.

He's been cracking me up the past few days. He has discovered the joy of giving "zerberts". He especially likes to get my squishy tummy. It's prime for that kindof thing. I might not be able to wear a bikini, but I can make my baby happy.

Mia has deemed Fat Sam her new model for hairstyling. Her speciality is the mohawk or lots and lots of pretty sparkly clips. Bless him for being patient with her.

You know that area on that is your check/neck/ear area? That's my favorite part to kiss on Sam. It begs me to kiss it.

Time for a new camera. Mine has a $260 repair and Ryan's flash doesn't work. This is the best fuzzy picture that I could take. It's very frustrating! I just want a decent, clear picture. I don't have the talent like Jessica or Jason. Just a decent, clear picture is all that I ask. I need suggestions! What kind of camera should I get?

Your Mamas' house

For the last four days I have been painting. Yes, painting again. It's the biggest space in our house and as usual, every surface has to be painted. Oye! I am pretending that I don't have to paint the ceiling. Tra-la-la-la. I can't hear you.

The front room and kitchen has been the hardest for me to decide on color because a) it's the room that everyone sees when they walk into the house b) there was a lot of wallpaper to strip off c) it's the main living area that we use in the house, and d) it's the room that EVERYONE sees when they walk into the house. Painting mess and all.

I have spent countless hours bugging everyone that I know for their opinion of wall colors. "What's this color you have painted? Would you do it again? What combinations did you use?" blah, blah, blah-lah, blah. I am really rather annoying. I really, really don't want to paint again anytime soon and my paint money is just about out. And, I don't want it to look like your run of the mill Mama's house.

So, after hours on the phone with designer extraordinaire sister Teryn, good taste sister-in-law Debbie and friends coming over, we finally decided on a color. Two actually. TWO colors! Scary for me indeed because I have always painted one color for all the walls and I don't have chair rail. Still, I like the colors and hopefully it will all pull together. It is really rather safe since the colors that are going up are Herbivore and Almond. Green and yep, I am guilty of it, cream. A non-color in my book.

As I was painting last night, Ryan came home and liked the almond color. Then he walked in the kitchen and asked what I was doing with the green wall. "This wall and this wall over here will be green.", I replied feeling confidant in my, I mean, everyone else, decision. "Why would you do that?" he scoffed. Uhhh......yeah. I will just pretend that you think it's wonderful and we will go from there.

Still, anything looks better than this lovely powder blue and floral border and plaid wall paper combination.

Right?

9 months!

I can't believe this little guy has been with us for 9 months already. It's going by too quickly. Before I know it, he will be toddling around here causing major havoc. Samalicious, you are still a content little guy. Happy to be quiet and watch the action. You are content with one little toy. You really love the games that Jake and Mia play with you. They like to tickle your feet and bounce your tummy to make you giggle. It's a tiny little baby giggle. You especially think fake sneezes are hysterical. You are giving giggles out morenow and we can't get enough of them.

You roll, and roll, and roll again all over the place. You are starting to find your knees. You either push up on your hands or get your knees under you. Never at the same time. All the better. We aren't in any hurry to have you crawling around. It's that much closer to walking and that means you won't be our squishy little baby anymore.

You have four little teeth. The top two teeth just popped out these past weeks. You look too cute with those little chipmunk teeth poking out. You love to sing and your babble. Sometimes, you will lean over and very deliberately say "Dah!" as to say "Hey, s'up?" then you flash your toothy grin and squinty nose and we can't help but laugh.

You love your reflection in the mirror and give yourself plenty of kisses. You love to play "beep" and "bonkus" with Dad. Those are your special tricks for him. Daddy says you are a Mama's boy. You love to snuggle with Gram and she can almost always get you to sleep.

We love you more and more everyday! Our Sammy boy-boy. I can't imagine our life without you.

Love, Mom

**************************************

Tonight was Mattie's 1st birthday party. We had a good time playing over at Jessica's house. The kids are getting along so well and don't ever want to leave when it's time to go. Thanks to Jessica for the pictures of Sammy boy. Since my camera is out of commission, I am thankful for the few quick shots she got of him. Even if he is all dirty.

