Amazing Women

I love to collect amazing women in my life. I have the most wonderful friends and mentors in the world. More on them at another time when I have my computer back!! I did want to call your attention to a special woman Su who writes this blog http://theintentionalhome.blogspot.com/ .

My friend Julie told me about Su Soutter and her coupon class several months ago. It is how my coupon club actually got its feet off the ground. I attended the class with our club and really learned a lot of things. Su turned her emails into a blog which I really enjoy reading. She recently mentioned the Monkey Exchange website and sale and that her sister was in charge of it. I was floored! Her sister Jenny is a member of our church. I also taught her son Whitt's Sunday School class when he was just a little thing. (They possibly have the cutest children ever...well besides Moses!) I love it when my world gets a little smaller. I did make it to the sale this evening and got some really cute stuff for Moses. If you like saving and learning how to find a bargain these two women can help! Isn't it great how the blogging/Internet communities help make our lives better?!

Broken Computer and aaaaachooo...a cold!

On Friday evening my computer cord broke. I had been dealing with a short in the cord for a while, but the metal piece that plugs into the computer completely came on. So now I have ordered a new cord from ebay. The good news is it is only $10! Hopefully it will ship soon and I can get back to uploading pictures and blogging. I got a lot done yesterday without stopping to check facebook, blogger, WRAL, etc.

Super woman has been slowed by a bad cold. Yesterday's afternoon sniffles have turned into a bad cold...YUCK! Moses had the sniffles last week and is all better but apparently his favorite nose wiper has caught what he had. And since I just provide the super duper strength antibodies for him I am much worse off. Dear sweet husband is staying home today and taking care of us both and threatening all sorts of unpleasantness if he gets sick.

We did have some fun this weekend. Shopping at Southpoint where Little Man caught the giggles and behaved very well for the entire trip. Yesterday before I got sick, Miles and Penny came over to play and then we went to the pool with Cameron and Amanda. Loved seeing all the kiddies and playing.

Pray for our health and quick recovery so we can enjoy daddy turning thirty tomorrow!!

An end in sight...

I've all most made it a year. And I'm not talking about surviving being a first time mom. I'm talking out making it a full YEAR as a nursing mother. I didn't plan on it and to be perfectly honest I have tried to give Moses formula a few times but let me just tell you he can spot a fake from a mile away. No sir, not for him. God has given me signs that has been the right thing for us. Every time over the last few months that he has rejected formula, days later he would get the "sniffles." I know they would have been much worse had he not been a breastfed baby. So, about June I could see an end in sight. I thought, just a few months longer I can do this. It has been a big blessing and a huge challenge all at the same time. But, I'm super glad I will be able to have a little more freedom in the next few weeks! Enjoy what Suzanne thinks of nursing mothers. P.S. I have never nursed in public, and don't think I could.

Let's go for a ride!

Yesterday, Andrea and Julianne came over to play. They are really getting to the age where they can actually play. Moses is VERY curious about children his own age and followed Julianne around wherever she went. Sometimes he got a little too close, but soon they found a game they both liked. Julianne sat down on Moses' little car. I thought he was going to get upset and want her to get off. Instead he began to push her around the house in it! It was so sweet. They played for awhile and danced to music. We can't wait to play with them again soon!

Too may words Tuesday...

I've been doing Wordless Wednesdays now and again, but this picture has some explanation so we'll have it today. I haven't been as consistent about cooking as I would like. I have cooked, just not like I should have. I was very determined to get a good meal on the table last night. This has been SO hard because of the stage Moses is at. If he is in the kitchen he is getting into the cabinets (let me just say, some of our child proof latches are just for decorative purposes). I do let him have free reign in my cutting board and muffin pan cabinet and he does have a spoon, but he likes to wander and then he wants to be held. He also insists on trying anything that he seems me cutting up or eating. He's my little shadow.

He did some of these things last night but also decided he would like to play in our living room. That was fine because we have an open floor plan so I could see him. The only time he tuned up is when I used the food processor. After I had finished, I noticed the field day that he had with his toys....ummm, wow?!

At least he had fun and was quiet. For now, that is all I can ask for? As for my dinner, it turned out great! Here is the recipe for my mama's meat loaf.

Easy Meatloaf

1lb Ground Beef
Green Pepper
Yellow Onion
2 Slices of Bread
One Egg
Ketchup
Oregano
Salt
Pepper

Dice one half of yellow onion and half green pepper. Sautee until softened. Shred two slices of bread into bread crumbs (I use my food processor). Add into bowl ground beef, egg, onion, green pepper, approx one cup of ketchup and bread crumbs and season with oregano, salt and pepper. Mix until blended well. Mold into a "loaf" shape in a pyrex dish. (You can use loaf pan but I like this better). Cover with ketchup. Bake at 350F for approx an hour. Add more ketchup after first 30mins. I usually cut mine in half to make sure it is done. Moses actually likes this meal as well!

