Thankful Thursday 2-14-13

Yes I know today is Valentine's Day but I will do a whole other post to cover that.  

So today I am going to do a Thankful Thursday like always. 

This Thursday I am so incredibly thankful for our tax return that is on it's way.  

We have been a playing catch up with bills since Alex was born. 

At one point we were so close to being caught up and then we get hit with an unexpected EXPENSIVE expense. So now that we have our taxes filed and our expected return date I could not be happier that I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel again.

So as shallow as it sounds I am beyond thankful for money.  

Way Back Wednesday 2-13-13

This is not so "way back" but it feels like a long time ago.

My mom and I on vacation in 2009.

Alex's 1st Superbowl! 2-3-13

Every year Chris's Aunt hosts a family Super Bowl Party.  Whenever we are off work this is always where we go.  SOOO it was a no brainer where we would go with Alex for his first Super Bowl!!

Because I don't have their permission I am not going to put any pictures with the faces of our family on the blog!  So here are some pictures of Alex sitting up at the Super Bowl Party and watching the iPad with his cousin.

I couldn't not put this picture in the post.  Alex's cousin is getting much better at walking!  I just love this photo of him reaching for his Daddy while he walks across the room.

And to finish it off, father and son.

Mommy Must Have Mondays Baby Toothbrush!

Shortly before Alex got his first tooth, and he was incredibly fussy I went in search of a good toothbrush. 

Well while I was wandering the aisles of Walmart's baby dept. I stumbled across this for $1.99 and thought I would give it a shot.  I can't remember who made it, but it is amazing!  

And as you can see Alex loves it!

When he sees it in my hand he gets excited and reaches for it until he gets it.  

Here is what it looks like.  There is a small hook that they can hold onto it.  It is a chewy plastic and BPA free!  

Alex loves it!

7 Months of Alex

I never knew how fast time could fly until this little fella was born!  I feel like I blinked and a whole month went by!  Check out last month's post HERE.

Look how well he is sitting up now!  And we have another surprise!  Read on to see!

Height:  About 28 1/2 inches

Weight:  I am guessing but I would say about 19 or 20 pounds.

Diaper Size:  Still size 3.  As a matter of fact I just bought 2 big economy boxes during the Target diaper sale and used the $20 gift card I got for buying them to get your Easter outfit!

Feeding:  You continue to do excellent with eating.  We have started giving you more solids and you are a MESSY MESSY boy!  Of course we still watch you very closely but you love to eat bananas and crackers with your fingers.  

Sleeping:  Really no change.  But since you are rolling around and such I cannot make this blog without saying that you crawled off the bed the other day after your bottle.  BUT the bed is only 1 foot off the floor and you are completely fine!  Barely even cried!

Milestones:  YOU ARE ARMY CRAWLING!!  AND YOU GIVE KISSES!!!  I may just be the happiest mom ever!  You still love to roll everywhere but you are starting to crawl more and more.  You can now sit independently for more than 10 minutes.  You know Mommy and Daddy!  You got your 2nd tooth 1 week after your first!  And your 0-6 month photo book came in!

Here is a good picture of both since last months photo was not that good!

Loves:  Your toys and crackers!  They are what you would crawl all over the house for them!

Dislikes:  Rolling or crawling into a wall.  Which you do a lot more than Mommy would like.  Hats and of course seeing food and not getting it that second!

Adventures:  You had your first play date with your cousin!!  And your first Super Bowl and Super Bowl Party!! (Post about that to come soon!)  We took a trip the park on a very odd but warm January day!  Had your 6 month check up.  We lowered your crib.  Splashed in the tub for the first time.  Had Christmas with your Aunt's Becky and Theresa!  We also booked the park shelter for your 1st birthday!!

Let's see how this next month goes!!

Liebster Award

So back when I started blogging I never thought I would actually have people read my blogs or even "care" about what I had to say.  Writing and journaling have always been a passion of mine and to be able to share that with others is an amazing thing.  

Last night I was out with my husband and our friends when I received a comment from Ileana, a mama to be who I love reading!

In her comment she commented on my Shutterfly photo book I wrote about here and she told me how she nominated me for the Liebster Award!

The Liebster, is awarded to new and upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The award is passed onto other bloggers in the same category to help spread their names around and support one another.

If you receive this award these rules must be followed!

1.  The nominated blogger has to post 11 random facts about themselves.

2.  Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated them asked.

3.  Create 11 new questions for those the blogger has nominated to answer.

4.  Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate and link them on their blogpost.

