Pillow Talk

Kris:  "Be a lady and close your legs"
Me:   "Why should I close my legs?"
Kris:  "Because you don't have sweaty balls"
Me:   "No, but I have chub rub!"

That was our conversation in bed last night.  It was like 80* still at bedtime and I was all sprawled out because I was hot.  I was taking up more than my fair share of bed and Kris wasn't happy about it.  Haha, oh such sweet pillow talk!

Writer's Workshop: My Wedding Song

1.) Write about your wedding song. What was it and why did you choose it?

When Kris and I got married there was no question at all about what "our song" would be.  Let me back up and tell you the story of our song before I tell you what it is.

When we first met I had just gotten out of a bad relationship.  I had been heartbroken to the point of needing to move home to have my mom take care of me, physically and emotionally.  It took me a full year to really recover and to be able to move on.  I went to Seattle {where I lived for this bad relationship of 3 years} and saw friends for my birthday in January 2008.  I saw my ex after nearly a year and I had this moment of peace.  There is no other way to describe it.  Unfortunately for him he had a different moment when I was there and made up his mind to beg for me back.  I left Seattle crying as I drove, and finally felt like there was a reason he broke my heart.  I learned what I really am worth and what I don't need from a relationship.  I learned that I deserved someone who wasn't a liar and who could tell me "I love you".  It was a great eye opening experience.

My first day back to work after my little vacation, I saw Kris.  This wasn't the first time I'd physically seen him.  He'd been waving to me and saying hi almost daily for a month and had been secretly watching me for a couple months.  However, after my vacation and moment of clarity that I had really found ME again, it was the first time I'd SEEN him.  He had the sweetest smile I'd ever seen and all of a sudden I couldn't get it out of my head.

Fast forward a few weeks and we are dating seriously and even starting to talk about how we think we are already in love, but that it wasn't scary it just felt right.  He told me there was this song that he had been playing a lot lately, and that it reminded him of me.  How he had a trouble past with love and now it all seems worth it to have found me.  I laughed and said "oh yeah, is it THIS song - it reminds me of you!".  Sure enough, it WAS the same song!  We quickly tagged it as "our song" and when I would stay the night at Kris' place he would have it playing quietly on repeat ALL.NIGHT.LONG while we slept.  It was cheesy, but very sweet and it made me smile every time I woke up. 

It was a no-brainer for us that "our song", Rascal Flatts "God Blessed The Broken Road", would be our first dance and our wedding song.  It is our song in every way.  We both have checkered pasts, but all of that was worth it when we found each other.  It became clear why we went through everything we had - it was so we would know each other, and see our potential, when we met.  When I hear the song come on the radio randomly it still brings a tear to my eye.  I'm so grateful.

Wordless Wednesday: Aiden Version

{Aiden was the main course for dinner}

{Aiden enjoying his dinner}

PS - you can sort of see his 8 teeth....

Wordless Wednesday: Kris' latest hiking/camping version.

Kris went camping and hiking at Cape Petetua last weekend.  These are some of his pics - my favs.

{that's the smile I fell in love with}

Fire & Ice - What's your sleep temp?

How do you sleep?  Are you a cold sleeper or do you like to be warm? 

Personally I like to be cold. Really cold.  It's proven that people sleep better when their body temp is cooler.  I have to agree with this.  I sleep much sounder when I am cold.  If I am too hot I toss and turn and wake up all night trying to uncover myself or take off clothes if need be.  If you are cold you can always put another blanket on or put on a hoodie or socks.  In general I like to be cold anyway, I am not one for hot weather.

Kris on the other hand, and Aiden for that matter, would rather be toasty warm when they sleep.  By toasty warm I mean sweaty.  Aiden is easy, we keep the heat a bit warmer in his room and he sleeps fine.  He wakes up if he gets cold so we've learned.  Kris on the other hand is starting to kill me when we sleep at night!  It's been in the 80's-90's around here and doesn't really cool down too much overnight, perhaps 60's in the am.  I like to sleep with a fan pointed right on me {in this heat I won't lie - there are 2 on in our room but only 1 points to the bed} and I like the window open to get that cold breeze at 4am.  Kris keeps turning off or turning down the fan that points at our bed, he keeps taking his warm body and curling up next to be and well, I've been suffocating! 

