Basement Renovation Day 1

I know I've blogged alot today...but I'm busying myself while I'm watching TV. Today is the first day of Basement Renovation!!! (woot woot)!!!

I worked all night last night and we decided that maybe it would be best if I stayed at the house today instead of going to mom's to sleep as originally planned. I knew I'd be afraid sleeping in my closed off bedroom while these men were working in the basement-so I'm laying on the couch-well, right now I'm sitting on the couch watching my DVR'd shows from late last week and weekend. I'm very sleepy and hoped to try to catnap some on the couch. However, today is "framing day" they're framing all the walls. Framing involves hammering and drilling and also cutting metal (I think those are the sounds I hear!!).

I hoping to get pictures to post of the progress....

Catching up....

Wow...Only 5 days into 2009-what a roller coaster!!!
**if you came here to see what the tagging is all about-check at the end of the post!!!**

So first off, we had a fabulous New Years Day with old friends (and new friends too!!!). Deb and Erin, Tim, and Stella came along with Kara, her mom Sue, and Baby Charlie!!! This was my first time meeting Stella and Charlie. Wow...adorable little babies!!! It was amazing to catch up with friends and see these BFFs as moms for the very first time!!! I miss them dearly. It was great to talk about baby wearing and diaper bags and getting organized and working. Wow. I needed that so much!!!

However, then friday night I went to work and felt just horrible all night. I thought it was just still the horrible pregnancy side effects I've had....however, when I woke up on friday for work-just before I left-I started getting sick. I tried to sleep a little and go in late to work but it just didn't work out. I had the flu. The same flu bug that everyone else has gotten!! ugh. I didn't work saturday or sunday but today- Praise the Lord- I feel better than ever!!! I actually feel better than I have in months. You see, Sunday, Jason woke up with it too so we called our inlaws and they came to get Max and keep him overnight as we nursed ourselves back to health. Today we both feel much better and have gotten some things accomplished (like taking that tree down without Max's "help"). Jason called off work today though too...and good thing...we work for a while and then we both collapse. We really wanted to get the house disinfected from this bug so we deal with it no more!!!!

Max is on his way back now and we just can't wait to see him. I've missed him so much!!!

And-my friend Meghan had her baby girl!!! Of course we were gonna go visit her on saturday before I went to work, but that all changed when I got sick. So I'm giving myself 24 hours to assure that I'm ok before I go get my hands on her...but I can't wait!!!

**My friend Katie tagged me. I call her my friend...I don't know her. I read her blogs. We met on a chat board. She's a mom. She's awesome and has a great blog about cooking and has inspired many of us on the mom board to work on our grocery budgets. She inspires me!!! So yes, it sounds weird, but my friend Katie tagged me!!! I've never been tagged so I feel uber cool. Haha...doesn't take much to excite this mama!!!

Here it goes....

Here are the rules...

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6)
3. Write 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

http://busymomscookbook.blogspot.com/

1. I hate New Years Resolutions but still make them every year. So far I'm doing ok on my devotional this year and the house is clean!!!
2. I'm terrified to have 2 under 2.
3. I'm not sure how many kids we'll have now (this pregnancy has been rough).
4. I love to cook and get excited to include Max (and other kids) in the process.
5. I desire to be uber organized but I feel like I constantly fail. But I'm working on it.
6. I can't believe how much being a mom has changed me. My faith is stronger even though it's tested more. I am more aware of my surroundings (read: I'm more green). It's crazy!

Ok, You've been tagged:

1. Lorien
2. Nicole (or John...not sure who updates it)
3. Erin
4. Ali
5. Erin
6. Jill

Now, again, some of these are real life friends, some I "know" from the internet, and others are blogs I just love to read. Sorry, hope I don't freak anyone out!!!

Christmas thoughts....

You can check out Max's blog for updates on the little man and see some excellent quality Christmas pictures!!!

And here is the E family solutions to toddlers and Christmas trees!!! I have a feeling our tree will look like this for the next 4-5 years!!! Haha!!!

We already had 1 Christmas and Grandma and Papa's and we figured out how to keep Max busy and entertained....throw our paper at him**!!! He loved it!!!

**disclaimer: We did keep an eye on him and made sure he didn't actually eat any paper. Don't want you to think I'm a horrible mother!!!

*****

This is such an exciting Christmas for us!!! Max really has no idea what is going on but is much more into it than last year :). It's crazy to have a mobile little guy-he just sat in the bouncer last year while we opened gifts!!!!

We are continuing our tradition of opening new PJs on Christmas Eve. Jas and I even got new ones!!! I tried my hand at holiday baking. I made some fudge....the recipe that is posted below. I'm not sure if it's right....we'll see!!! It's exciting to think of new traditions to incorporate as our family grows. Its also fun to see Max light up as he rips apart wrapping paper (whether its his gift or not:)).

Even neater yet is watching my nephew Jimmy (he'll be 3 in March). This is the first Christmas we're really seeing a reaction from him.....he absolutely lights up when he opens packages. Makes me eager to watch Max grow up even more!!!

And we spent time Monday with Jason's sister Jenny, Mike and Hodge. Hodge is almost a year exactly younger than Max. Max isn't too sure about the baby-but luckily was gentle and not too horribly grabby with him. Oh how Max has no idea how his life will change come spring!!! Haha!!!

