So every time I make a suggestion to Belle, her quick response is "go blog about it." Right, like I'm gonna run to the computer and ask the world to help me convince Belle of my infinite wisdom. Part of her point is the lack of posts from ole Buck. Don't get me wrong, I've got a lot to say, but where do I even start?
Today I turned 30 and Belle gave me 30 presents with Fawn responsible for opening them all...a great start to my day and will be something I always remember. I'm a lucky man and so I will start "blogging about it." More from Buck later, it's too nice a day to sit inside.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Turn off the dark.
Poor Fawn was sick last week. Just your typical winter crud, but it's no fun. He was feeling so lousy that he had trouble sleeping, which is very unusual as Fawn loves his sleep (he's even been known to throw up in his crib, not make a sound, and go right back to sleep -- disgusting!). Last week the sleep didn't come easy, though, and I spent many a dark hours holding my little one. Fawn is so used to sleeping all night that he didn't quite understand why it wasn't morning. He repeatedly asked me to "turn off the dark." I wish I could have sweetheart -- and I wish I could have turned off the fever, the sniffles, and the coughs too.
I caught the crud too -- and let me tell you, it was yucky. One of the very few things I miss about life pre-Fawn is the freedom of being able to lay around when I am sick. It's hard to be a caregiver -- let alone be up all night giving care -- when you really just want to be left alone (or better yet, have someone care for you). I think it's one of the hardest parts of motherhood. It's pretty similar to morning sickness in that you can't do anything to change your situation. When you're pregnant, nothing makes you feel better (trust me, I tried it all) -- you just have to get through it. And, when you're sick with a child, it's the same thing. Grin and bear it -- and know that you will bounce back eventually (though definitely not as quickly as you did when you could lay in bed, drink plenty of liquids, and watch TLC all day).
I've only been sick since we've had Fawn a couple times, but each time it's rough. It makes me so thankful for Buck's help and support -- and so thankful we've got family in town to be there in a pinch (huge kuddos to my fabulous mother-in-law for accompanying us to the doctor this week and cleaning up the vomit that Fawn deposited all over me in the waiting room and again in Walgreens). I seriously don't know how single moms and people without family around do it!
I caught the crud too -- and let me tell you, it was yucky. One of the very few things I miss about life pre-Fawn is the freedom of being able to lay around when I am sick. It's hard to be a caregiver -- let alone be up all night giving care -- when you really just want to be left alone (or better yet, have someone care for you). I think it's one of the hardest parts of motherhood. It's pretty similar to morning sickness in that you can't do anything to change your situation. When you're pregnant, nothing makes you feel better (trust me, I tried it all) -- you just have to get through it. And, when you're sick with a child, it's the same thing. Grin and bear it -- and know that you will bounce back eventually (though definitely not as quickly as you did when you could lay in bed, drink plenty of liquids, and watch TLC all day).
I've only been sick since we've had Fawn a couple times, but each time it's rough. It makes me so thankful for Buck's help and support -- and so thankful we've got family in town to be there in a pinch (huge kuddos to my fabulous mother-in-law for accompanying us to the doctor this week and cleaning up the vomit that Fawn deposited all over me in the waiting room and again in Walgreens). I seriously don't know how single moms and people without family around do it!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Fawn at the Farm.
Buck was hunting (of course) the last weekend of January. Deer season closed on the 31st, so he had to get his fix until November. The weather was gorgeous though (74 degrees in January -- unbelievable) so I drove Fawn to the farm for the day. It turned out to be one of Fawn's most favorite days ever, due in large part to the fact that his precious Doc (his paternal grandfather) pulled out all the stops -- letting Fawn help drive the front-end loader and the bulldozer. For a two-year old boy, this is truly nothing short of heaven.
Once we pried Fawn away from the heavy machinery (better hide those keys Doc), it was time for some old-fashioned farm fun with Buck.
And a wave to Belle from the fourwheeler as they were off for one last ride before we hit the road for home.
Awesome way to spend the weekend -- perfect weather, beautiful setting, and (most importantly) priceless grin on Buck's face as he enjoyed a day at the farm with his little man!
Off to check out the hog traps.
