Sweet Successes

Yay for Thursdays! It's so refreshing to take the time to look back on the past week and find some successes, no matter how small.



1. Many of the little things are coming together for John's upcoming birthday party. For example, I was able to buy all the ribs on sale and actually had the space in the freezer to 10 racks (although this was courtesy of a freezer door that was left open a few weeks ago resulting in both a mess and a much emptier freezer).

2. I've cooked both lunch and dinner every day since Monday. It's amazing how easy it is to fall into the habit of grabbing something out. Lunch is the toughest for me, because I always feel like I can get something while I'm running other errands.

3. My husband brought me flowers. OK--this is probably his small success. It was such a nice gesture after a particularly tense week last week. Oh - they're still alive....that's MY success.

Mom Can Do It!

It has been a busy week around here and Dad has been on the road for the 3rd week straight. So it's a lot like being a single parent....although the grandparents help out immensly. (Seriously, I am amazed by single parents - how do you all do it?)

So to honor all the little things that were accomplished this week Faith and Family Live is once again hosting Small Successes. These are mine...

1. I stuck to my guns at the pediatrician's office and insisted that we see a doctor, not just a nurse. Turns out that John DID have an ear infection---moms know best.

2. I went to my water aerobics class for the second week in a row. :) It feels good to get some exercise and I love that I can take John along and let him float in the waves we create. Now if I could just get to the gym more than once a week...

3. The odometer is hooked up to the stroller. After one didn't work I just about called it a wash. But I talked to the bike shop, they found one that worked for a stroller, and I got it set up and running yesterday. John and I took an afternoon walk to celebrate - 2.2 miles. I think I should get to count that as yesterday's trip to the gym.

Make sure to check out other successes at Faith and Family Live!

First Steps???

John took his first steps today?

Yes, that's a question...

He's never liked being outside. Apparently, he has sensitive skin that doesn't like to rubbed by the grass or scraped by the sidewalk. Evident by the fact that he sits with one leg up in the air every time we sit down outside.

Today he was standing on the concrete sidewalk, mom standing behind him, and he took a few steps (Mom had trickily let go of his shirt) towards the porch. Ecstatic, I picked him up and ushered him inside. But when I set him down inside...he sat down and took off crawling.....towards the door! John pointed outside. Out we went. Back to the sidewalk. Took a few steps. Got to the porch....you get the picture. Lather, rinse, repeat.

So as far as I can tell, John can take a few steps, but only outside. I can see it now. He'll be 22 years old, walk from the car to the door....then crawl into the house.....

Today's Outing

I have great memories of packing up the car with snacks and ice cold water then heading off to the STL Zoo. It's a fabulous zoo (one of the top in the nation) and it's FREE to the public. The residents of STL have never turned down a tax hike to support the zoo. Now don't get me wrong, many things have changed over the years....They now play host to sting rays that you can feed and touch 4 months out of the year at Caribbean Cove. There is a delightful (all be it chilly) penguin and puffin exhibit. The cost of the railroad and children's zoo has gone up. And the River's Edge, filled with elephants and hyenas, is now complete.

But many things stay the same. The animals are close enough to breath the same air as you. The railroad gives you a behind the scenes tour. The herpetarium still creeps me out a little. And the primate house still smells like...well, you know....

Places grow and change over the years. Many things that I remember from my childhood in this area are gone...restaurants, hangouts, parks. Perhaps the best part about the zoo is that even as an adult, I love it there. It's great to be able to share the zoo that I frequently visited as a child with John. It's fun to rediscover the zoo through his little eyes. I enjoy pointing to different animals (although he can only find the ones that are moving) as we wander from exhibit to exhibit. And hearing the glee in John's voice as he pet a guinea pig at the Children's Zoo. Even if he did call it "iddy" which refers to our kitty, Valvoline. It seems that everything with fur that moves is an 'iddy' right now. Sharing a pretzel while sitting on the benches by the sea lions and being begged for bites by the ducks are memories I have from my childhood and now ones that I have in parenthood.

Can't beat it!

It's The Small Things

Danielle over at Faith and Family Live always says that it's the small things that add up...so here's raising a sippy cup of milk to that!

1. The house is relatively put back together following the painting of 4 rooms and a hallway and the installation of new baseboards throughout. (This success is shared amongst my mother, father, and husband - the latter two actually installed the baseboard.)

2. After having saved some money over the last few months, I finally called our financial planner and put it to better use rather than letting it sit in our savings account with a crappy interest rate.

3. Went to the grocery store and saved over $20 on groceries with my coupons! Still had a huge bill, but $20 is $20....maybe we'll be able to put a little more $$$ away!

Check out other successes over at Faith and Family Live!

Preparation Is Underway...

Mom's Favorite August Picture

I think I have a fascination with bath time pictures?!?!

Yay! Mom!

Every week Faith and Family Live hosts small successes because they know in motherhood it's the small things that count! Stop by and check out other moms' successes after you celebrate mine...

1. I polished all the silver in the house. Not just the stuff that is in the china cabinet, but the stuff no one sees too! Plus, every piece of the chandelier was hand washed by yours truly! If you can't tell, we're deep cleaning around here...someone has a first birthday coming up. Nothing like a little elbow grease to make things shine (and to give you a sense of accomplishment).

2. We ordered supplies for the aforementioned birthday and created our guest list and menu. With family flying in from various locations, the planning of a larger party has become paramount.

3. Instead of bothering my sleeping son when we got out of the car by trying (most likely futilely) to get him back down to sleep in his crib, I let him sleep on my chest. But the real success here is that I've typed this whole post with one hand while lying on the couch with a dozing toddler... :)