Walking Update

Big "strides" in walking today! Moses was really practiced a lot before daddy came home, and boy did he have something to show. He can walk across entire rooms without missing a beat. He seems a bit more assured and steady, but sort of resembles a sleepy duck with his little rear end stuck out when he nears the end of a long walk. He is so proud of himself and smiles and squeals as he goes. Right now I am enjoying this because it keeps him really busy!

Boxed In

Nana,

I really like my new car seat. But, I think I like the box better. Next time can you please send more? Thank you!

XOXO,

Moses

11 Months Old!

What a big boy we have! I swear the weeks are coming closer and closer together. I think Moses is already starting to make his way into toddler behavior. (Would you like some cheese with that whine?) No matter what, he is still my baby boy. What is he up to? Well..

- Taking more and more steps!
- Can stand up without pulling up.
- Loves to wave and say hey and bye.
- Can tell you "All Done!" saying and signing at the same time.
- Loves opening and closing cabinet doors and drawers
- Starting to work on puzzles
- Hums and sings to himself while playing alone
- No more baby food! Eating all regular food.
- Favorite foods are: grilled sandwiches, pineapple, ground beef, spaghetti
- Some trouble sleeping this month. Getting better though.
- Two new teeth, almost four.
- Loves playing in the pool.

I'm sure I'm leaving something out, so if you know of something he does leave a comment and let everyone know! I can't believe that I will be writing about him being a year old in just one month. I ordered his birthday invitations a few days ago and can't wait to plan his very first birthday party!

Wordless Wednesday

Moo Moo Mr. Cow

There are only a few things that will stop Moses in his tracks when it come to the TV. He'll semi watch Elmo or Sesame Street and he will always pause and smile at me when he hears the theme song for Golden Girls or Gilmore Girls (eek, I just noticed the similarities there and it makes me want to hide). BUT, lately I have noticed his intense love for the below commercial. He literally stops what he is doing and watches intently and then starts to dance. And I don't mean a little head bop, I mean hands in the air get down tonight boogie. It has us in tears.

What I did on my Summer Vacation

by Moses J. Barker

I invented lots of new games. I love racing down the hall at Mimi and Papa's house. It is fun when people chase me. I laugh and scream. Sometimes I like to open the doors and see if someone is hiding. I also like for people to jump out and get me.

We went to the park! Daddy and I pretended to be funny people

Of course I had to play on the swings. It's my favorite. I let everyone take a turn pushing me. I even sat with everyone while they had a turn on the swings. I guess grown up people like to play at the park too. After the swings we went down the slides.

This is my new favorite toy. It is called a Swiffer. It is really a toy for the big people but Mimi fixed one for me so I can play too. I really like to move it around while Mimi fold clothes. It makes her really happy to see me playing with it.

Mommy's camera battery died when we went to Aunt Hattie's house to go swimming. I had the best time! We played in the pool and splashed. Then I sat with Aunt Hattie and played with a water bottle. She talked to me and made me laugh a lot!

I also tried lots of new things to eat while I was gone. I had french toast for breakfast and sometimes as a treat after dinner. Mommy makes me toasted sandwiches with turkey, cheese, and spinach. She also puts spinach in my quesadillas. I had lots of fruit too. I ate watermelon just about every day. I also had kiwi and cantaloupe. It was all yummy! I hope everyone is having as much fun as I am this summer!

Happy Fourth!

I have always loved spending the 4th of July in Emerald Isle. Last year, it was the last out of town trip we took before we had Moses. It was a much different trip this year! I swear that Moses knows when we are going on the boat. He gets so excited that he can't take his morning nap. So, he took an impromptu nap once we got to a little island.

He woke up MUCH happier and ready to play. He wasn't nearly as bothered by the sand this time and played all day with his shovel. Later in the afternoon, my Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dave and one of their grandchildren met us out on the island. Moses just adored Aunt Brenda and wanted to be held by her while she was there. Later that afternoon, we took a little boat ride and Moses took another boat nap!

We got back home and made all sorts of yummy food for a cook out. We even had a visit from our friend Ben Watts. We were curious to see if Moses would wake up during the fireworks but he slept soundly. We sat on the dock and watched the fireworks that the town put on and of course the ones our crazy neighbors produced as well. It was a great day!

Aunt Amber's visit!

While we were staying with my parent's, my "little sis" Amber came to visit. We met up with her for lunch and then went back to my parents so she could really play with Moses. He really loved playing with her! Thankfully, Moses took a good nap so she and I could sit on the dock (well, I had to wash the naughty dog) and visit. It was so great to see her. She even brought Moses a beach goody bag so that he would be all ready for July 4th. We can't wait to see you again soon! Please call us when you come up to Raleigh!