Awesome way to spend the weekend -- perfect weather, beautiful setting, and (most importantly) priceless grin on Buck's face as he enjoyed a day at the farm with his little man!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Ride on fun.
Did I mention that Fawn loved tractors? He's turned one of his favorites into a new ride-on toy. He calls it his "hayride".
Fawn's been on two hayrides this year -- one at the pumpkin patch and one at a friend's Christmas party. He thinks they're fabulous. Now he's got his own hayride that he can ride whenever he wants (for as long as it lasts).
I give it a week before this one-pound plastic toy crumples under him. He's not that big, but seriously?
Lookup316.
At church this morning, Buck and I had the privilege of hearing from a representative of Fixed Point Foundation who discussed the project Lookup316. The organization (along with the help of many others) produced a great commercial for this year's Super Bowl that ends by urging viewers to go to the website www.lookup316.com and see what John 3:16 is and what it means. The goal -- to spread the gospel during the most important sporting event of the year. Fox Sports rejected the commercial, but it is still playing in Alabama and in the DC area during the Super Bowl. Or, you can watch it online -- check it out!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Fun Reads for the Little Trucker.
There are approximately one million kiddie books in our local library (I'm a terrible estimator -- just ask my dad who makes his living being excellent at the exact same thing -- didn't quite get that gene). Anyway, there are a lot. And, if you have a little girl there are tons of fabulous girlie books (Olivia, Madeline, anyone?). Boy books just aren't quite up to snuff, which is bad for Fawn because he absolutely loves to read. Most days we read about 30 books -- 10 before nap, 10 before bed and the rest sprinkled throughout the day. We totally dominate (as Buck would say) the summer reading challenge at the library.
In my next life, I'm going to write children's books -- boy books to be specific (and my mom is going to illustrate them for me). But for now, I'll just try to share some goodies that we've discovered. This week's theme -- truck books. Fawn loves him some trucks!
In my next life, I'm going to write children's books -- boy books to be specific (and my mom is going to illustrate them for me). But for now, I'll just try to share some goodies that we've discovered. This week's theme -- truck books. Fawn loves him some trucks!
Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle
Truck Driver Tom by Monica Wellington
Trucks Go by Steve Light
Note that two of the above are written by women -- maybe this ballet dancer could write boy books after all.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Cheesy Sweet Potato Fries.
Fawn is a pretty good eater, but can be quite challenging. Right now our enemy is veggies -- he will eat all the fruit you offer, but getting a veggie down him is difficult. I love getting food ideas from my mommy friends -- they are always helpful and encourage me to try something new with the boys in my house. So, I'm passing my ideas and small successes along as well.
Fawn used to love sweet potatoes when they came out of my food processor in the pureed form. After we transitioned to true solids, though, he hasn't been a huge fan. The below recipe (which I derived from a recipe I found for sweet potato skins) was a success:
three small sweet potatoes cut into french fry shape
cooking spray
paprika
sea salt
grated Parmesan cheese (the stuff out of the can -- don't judge, kids LOVE)
Preheat oven to 425 or 450. Lightly coat sweet potatoes with cooking spray so they don't stick to cookie sheet, sprinkly with sea salt, and roast for 20 minutes or so -- until cooked through but not too brown. Remove from oven, turn oven down to 400. Flip/stir sweet potatoes and push as close together as possible on your cookie sheet (so there are as few gaps as possible). Sprinkly lightly with paprika and Parmesan cheese and pop back into oven for 5 minutes -- until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Fawn used to love sweet potatoes when they came out of my food processor in the pureed form. After we transitioned to true solids, though, he hasn't been a huge fan. The below recipe (which I derived from a recipe I found for sweet potato skins) was a success:
three small sweet potatoes cut into french fry shape
cooking spray
paprika
sea salt
grated Parmesan cheese (the stuff out of the can -- don't judge, kids LOVE)
Preheat oven to 425 or 450. Lightly coat sweet potatoes with cooking spray so they don't stick to cookie sheet, sprinkly with sea salt, and roast for 20 minutes or so -- until cooked through but not too brown. Remove from oven, turn oven down to 400. Flip/stir sweet potatoes and push as close together as possible on your cookie sheet (so there are as few gaps as possible). Sprinkly lightly with paprika and Parmesan cheese and pop back into oven for 5 minutes -- until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)