The last 2 nights I have slept in a top only, not full pj's, and sleeping on top of the covers.  I still wake up hot during the night.  It's driving me crazy.  He sleeps in a muscle shirt and basketball shorts and complains he is cold.  I keep asking him to put on a hoodie or sweats and let me keep the fans going on high.  I can't wait for the weather to cool down so I can finally sleep comfortably again!

So tell me - do you sleep better when you are warm or when you are cold?  There is a handy little poll at the top of the blog - I'm interested to know if I'm alone in wanting to be a block of ice when I sleep.

Bachelorette Talk Tuesday

Frank.  Going to talk to your ex while falling in love with Ali.  If you have doubt, it's not the real thing.  That's my theory.  If you have to go and see your ex-girlfriend to "find out" if you are still in love with her, then you are still in love with her, and are NOT ready to be in a strong committed relationship with someone new.  Especially not someone who is looking for marriage.  I'm glad that Frank is not right for Ali - he was my wild card this entire time and Chris L and Roberto were my top two.  Now I win no matter what!  At least Frank is honest enough to bow out now before he met her parents, or before he was in the final two.  Reality Steve says that Frank wanted out a few weeks back but the producers made him stay and tape the "get back together" bit for more drama.  I wouldn't doubt it, but it's sad. 

Roberto.  Oh Roberto.  You look a bit tired in tonight's episode.  Maybe that's just me, or baby they toned down the eye makeup in the islands.  You are still sexy though, but why oh why do you have your shirt on still?  Next question - why is Ali wearing a pink ruffled bikini bottom and a yellow bikini top - ABC couldn't spring to get her a matching set?  Way to scare Ali with his "there is something that's been on my mind".  I thought it was so sweet how shy he was to say how he feels, that's a real man for you.  I missed if Ali stayed the night with Roberto or not, but I don't know a single person who wouldn't want to stay the night with him!

Chris.  First off that water was such a beautiful green color.  I could NOT have jumped from that high off the boat.  how scary.  I could also NOT swim that far to get all the way to that island.  I agree with Ali, the best kind of love is the passionate kind where you laugh a lot.  Just last night Kris had be giggling up a storm in bed last night.  It's important to be able to have fun when you are with someone for the long haul.  OH MY GOSH - that was soo awesome they found pearls.  I'm beyond jealous about finding those, what a neat thing for them to share.  If they end up together he should put those into a ring or necklace for her for their anniversary. 

I love when the people go and talk to the host Chris.  It's like he THE one in charge on this show.  I don't get Chris saying "think about Ali, you are going to leave her an emotional wreck right before the biggest week of her life" - what was he trying to say to Frank?  Not tell her?  Let her down easy?  I may just be tired but I didn't get it.  Hey Ali found her pink bikini top - wonder if she was wearing the yellow bottoms under those short shorts when she talked to Frank?  I didn't take the talk too serious, I feel bad for Ali but I think a lot of the drama on this season has been really overdone.  They didn't need to tape Frank back with his ex, he could have just talked to Ali about his doubts, it's like they are really trying too hard to hurt people.

We end the episode with Ali feeling sorry for herself.  "Maybe there is something wrong with me".  You know she seems nice enough, but I have a feeling whoever she picks won't last.  She just seems to have too much internal drama going on about her love life.  I like how Ali didn't just trash Frank for hurting her to the remaining two guys at the rose ceremony, which she could have easily done.  I thought she looked pretty tonight though, very casual.  On to next week - THE MEN TELL ALL!  Then it's meeting Ali's family.

He's WALKING....

9 months and some change {he turned 9 months on the 9th} and he is starting to walk.  Like actually walk!  We had seen him take 1 single step 2 different times a few days ago, so we knew he was starting to get brave about letting go to move.  Well yesterday he started walking more. 

