Thursday, October 21, 2010

Savorin' the Squash, Sitting and Shopping!

Liam had his first real solid food (not including rice cereal or oatmeal), Squash. At first he didn't like it so much, but then after every bite he would say "hmm" like he was contemplating liking it. He kept opening his mouth for the spoon, so it was a definite success. He wants to hold everything himself, so I think it's time he gets a high chair. I just can't decide if I want a full size one or space saver. Anyway, here are the pictures and a video. There are also a few pictures from Liam sitting and shopping from the past couple of days.
All clean and ready to eat

Messy lil boy

Fawna is always close by







Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Halloween Mantel/Inspiration

I know it is a little late, but I am posting my Halloween mantel decorations. It's not much, but it makes me happy.


Something I found on one of the blogs I follow (I would source it, but they weren't even sure) and it has really inspired me. I don't post too much detail about a lot of my hardships and I might eventually, but this really made me wake up and realize what blessings I do have.


In case you can't see the smaller font:

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change you are among the top 8% of the wordl’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture, or the horrible pangs of starvation vou are luckier than 500 million people alive and suffering.

If you can read this message you are more fortunate than 3 billion people in the world who cannot read it at all.


I was able to feed Liam squash yesterday and that is more than a lot of people have. I am going to post pictues tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Liam's 6 Month Mini Birthday Party

I cannot believe my son is six months old. It doesn't feel like he should be that old already, but I can't remember my life before him. It's like I was only half living. The amount of love I have for my son every time I look at him takes my breath away. Motherhood is the biggest gift anyone can receive and I feel truly sorry for those who cannot experience it.
"A son will hold your hand for a little while, but he will hold your heart for a lifetime..."

Maybe it is silly, but 6 months was a big deal for this mommy. So I decided to throw a little party. Thankfully Joel helped me set it up because it's a lot of work! I better start planning his 1 year now! Here are some of the pictures. I didn't get too many(Although it doesn't seem like it!). I am bad with this selection thing.



















Monday, October 18, 2010

Mandatory Measurement Monday

The time has come. As I have mentioned, I have spent the last couple of months cleaning my house and doing massive organizing to make myself and my life better. Well now I need to add to that. It's time I get back on track with my weight loss. Though I am thinner than I have been the past couple of years, I am no where close to where I want to be. It something that constantly weighs on me (pun intended). I am not concerned about being "skinny" and looking like a super model, but I want to be fit. It is important to me to obtain my goals for my own gratification, but it is also important I do it for Liam. I want to be a good role model and provide him with the knowledge and tools to be healthy. If Liam has my body type, weight will always be a struggle and I don't want to enable bad habits and cause him to be overweight. Now if you know me you know I have claimed to get back on track before. So what makes this time different? You, this. I am going to start doing a weekly food and exercise journal and weigh-in. On what day? Mondays, you guessed it ;-). The whole worldwide web can access my stats, so I don't wanna cheat or keep gaining. Embarassing. I am purposely leaving myself open so I will do what I am supposed to. So without further ado, my horrendous starting stats and progress pictures:

Mommy Stats-
Weight: 178 lbs. (YIKES)
BMI: 30.6 (Obese :'()
Inches:
Hips: 43
Belly button: 40
Bust: 40, I think, its supposed to go directly around your breasts, yes?
Thigh: 26
Upper Arm: 14

I have indicated the areas I hate most...can you still see me under all of the writing?! HA




Isn't all of that sad and depressing? But thats ok, I'm not too beat up over it because it is just a starting point. My weekly journal will also go below the progress pictures, but I am not putting last weeks down on here. I'll leave you with some inspiration.



Dieter's Prayer
Lord, my soul is ripped with riot
incited by my wicked diet.
"We are what we eat," said a wise old man!
And, Lord, if that's true, I'm a garbage can !