I am starting to perk up. These last few days I've actually gotten some sleep (6 consecutive hours on sunday...wow!!!). My lack of sleep, combined with sciatic pain and general body pain has made mommy a real Christmas Grinch!!! This pregnancy has been rough-but everyone I've spoken to says it completely normal. That helps...some. Haha.

The most exciting part is that I'm consistently feeling kicks. Wow. We're having another baby. It's so amazing to be sitting in the chair cuddling with Max and feeling B in my belly kicking away!!!

I must say-each Christmas Jason and I have get better and better. It's amazing!! We are so blessed and thankful for the lives we live.

Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior,
Merry Christmas!!!
Kristi:)

I'm sick.....

This isn't directly pregnancy related-except I think the pregnancy may have exacerbated it!! I have a cold that may actually just be allergies. Darn Ohio Indian Summer!!! It was 70s all week and I think whatever has me allergic was in full affect!!! Plus we're working on that basement (we need space, remember?) and well basements are damp and dusty. So I have no voice and a horrible cough!!! Luckily, my husband and son don't have it which has convinced me even more that it's allergies. My problem is that I just can't get enough sleep to get over this. When I lay down I cough. I hack. I don't sleep!!!!

Pray that I can get over this. I work all weekend!! Ugh....


And I'm patiently waiting an update on my BFF Kara...she's being induced today....and we're eager to find out if Kid L is a bouncing baby boy or girl!!!

Starting to feel better...

I am starting to feel better!!! I'm still tired but not so foggy!! If I get a good night sleep I can make it through the day without a nap!! That's progress!!!

Max is getting into everything!!! He's so curious and opens all the cupboards in the kitchen and loves to open the DVD player or eject the Wii games!!! It's tough to keep up!!!

Jason and I have been wondering if we're saying "NO" too much because it's not having much affect on him. I do understand that he's young but I'm concerned about his safety. I've read about 2 books on my message boards- 1 is 1,2,3 Magic and the other is Love and Logic. (You can open these links in a new tab to not lose this post-it's the website for each theory-lots of resources). I bought both books on half.com-love that site!!! Both are very interesting. I'm working through them. It seems silly to read a book to figure out how to take care of your child-but I love learning and seeing the different schools of thoughts on things. And I'm a bit nervous about hitting terrible two's when B is born. It exhausts me just thinking about it!!!

It's thursday-normally Jason is home but he had an education half day at the hospital. So our normal thursday is a little different. At least we have the office tonight!!!

Still tough

This week we've had a decent week-but we still aren't feeling 100% comfortable. Max's sleeping is erratic and he's still waking up to eat at night. The thing is, we're not sure if he's hungry because he's striking against some meals (you can read about the high chair strike in his blog). Also-on tuesday, Max and I had a play date with Meghan and Dominic (my new mom friend I met on the internet-Dominic was born just a few days before Max at the same hospital). We went to story time and had a ball!! It's so nice to have a mom friend around. Being a SAHM through the week can be lonely!!
ALSO-7/30- Max crawled.
I hear mr. fussy britches awake. Better run!!

Naptime is better!!!

Max seems to be doing so much better napping. He's definitely a boy that needs his sleep!!!! I can feel myself get anxious around naptime-but after a few cries he calms down. (Now today it was more than a few cries-but still....)

Jason, Max and I went to the greenhouse this week and bought some Wave Petunias for our back and front flower beds!!! Then it started raining so I didn't get them in the ground yet...hopefully next week!!

On saturday, there is a plant sale near our house and I'm so eager to get my plants in my Square Foot Garden!!! I hope to have pictures of it up next week!!!

I'm hoping to update Max's Blog with some pics here soon!!! Make sure you check it out!!!

Where did Spring go??

Max and I will be off to Bible Study soon. His napping has been so much better-yay!!!!! He actually slept 3 hours in his crib yesterday!! Woo Hoo!!!

We've been reading Babywise and Babywise 2 which have totally helped. Also Heathly Sleep Habits, Happy Child has been a huge help!!!

Since it's been so darn cold here and we all have been sick we haven't been walking at all!!! I even had to cover one of my bushes tuesday night because of a frost warning!!! I'm ready for that sunny weather we had a few weeks ago!!!

We are putting our garden boxes together today!!! (and by we I mean Jason). I mentioned before that we are using the Square Foot Gardening method. I'm so excited and hope we can get them planted next week!!! I can't wait to try to make Spaghetti sauce this summer and eat all our veggies!!! Jason is even better eating veggies!!!

We're getting there!!

Parenting is a process!! We're learning each day a little more!!! It's tough sometimes though. Max is doing better napping. We're reading a ton of books and looking at all the theories.
Our current read is Babywise II. I know it's controversial-but it has given me some confidence and a little hope!! At some point I'll do a review of all the books we've read and what we like!! We do need continued prayers-but we're getting there!!!
Oh-we bought a jogging stroller!! Its great and I love it!!! Since we've had it we've been walking tons!!! I feel healthier every day!!!
And we've been trying to eat healthier too!!! We went to Whole Foods (which was fun BTW) and got some veggies and frozen fish which we grilled out. Yum!!!! And Jason has converted to brown rice!!! Yay!!! Again-it's all a process but we're getting there!!!

Naptime stinks!!

My boy sleeps through the night like a champ! But he just doesn't want to nap!! We were trying a modified sleep training. It's not working. At all. It's making me physically ill!!! My poor little boy!!! He is so tired and gets so crabby/fussy!!!

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions-please help me!!! Otherwise keep us in your prayers!!!