Just after Kris got home from camping Aiden was holding keys and let go of the sofa to stand and play with them.  This is not unusual.  Then out of no where, we weren't calling him or anything, he just took 3 steps - left, right, left - all on his own while still playing with keys.  Then he plopped down and kept playing like nothing happened!  Then a couple hours later Kris stood him up and then tried to get him to walk to him.  You know, the typical arms out "come here" dad thing.  He took only 2 steps this time but he knew he did it.  We got all excited and cheered which I think scared him from taking more steps. 

He took 2 more steps a couple more times throughout the night.  I know for sure that he will be making some big strides soon.  Don't they say once they take a few steps it's not long until you are running after them?  *sigh*  My little man is such a quick learner.  I'm soo proud of him.  I'll try to get it on video in the next few days if I can.

Book Review: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D.

After posting a few days ago about my trouble with Aiden's latest sleep habits I picked up this book.  Jamie over at Another Joyous Journey suggested it, telling me how great it worked for them with their son.  I love her blog and totally trusted her opinion.  I read the book in a day!

It was such an eye opening experience.  I had no idea that our main problem is his bedtime.  Turns out his bedtime is too late!  We normally get him to sleep by 9pm, some nights it's 10pm, and then he wakes up 1-3 times a night before getting up at 6-7am.  We thought we were doing good because 90% of the time he falls asleep easily at 9pm.  The book said to start moving bedtime up 20 minutes at a time and see how it goes.  Last night I put Aiden down at 830pm and I'm sure it's not seriously going to be THIS easy, but he slept amazing!  He woke up at 915 and I rocked him right back to sleep.  Then he stayed asleep form 933pm-712am without waking up once!  I was shocked!  Just having one good night has really inspired me.  I feel like we are on the right track.  After further reading it makes a lot of sense why he needs to go to bed earlier.  I mention a quote below that talked about this.

Once we get him in the habit of going to bed earlier and finding the time that works for us {I'm aiming for asleep between 730-8pm} routinely our next step will be cutting out his 3rd nap.  He still takes it but I know it's time to cut it out.  We'll start doing that slowly, I don't want to change bedtime AND nap time all at once.  So bedtime first and I think the nap will start to fade out naturally. 

There was one passage that as I read I got all excited... I read it to Kris and we were both like "whoa - this IS totally OUR problem!".  I'd like to share it with you... {page 125}

"Sometimes, around nine to twelve months of age, a child falls asleep around 5:30pm and is up around 730 or 8pm {ours is more like 430-6 for a nap}, then is up playing with parents for a few hours until 10pm, and finally goes back to sleep but does not sleep well at night.  The parents think the child is taking a third nap at 530pm, but in reality the child needs a very early bedtime, maybe around 6pm, and no playing between 730-10pm."

After reading that I am confident that this book is the right one for us!  Dr. Weissbluth doesn't tell you that you HAVE to let your child cry it out, it explains how it is a healthy option and how to go about it, it really just explains sleep problems and possible solutions.  I am so very glad it was suggested to me and can't wait to see REAL progress and be able to share it!  The book is broken down by ages and goes from birth all the way until they are in teens.  Talking about common problems that may show up as they grow, like sleep walking, nightmares etc.  I can see this book being helpful for many years, and many children, to come. 

I NEED HELP - 9 Months means NO sleep??

I have no idea what happened, but all of a sudden Aiden will NOT sleep at night.  We put him to bed, get a couple hours of out him and then he wakes up.  He usually wakes up right after we are going to sleep - perfect! 

The last 3 nights we have spent from about 11pm -4am trying to get him to sleep.  We take turns rocking him and putting him down and somewhere between 5-30minutes later he wakes up crying.  By 330-4am he is exhausted and finally sleeps until about 8.  It's killing us! 

I don't know if this is a 9 month thing - like the "wonder weeks" where he is learning new things, like trying to walk for him, or if it's this "separation anxiety" that the dr. said should hit soon.  He could be teething, but he just got 4 teeth a week or so ago {all 8 in front if you are keeping track} and he has never been this bad when sleeping during teething.  Tylenol keeps him pretty sleepy at night, but it isn't doing us any good this time.