I want to rise on Judgment Day, that's plain,
But, at my present weight, I'll need a crane.
So grant me strength, that I may not fall
Into the clutches of cholesterol !

At margarine I'll never mutter
For the road to hell is paved with butter.
And cream is cursed, and cake is awful,
And Satan lurks in every waffle !

Give me this day my daily slice,
But cut it thin and toast it twice.
I beg upon my dimpled knees,
Deliver me from jujubes please !

And when my days of dieting are done,
And my war with Snickers bars is won,
Let me stand with the heavenly throng,
In a shining robe...size seven, long !

I can do it, Lord, if You'll show to me,
The virtues of lettuce and celery.
Teach me the evil of mayonnaise...
Of pasta a la Milanaise, potatoes a la Lyonnaise...
And crisp-fried chicken from the south ...
Lord, if you love me... shut my mouth !

- Author Unknown

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Forward Motion!

That's right, my little Liam Michael is starting to get on the move! He is still rolling most of the time to get where he needs to, but he is close to figuring out crawling! I have mixed feelings because once he starts crawling, I am doomed. It's also another step in the growing up direction. Anyway, I am so proud of him and I think you can hear the big grin on my face in the video:



I am finally starting to feel well enough again to get back on the *operation declutter and decorate* my home. My projects this week: I made two dollar store hurricanes featured on DecorChick's blog. I didn't take any pictures (lazy), but I am sure you'll see them eventually. I also cleaned out my pantry (yikes). That I did get some snaps of:
Before

After

...Of course, Liam Supervised...
Now it's no where close to being organized the way I want, using plastic containers for cereal and extra shelving pieces, but it's clean and you can see pretty much everything. What an improvement! Something else I am very excited about, but didn't post (lazy again) was my Goodwill find! Ain't she a beauty?! $45 dollar Thomasville almost mint condition chair. It is so comfortable and almost exactly what I wanted! Score! I am in the process of getting the decorations done and everything ready for Liam's mini birthday party on Sunday. I can't wait.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Laid Up

I have really been neglecting my blog this week. I have pretty much been laid up the past couple of days with a cold. Runny nose, sore throat, cough, sinus headache, the works. One thing no one prepared this single mom for was the fact that babies don't watch themselves while their sick mommy crawls up in bed. It didn't help that Liam doesn't feel well either because he is in full swing teething mode. Poor little baby, it absolutely breaks my heart. I keep thinking, they have to break through soon! Now, today, I have to clean since my blog isn't the only thing that I have been neglecting. But I am happy to because Sunday we are celebrating Liam's 6 month birthday with a little party! It is going to be fun and I can't wait to decorate! I can't believe he is already going to be 6 months. Where did the time go?!

6 Months Ago



Today

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Fall Weather and Park Adventures

It has been so hot the last couple of months! Not unusually so, but that doesn't make you feel any better when you're sweating in places you don't like to think about. Poor Liam probably thinks he made a wrong turn from Heaven toward Earth and landed in Hades. Well, we just had a killer storm last week (killer for Phoenix) and it is finally starting to cool down. This weekend we took a trip to the park to see if Liam was big enough to swing in the baby swings and he is!! He seemed to really like it, and he looks so stinkin adorable doing it! I have proof.
He did some of the other park stuff, but not alone, so its not as cute.
Don't mind the bbdd, but he did slide!
Other exciting news, this weekend Liam has started successfully sitting unassisted in the tripod position for up to two-three minutes! He is getting too big. I swear I say that every blog entry. He has also had a few extremely cranky days. I don't know if he is teething for sure, but I am about 99.9% positive. He gets really cranky and pulls on his mouth and shoves his whole fist in his mouth. He cries and screams and doesn't want to be put down. These teething tablets have been lifesavers. Thanks to the recommendation from my lovely sister we are getting by so far. I'll leave you with a few snapshots.

I'll eat anything right now Mommy
My lamby swing, yeah, its still got it
They stare longingly, "let us out".