Happy Birthday Mattie!

********************************************

My niece Brianne called tonight and announced that is expecting a girl at the end of January! We are very excited! She has had a special name picked out since she was 8 years old. I am not going to post it since she doesn't want it jinxed. She said tonight that if anyone near her named their daughter that, she would have to move far, far away. Brianne is the best little mommy ever. She is so calm and her little guy Davis is the funniest little man. I have many girly projects that I want to get done for your new baby! Congratulations!!

*****************************************

Another niece Kaylin, has started her own blog. Check her out here. Her husband Jason is the one that took those fabulous pictures of Mia. She's such a fan chickadee. I think that you enjoy her blog too.

Phew, that's a big post for me. Have a good night!

Him vs Her

Ryan's choice :

4 wheel drive, duck hunting manliness

vs

my choice

good gas mileage, reliable commuter car
Looks like we need a compromise.

Bend the Rules Sewing

So I finally broke down and treated myself to a new book. A sewing book as you can see. This book has so many cute little projects in it that I am very excited to try! I just need to decide which one to start with. She writes with a fun, casual style that makes you feel like she is talking to you. The beginning of the book has some helpful information about the basics of sewing. I have never taken any sewing classes, so any help in that department is beneficial to my confidence. The crafty blog world is exploding with great ideas and I think it's wonderful that she got a chance to write a book because of her blog. You can read her blog to, angry chicken, and she has a flickr group that you can check out some finished projects.

Now, I am off to decide which project to do. I have a friend that's expecting a baby girl any day now. Oooooo! I have visions of darling little handmade gifts. I hope that I can pull it off!

Things I love today.

• Sharmyn's question got answered on Emily Style's blog. Very cute! Scroll down to September 11th entry.
• These J.Crew headbands. How do you wear headbands with bangs?
• The navy eyeshadow and raspberry lip combo. I am really in need of an update. I think that this is it! Very wearable. How cute with the J. Crew headbands.
• The new J. Crew look book looks. Oh my! I like them all, but especially love looks 3 and 6.
• The smell of freshly bathed Sammy boy. Mmmmmm.....clean baby.

Not loving?

• When thinking of ways to festive for Thanksgiving, this knitted turkey hat is no where near my idea of fun. Scary! If it's up your ally, well you can make it yourself. Instructions here.

Spell with Flickr

Like my name on the sidebar??

You can play too.

Spell with Flickr is fun to do!

"When did we move in?" and fav crafting reads

Yesterday, I spent the majority of the day cleaning out the spare room to make the space, um, usable. We still had boxes in there from when we moved in and many, many more in the basement storage. Still, I was determined so I took my DI box and a garbage bag and set to work. I found a ton of little things. Handy things like extension cords and tools. Loads of books and papers and junk. I filled the DI box up and felt like I accomplished a little something. It's a long ways away before it will be done, but it's getting there. At least we can see the floor now. Whoot, whoot!
In my spare (aka: should be sleeping, cleaning, or taking care of my children) time, I enjoy looking at crafty sites. These women amaze me with their talent. I would love to whip something up like they do in their daily lives. Look at this dress, and this one, and this baby smock. Gesh! Do you think if I keep looking and reading about this crafty stuff, it will sink in and I will suddenly be creative? Here are some of my daily faves.