We've tried letting him fuss a bit but that either turns into crying or jumping up and down and playing.  We've tried bottles in the middle of the night.  We've tried skipping a nap {although I'm going to try this again today}.  Kris suggested putting a shirt of ours in his crib.  We've adjusted the heat up and down in his room. 

After 3 nights of no sleep around here I am BEGGING for help ladies.  Is this normal?  Did your baby go through this?  What did you do?  What should I do? 

Wordless Wednesday

I finally waxed my eyebrows...

I went with my mother-in-law today and finally got my eyebrows taken care of.  I was nervous to get them waxed, but figured it couldn't be that bad.  It wasn't bad at all.  I mean it was a sting, and I jumped just a tiny bit the first pull, wasn't sure what to expect and all.  I'll probably just get it done from now on, I'm lazy.  While she was waxing my eyebrows she said "I do your lip too" and she did.  LOL  I guess it's her job to point out my fuzzy mustache? 

BEFORE

AFTER

My little Flinstone Feet.

Aiden has little Flinstone feet, or caveman feet.  I happen to think they are adorable, and I have to say, they help him stand very well.  Here are some pictures taken on his 9 month day, yesterday, of him standing.

9 Months!

Aiden is such a big boy these days.  He is certainly not my little baby anymore, he is much more my toddler.  He is doing soo many amazing things that surprise me daily.  I feel like he has always been, and is still, a bit ahead when it comes to all his milestones.  It makes me one proud Momma to brag about him!  It's fun too because has 2 cousins that are 3 and 6 months older than him and he is constantly advancing them and surprising the relatives.  I would be lying if I didn't say I loved it a tiny bit.  He is such a ham and shows off for anyone.  He smiles when he sees a camera and has such a strong personality.  Here are his stats and some of his latest fun facts.  Pictures to come in a seperate post.

Height:  32in {99%}
Weight:  25.1lbs {96%}

-  He eats almost every table food we do.  With the exception of too tough meat, PB, honey & strawberries of course.  {he got the okay for pb and strawberries today though!}
-  He can stand on his own if he pulls up on something first.  He is trying to go from sitting to standing now though.
-  He has 8 teeth, all in the front.
-  He knows when something is "hiding" and will look for and find it {see yesterday's post}
-  He dances to music when it comes on, and if he doesn't like the song he shakes his head "no" until you change it to a different song.
-  He shakes his head "no" and will push things away {like food or toys} if it's not what he wants.
-  He can climb up the stairs VERY quickly.
-  He says "mama" and "dada" or "daddy".  He also says "ba" and "nana" which we though meant banana because he eats them soo much.  Now he says "nana" a lot when he is getting cranky, so I'm not so sure anymore what it means for him.
-  He can "walk" using his push toys or pushing on a bucket or a chair across the floor.
-  He is great at his pincher grasp and can pick up his favorite treats cheerios and mini marshmallows .
-  He sleeps from about 9-10pm until about 7:30am most nights and if at all he wakes up 1 time around 3am.

Thankful Thursday

Just a few things I am thankfull for today....

-  for friends to have coffee or tea with
-  for free dinosaur shaped sandboxes!
-  for my mommy always taking care of me
-  for my amazing husband who loves me even on my bad days
-  for Aiden of course
-  for fresh brewed coffee
-  for window A/C units
-  for the new pretzel M&M's - yummy!
-  for the start of Big Brother tonight!!
-  for not wearing a bra - somedays I just hate them!
-  for afternoon nookie!  ;)
-  for polite people at the grocery store
-  for a great book to read
-  for my inlaws for letting us stay with them right now
-  for my mother in law for buying me much needed shorts for this heat wave
-  for flavored waters
-  for the movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - it's too cute

Aiden's New Trick

I hate to be all annoying and brag about my son, but I happen to think he is a bit advanced and smart.  I mean I could be bias, but I still believe it.

