Successes Out of the House

It's Small Successes Thursday! After all, the little things add up to one big triumph!

Our successes for the week include:

1. With the help of my mother-in-law I took both boys to the zoo! We rode the train, took in the sea lion show, went to the sting ray petting arena, and rode the carousel. All before lunch! Then we hurried home because it was hotter than the hinges of hell!

2. We made it out and around town this week. Over the past week I've made it (with both boys in tow) to Borders, a friends house, Lowe's, my parents house, my grandmothers house, McDonalds, Walgreens, the grocery store and several other places. We've bought birthday presents, had play dates, purchased groceries and restocked the medicine cabinet!

3. I went on a childless date with my husband! We had sushi, we had drinks, we visited a friend, we talked about things other than a child's eating habit and bowel movements....all thanks to a grandma who was willing to babysit!

Check out other successes at Faith and Family Live!

Grateful for the Gifts in My Life

In the past few days I've noticed a lot of God's gracious gifts in my life...here's just a few of them...

* A mother-in-law who doesn't mind changing diapers, mopping bathroom floors, and dusting ceiling fans while I take an afternoon nap.

* A husband who gets up in the morning with the toddler so I can "sleep in" with the baby, then makes me a cup of hot tea, a plate of cantaloupe and Pillsbury flaky biscuits for breakfast. All before he goes to work at 8am to support our family.

* A toddler who loves his little brother so much he's willing to let Nathan suck on his finger just like Mommy lets Nathan suck on hers. (No matter that John shoves his finger so far down Nathan's throat that Nathan starts coughing - it's the thought that counts.) And is willing to share his whistles from Ms. Patti even though Nathan can't figure out how to blow them yet...

* A baby who is learning that being set down in a pumpkin seat or swing is not torture and doesn't require innate screaming. One who is nursing like crazy, growing like a weed, smiling at mommy, cooing at daddy, and doesn't appear to be turning yellow like his brother did at this age.

* An extended family that loves to Sykpe with us and watch our kids grow even if it is at a distance. A family that is growing immensely with four weddings on the horizons and a baby due any day.

* A roof over our head, money in the bank, laughter and love in our hearts...

Blessings are all around...

Small Successes - Two Sons Edition

I've taken a break from Faith & Family's Small Successes for the past few weeks. This break is not because our weeks have been without successes, but because surviving each day with a newborn and a 21-month old is a success on its own. We're getting in our groove now so it's time to start back up. Nonetheless, I would like to disclaimer this posting with a reminder that we may be looking at some super small successes because I'm new at being a mom to two sons.

1. I've started flying with the FlyLady. Okay, let's be honest - I'm trying to fly....I've shined my sink. My kitchen counters are clean when I go to sleep. I get dressed to the laces every day. I'm taking the baby steps she recommends - it's just I'm taking them slower than recommended...

2. I've managed to get some cooking done this week. Mostly because my mother-in-law has been here to help hold Nathan while I'm in the kitchen. But it feels good to get back in the kitchen - I love to cook!

3. John, Nathan and I have made a few outings now. It takes longer to do things - I'm still mastering helping a toddler down the step at the front door and getting an infant carrier out the door at the same time, but there have been no fatalities yet.

Growing Like a Weed

We have Nathan's 1 month stats according to the pediatrician:

*His baseball cap is measuring bigger than 75% of his peers...

*He is "standing" tall at 23 inches making him tower over 93% of his classmates...

*He will be wrestling in the heavy-weight division weighing more than 97% of his friends at 13 lbs. 0.5 oz...

Nathan got a clean bill of health at his 1 month check-up. We'll be monitoring his blood work at his 2 month visit just to make sure we don't run into any of the same problems we had with John, but as of now all is well.

$2.50 of Pure Joy

Do you remember the last time $2.50 brought you pure joy?

How about the last time you enjoyed the sun setting over the neighbor's house?

How often do you take the time to really savor your ice cream?

Can you remember the last time you were this happy?

Can you say $2.50 Well Spent...

Meet Nathan

John meets Nathan for the first time

Aunt Lizzy & Her Boys

Grandpa with his Buddy & Pal

Grandma says she knows nothing about boys!



Garcia Grandkids Family Portrait

Nathan meets Great Grandma Rekowski