5.  No tag backs

11 Random Facts About Me

1.  When I change the volume on the tv or in the car, pretty much wherever a number would show up, it has to be an even number. 

2.  I am one of those crazy moms who thinks of every reason to take pictures.

3.  When facing the bed I have to sleep on the left side.  Always have, always will.

4.  I am obsessed with the Disney movie Hercules.

5.  I hate cooking.

6.  I am a Pinterest-a-holic!

7.  I find it incredibly irritating when someone who works in the health field does all of the things they tell their patients not to do.

8.  I have recently found a new love for online shopping, mostly because now that Alex has outgrown his infant seat and it is just too much work lol.

9.  I am so thankful that my son is starting to look more and more like his dad.  All I ever wanted while was pregnant was for Alex to be healthy and for him to look like Chris.

10.  People think my brother and sister are my kids ALL THE TIME.

11.  I could never move away from my family.

My Questions From Ileana

1.  How would you describe yourself in three words?  Genuine, loving, and OCD.

2.  What is one thing you do just for you?  Blare the music when I am in the car by myself or work on our photo books on Shutterfly.

3.  What was one of your resolutions this year?  Have you kept it?  I wrote about my resolutions in this post.  The one I wanted to work on the most was to go to Church more.  I would say so far so good.  We have gone every other weekend apart from one, which was when Alex had RSV.

4.  If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?  We would not be behind on bills ever and I would actually have a decent savings.

5.  How do you feel about chocolate?  I think it might just be better than sliced bread!  But seriously I love it, but in moderation.

6.  What is your biggest phobia?  That would be something happening to Alex.

7.  Why do you blog?  I blog as an outlet to help remember our lives right now.  When I am old an grey I want to be able to relive as much as possible.  

8.  Dogs or Cats?  Definitely dogs!  I am really allergic to cats and I find them incredibly unpredictable which scares the pants off of me.

9.  What is your most embarrassing moment?  I had to think about this one for awhile.  But what I could remember would be:  When Chris and I had been dating for awhile we went to a party at his brothers house.  I really didn't know his family very well yet.  So I was glued to his hip.  While we were in the kitchen with "the guys"  we were eating chili, and in Cincinnati we eat noodles with our chili, well someone said something funny and one of the noodles went down the wrong tube.  I started coughing and hacking and when I finally cleared it I made the comment, "I choked on my noodle."  And needless to say none of those men can let me live it down.

10.  What is your favorite TV show?  It's a toss up between Grey's Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars.  

11.  What is your guilty pleasure?  Well if you follow me on Instagram you saw that it is a nice drink with friends.  

My Nominees

Stephanie @ The Happy Life Wife

Brittany @ Myers Family

Emily @ Life's a Beach

Sarah @ The Sweetest Life

Marie @ Diamonds, Louboutins & Baby

Laura @ tiny toes, little nose

Sam @ Brielle's Heart

Justin @ Double Trouble

I really can't find anymore bloggers that I follow that don't have more than 200 followers already.  All of these bloggers are excellent!  They have made me laugh and cry.  I highly encourage you to check all of them out!

My Questions for My Nominees

1.  Why do you blog?

2.  What is your favorite song?

3.  Who do you look up to most in your life?

4.  What are you most proud of in your life?

5.  What is your quirkiest quality?

6.  If you were President for a day, what would you do/change?

7.  If you could have a beer/beverage with Jesus, what would you say?

8.  Think back to when you were a kid, is your life now better than you pictured?

9.  If you could pick a career different than the one you went to school for or currently do, what would it be?

10.  What is your favorite dessert?

11.  What is one of your long term goals?

Shutterfly Photo Books!

So much to the annoyance of my husband, at the time, I took a photo of my belly bump each week while I was pregnant and at every opportunity I got throughout the pregnancy.  

Since I was about 6 weeks pregnant I had been thinking about his baby book.  Having worked with Shutterfly in the past to make our wedding album, which I will do a brief summary of soon, I knew exactly who to turn to.

SO slowly throughout the pregnancy I put together this book!

ENJOY!

I really love how user friendly the design layout is.  They give you idea pages or even allow you to design your own layout.  The majority of the pages in this book are from idea pages but in other books I have made I design my own.

Now I must say I do dedicate a lot of time to these books.  And these books are the reason I take so many pictures.  My thought is if I take more pictures I can make more books.  

And although the books may seem really expensive, if you wait long enough when you have it done, 9 times out of 10 there is a 50% off sale coming.  

I am patient enough to wait.  I just cannot justify spending $155 on one of these books.

And with each order you typically get a coupon code for your next purchase.