At almost 9 months {that post coming friday after his Dr's appt.} he does A LOT of things he 14 month old cousin still doesn't do.  Like take a bath in the big tub.  Eat lots of table food and little, if any at all, baby food.  He "walks" by pushing toys and buckets around the room and cruises around all furniture.  He stand without holding onto anything and has 8 teeth now.  He also understand when something "disappears" or is hiding and will look for it.  THIS is his latest trick.  We roll his toy balls under the sofa and he gets down on the floor and looks for it.  He also will lean over things and lift his little foot off the ground to reach for toys in his toy bucket.  Soo cute but I don't have a picture of that yet to share.

4th of July!

Here are some pictures of our 4th of July BBQ at my in-laws.

Aiden playing in the dirt.

Aiden not sharing his favorite toy with his cousin Marcus.

Some of the guys at the BBQ and the new firepit

My husband making sure his camera remote control works.

 Some of our illegal fireworks!  In Oregon you can only have the small fireworks, but in Washington {10 minutes away} you can buy big huge loud ones.  So the guys bought some and we lit them in the backyard.  We just prayed there wouldn't be cops around to give us a big fine!

Playing around with sparklers.

There you have it!  Photos were all our fireworks and were either taken by my hubby or his cousin Romel.  Aiden enjoyed the colors, but got scared with the really loud fireworks.  For those he watched through a window and then he was fine.  It was a lot of fun.  My mom and brother and dad all stopped by for food too, but they left before fireworks started.  We were doing fireworks until 11 and Aiden stayed up to enjoy the fun!  Hope everyone else had a good 4th.

Wordless Wednesday

Bachelorette Talk Tuesday

Here we go again.  More Ali drama.....

First up, Roberto.  She wants Roberto to be silly so they start out by taking funny pictures around town.  As dumb as it looked on tv, it was cute to watch then be silly.  The fact that Roberto is a true romantic and dances "every time he hears music" seems sweet now, but it may just be annoying the future.  Picnic in a castle.  Maybe it's just because I've watched every season on ABC, but these dates are super cheesy. 

Frank and Ty having a double date with Ali.  Sucks for Ty.  I don't feel bad for Frank because I still don't like him.  I feel bad for Ty because he has to fight for time with Ali.  I think they are a good pair, he's soo wholesome.  The start to dinner sure was really awkward, wasn't it? 

So Ty got the first time alone with Ali.  Talked about family of course, but at the end of their conversation they showed them just hugging, not kissing like you would expect.  Perhaps that shows us something about their connection? 

Next up was Frank.  I didn't fall for his whole sob story.  I do understand the whole living with parents thing.  Kris and I lived with my mom for awhile and now we are with his parents.  It's not that bad.  I think Ali knows that something is up wtih Frank, she said she's everything he wanted, but she has fears.... dun dun dun.

Time for some plaid, I mean Kirk.  I'm seeing a trend with Ali on dates... she needs to wear longer skirts!  She's a bit on the hoochie side.  I like how Kirk asked her how she was holding up with everything.  Not that I wanted to hear her whine, but I like how he responds to her and shows her he cares about how she really is doing.  He said he wanted her to be honest with him, good or bad.  She finally opened up how she feels like one day she won't be good enough for the guys one day.  Ali isn't going to find real love this season, because Ali isn't opening herself up.  I don't think she's ready for love.  She should have stuck to work.

Chris L.  I still think he is my second choice behind Roberto.  Ali is worried about him opening up before she goes to meet his family.  Poor Chris.  He didn't like the horse, and now he's stuck driving a scooter!  I'm glad the he did end up opening up a bit, but I think it's sad that Ali says it's too little too late.  Oh I LOVED the special bracelet that he brought her.  I want one! 

Rose Ceremony:  Chris L got the first rose which made me happy.  I'm glad she decided to give him a further chance. 

  Then it was Frank - boo.  Oh boy Roberto - you are going all the way to the end, and you'll be salsa dancing your way their!  Last but not least was Kirk.

See you around the hay Ty.  I liked him, so I am sad to see him go, but I don't think he was a good match for her.  Not like Roberto anyway.  He was too down home and easy going for her, she wants someone suave and who butters her up.  At least that's my take on it.