Mid January already?

I am beginning to wonder if we are all going to be sick until spring.  I am not sure if we are just sharing back and forth or if it something new that keeps finding it's way in to our house.  I know I am tired of snotty noses and it just hurts to cough.  Little guy was well enough to get his shots this past week.  Poor little man has bruises on his legs where the needles poked him and he is a bit fussy.  But nothing so horrible that it has ruined his appetite.  That boy can eat!  Doc says he is 30 inches tall which is in the normal range for his age.  No surprise that he is about 5 lbs heavier than the normal range.  I didn't need that info to confirm that he is heavy.  My arms and back already know that. 

Almost 13 months old now. 

 

I am fighting to stay motivated.  I can't seem to keep any momentum to get anything beyond the basic things done.  I need to review everything in my house.  Get rid of things no longer needed. Do a real clean in every room instead of the quick clean that I have been getting by with.  Once upon a time I could spend one day and my house would be pretty clean.  Now I do good to get a few loads of laundry done and the trash taken out.  I have had so many demands for my attention, stress from work, and problems with my own health that I have fallen in a funk.  It is past time to pull myself up, straighten my panties out and get back to "normal".  I need to stay busy for the next few weeks anyway.  Busy hands help distract me from a sad heart.  We had to put our German Shepard down.  She had developed cataracts and her hips were causing her so much pain.  It is still so hard to make that decision and say goodbye to her.  She was a sweet friend.  The vet was very kind and said that we were making the right decision.  She has been my shadow for 11 years and it will take awhile to get used to her absence.  I will be cleaning up her hair in my house for a long time yet.  I swear she shed enough hair to make a puppy each week. 

Good bye sweet friend

 

 

 

 

How to fix & test the new ride

The new ride-on toy is getting some use. 

 

Here is how to maintain a riding toy.

 (According to Alex the expert mechanic-to-be)

 

If you find yourself having problems maintaining the wheels there is special way to handle that issue.  Simply use your teeth and chew on them.  (I believe he might be working on more teeth, 12 are not enough..... apparently.) 

Mainly it gets turned on its end or side and explored.  Then if there is time a quick tour of all the buttons and noise makers on the dash.  Then maybe a few fancy riding tricks.  I don't think he has figured out why I move all the toys off the floor around him when he is trying out his tricks yet.  I feel I should let him try the tricks but I don't want him to land on any of the hard edges of the toys.....

I wasn't sure if I should move the wagon or if it was what was holding him up?  He also put his hands in the air but I missed that picture when I put my camera down to move the blocks on the floor away.  He did end up falling when the whole thing fell over on it's side.  He landed on the carpet flat on his back.  He didn't cry but he did make his "I am not happy sound".  I looked at him and said "Did you go boom?".  He just grunted, got up and went back to playing.  I am just glad he fell away from the furniture.  I know we will not always be that lucky! 

So...... how do you like the shirt and sock look? 
He was wiggling so much I didn't bother putting his pants back on after the last diaper change. 
I kinda like the socks without pants look. 
It shows off his cute chubby little legs.
Not that they are near as chubby as they used to be. 
He is losing his baby fat rolls quickly. 
Before we all blink he will be driving and whistling at girls.  *sigh*
 

10 days off

Getting sick right before Christmas was NOT part of my plan.  The Mr. and the little guy both getting sick too was worse.  We are finally starting to feel better.  Should be all back to normal just in time for me to go back to work.  Looking for the bright side on it all.... I didn't have to get any "points" for missing work.  The bad side..... I am so sad that I didn't get to cook and bake all the goodies for the family.  I dragged my sad self out to the store Monday and tried to get everything that was missing for Christmas dinner.  I failed.  I always forget something.  *sigh*  This time I forgot the cherries for Cherry Cheese Cake and cool whip for the icing on the mandarin Orange Cake.  I found one small tub stashed in the freezer so I was able to make do with the icing so at least the cake was made.  The Cheese Cake did not get made.  The 2 dozen eggs are still in the fridge, no deviled eggs made.  No Pumpkin bread, no banana bread, no cookies, no pumpkin pie with maple whisky cream sauce made.  I did get the turkey breast made and we purchased a smoked ham.  So I put potatoes in the oven to bake and made seasoned mixed veggies and green beans.  I put the shredded cheddar and sour cream for the baked spuds on the table and along with some warmed up Sister Schubert's rolls and that was Christmas dinner this year.  Nobody complained.  There was plenty to eat and we now know Alex loves smoked ham.
I hope everybody liked their presents.  The boys sure liked the cowboy guns Cohen got.  It was so cute watching Cohen share them with Alex. 
I did not take enough pictures!  There just wasn't enough time.  So many things to catch up on with everybody.  And again I did not get a picture of us all.  I need to work on this.  Once a year we get close to having all of us in one place together and I keep forgetting to get a picture of it. 
This visit was too short, they have all gone home.  Tonight my house is much quieter.

Here are a few pictures of Christmas.  Once the gifts were opened I put the camera down and forgot to take any more pictures.  I am gonna blame it on the lack of sleep instead of just being forgetful.  I did not post the picture of Rob, it was not taken from a flattering angle and after all the work that he and Carrie did today I don't feel it would be a good way to show my thanks. 

 

 

 

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas.  Time to get ready for the New Year. 

 

 

One year

Little Alex is one year old now. 

Too bad all of us were sick for it! 

That did not stop him from opening presents or from eating cake. 

 

He played some with his new toys today.  But he really does not feel good.  His poor little nose is so stuffy.  We may have to go see doc in the morning. 

This is how you watch Sesame Street when you don't feel so great.

 

 

Ups and Downs

Little guy is not a fan of shoes.  He never leaves his socks on for more than a few hours.  I think I have found something to convince him to wear his socks and shoes. 

Outside

Of course he loves it.  Of course it is almost winter and he will have very few days to play outside until spring. 

Of course. 

Until then......  He is enjoying it.  It is kinda tricky walking around in the back yard.  There are bumps and dips all over the yard.  Wearing shoes makes it harder to keep your balance too.  It doesn't seem to bother him no matter how many times he falls.  He just gets back up. 

Here are some of the ups and downs in order that they were taken. 

AND kinda like the last post there a few pictures.  Not all I took of course.  Geesh!  Like I would do that to you!

 

Down

 

Up

 

Down

 

Up

 

Down

 

Up

 

Down

 

Up

 

Down

 

Up  (I think that is a diaper check by Shy)

 

Down 

 

Up

 

Down

 

Almost up

 

Up

 

Down

 

Up

 

Down

 

Up

 

Whoooaaa!

 

Leaf pick up has not happened at my house this year.  The hubby has not recovered from his surgery and I am simply not organized enough to get this chore even added to the list.  I have kept up with all of the laundry.  Does that count?  Besides I think all the fallen leaves add a nice touch to the pictures.  Alex likes them.  Except when he falls down and they stick to his hand.  Then not so much.