• Wee Wonderfuls
• All Buttoned Up
• angry chicken
• Mayfly
• House on the Hill Road
• Blue Yonder

2 out of 3

It's so sad, but the Nissan died on Wednesday. It's given us over 8 years of good commuting service. We got the Nissan after I got in a car accident while I was 5 month pregnant with Jacob. I totalled my Honda so they say. More damage than the car was worth. The insurance gave us a good amount of money for it and I went looking for another car. I decided that a Nissan would be good for us and our budding family and found a good one at the local dealership. I still remember sitting in the salesman office, signing papers. I was wearing a long purple tied died dress (an art festival favorite) and watching Jacob's little foot kick, kick, kicking. He was kicking so hard, you could see the shape of his little foot. The Nissan was so good to us but it is done now. $2600 repair or buy another car. Car payments again. Yipppee! We knew this day was coming even though I completely denied it. The car did give us 8 good years of service. It didn't have to be repaired more than twice. I hope that we will be blessed with our next purchase.
Last night, we went to clean the Nissan out so we could get it towed off. I wanted to take a picture of it, because I am cool like that. My camera wasn't functioning right. It would turn on then it wouldn't retract the lens. It was all crazy. I looked up the error code E18 today. Hoorray! It's an expensive fix. So I go through all the simple, do it yourself fixes and none of them work. Check out the instructions, E18 fix. Would you completely take apart every component of your camera??? Such a bummer. Maybe Ryan will let me borrow his.
They say bad things happen in three's. What's the 3rd?? Maybe the 3rd is that my Subaru isn't starting very good. Wahoo! At least then we can stop worrying and just take care of the problems.

Ahhh!!

I don't know how I messed up my blog so bad, but I have some fixin' to do!
Also, does anyone have photoshop that I could use for a minute to make a new banner?? That's what I was trying to do from the web and arrrgghhh.....

First Day of Preschool

So grown up and off to preschool! She's got a new outfit, a new pink "Kitty Hello" backpack and her stuffed kitty Jingles. She's ready for a new adventure and she is excited! Preschoolers are so cute!

After class, they all came out wearing paper visors that they had made. Proud and excited and feeling pretty grown up. That night, Mia whispered to me as she went to bed, "Do I get to preschool tomorrow?". I explained that she would go on Friday. Sometime later, she asked if tomorrow was Grandma day. Looks like she is already trying to sort out the days of the week. Smart little cookie!

"Beeeeeep"

Samalicious is at it again! Learning new "tricks" for Daddy. Newest trick? Beeping his nose of course. Sam thinks it's hilarious! Ryan will put up his finger and Sam starts to giggle and leans forward until his nose touches. "Beeeeep!" Daddy says. Grins and giggles and Mama and Daddy are thoroughly entertained.

Like his pj's? Last purchase before I quit Gap. Mia calls them his elf suit. That just kills Ryan.

My man's love

His strong hands lifted them from their bath where he gently dried them, gave them a little pat and a rub and sent them off to rest last night. He woke early to get them started for the day, dressing them, making sure they were warm and dry shielding them from the rain as he headed out to church. Patiently working with them while they took their time to finish their task, gently prodding them in the right direction. So proud of them as they finished the long task he had set out for them the night before he took their picture to immortalize their achievements. My man's love?

Baby back ribs smoked and grilled to perfection.

Luv me some peaches

Thirty pounds of misshaped,

unloved peaches

made into

crazy

deliciousness.

Yum.

It still makes my heart go pitter-patter.

I was reading this post today about a little man named Sam and how he loves the mail. Immediately, I remembered my passion; I loved to play office.
I had a fun little set up. I remember setting up my little table by my window in my pink stripe wallpapered room. I had Dad's fabulous calculator that would print out and some of his stamps for official business use. I would make sheets of paper crinkly by spraying them lightly with the Amway spray bottle and laying them in the sun to dry. Oh, what a wonderful crinkly sound they would make. I would officially walk around my desk, type numbers as fast as I could and shuffle and stamp, shuffle and stamp. It was all very important ya know.
I remember the squish, squish sound that my green carpet made that I liked, the sunshine streaming in from my window and my closet that I would hide in to take naps. And that crinkling paper. *sigh*
It's funny, but I still love big print out calculators, stamps and that crinkling sound. And cash registers. Love cash registers! I remember seeing one at a garage sale with Teryn many, many years ago and really wanting it. It makes me smile.
What did you love? Yes, I am talking to all of my "lurking not wanna commenter's". Don't worry, I won't bite, but I might make you play office with me.