One Day at a Time...

Posted in: on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at at 8:46 AM 1 comments  

I took this picture this morning of Logan playing phone with the dogs. He was holding it up to their ears so they could talk! First Booker (sitting up) and then Lucy. So cute! He loves to bring it to Shane and I so we can talk and then hand it back to him.

Posted in: on Monday, November 24, 2008 at at 11:45 AM 1 comments  

YES! My blog is decorated for Christmas already!!! I'm living it up this year : ) We're actually putting our tree and decorations up this weekend. We're hosting two Christmas parties that are Dec 5 and 6. That is only 2 weeks away! So...you can just deal with it : ) I'm getting into the spirit early this year.

Posted in: on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at at 8:25 AM 1 comments  

This was Logan's last ride in the car rear facing...I tried to keep him this way as long as possible. My goal was 18 months but his little legs just got too long! He is still within the height/weight of his carseat to stay rear facing, but look how uncomfortable he looks!! He is loving riding forward facing now : )

Shane and Logan kicked off their boys weekend by making me dinner on Thursday night. They fixed calzones! Here is Shane helping him put the cheese on.After dinner they made brownies. Am I lucky or what?
I think this picture is so funny because it shows Shane talking so seriously to him about the brownies : )

I'm so excited because I finally got in Lucy's Delta gear! This is the new registration that we earned over the summer. I'm still waiting on our official badge but we have our ID number and have been volunteering already with this new certification. But, I have been waiting and waiting for the day that she can have her real vest!!!! It just came in today. Doesn't she look proud?

This was so funny. We have all of our drawers in the kitchen child-proofed but there is one that has our coozies and some cookie sheets that he can get into. (The latch doesn't catch right.) Anyways, this morning I looked over at him and he had gotten out the Cowboys coozie and put it on his milk sippy! I guess I drink one to many diet cokes with coozies on them : )
Then he carried it into our bedroom and put it on a coaster!! How cute!

I'm so relieved to be through with this weekend. We tested about 15 dogs and all but 4 passed. I think those are pretty good odds! It's very emotional for everyone and it's so hard for those who don't pass. We even had one lady storm out and yell! I had about 25 volunteers that I coordinated coming in and I have been fielding email after email for the last few weeks about this. I'm so glad to see my inbox quiet today!

Posted in: on Monday, November 17, 2008 at at 1:12 PM 1 comments  

Do you think he is spoiled??? This is Booker and he LOVES the couch. It looks like he spent some quality time with Shane this weekend! Lucy doesn't get on the couch much but every once in awhile she sneaks in bed with us! In fact, if Shane is out of town I encourage it!!!

Posted in: on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at at 9:41 PM 1 comments  

Here are some cute pictures of Logan and Lucy playing Legos together : )

Poor little Logan. He is cutting THREE teeth right now : ( Two top molars and his front bottom right tooth (next to the middle two.) I feel so sorry for him! I think this has made him a little out of sorts. We had a hard time getting him to sleep last night. I can't remember the last time that happened! And, then again, tonight. Boo...

Funny story from today: Logan brought me this book to read him and as I opened it up and started reading he pointed to a picture of himself at 3 months old and said "baby, baby" and signed it! (This book has a little place for a picture and it says silly things about how much you love them.) It's amazing that he is making the connection with his words now! I really wasn't sure when he'd start talking but we're having so much fun now that it has taken off a bit. It's pretty clear now that he knows exactly what is going on and understands everything. He's just still learning the words to communicate it.





He's also demonstrating his independence and showing his opinions. Today he told me he was hungry (ie signed eat) so I started getting him a snack ready. I gave him a graham cracker and he started crying. I could NOT figure out why. I thought it was because I broke the graham cracker in half so I gave him a whole one. Not it. Finally I said "use your words and show Mommy what you want" and he pointed to the bag. He just wanted to get the graham cracker out of the bag instead of me getting it out and handing it to him! I'm trying so hard not to reward his temper and to get him to calm down and show or tell me what he wants, but it's challenging! Especially when you know that they do not have the words to tell you. We do a lot of asking "Do you want this?" "This?" "This?" Until we get a hit, lol.

Posted in: on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at at 9:50 PM 1 comments  

He is also doing the sign for baby but he is doing it a little bit off. He can't quite get his other arm down! This is the best video that I've gotten so far. Sorry his head is kind of turned!

Posted in: on at at 1:30 PM 0 comments  

This week is a total whirlwind for me! Yesterday, we had our usual storytime at the library. Logan loves it! All you have to say to him is "Do you want to sing the crocodile song?" And he starts swinging his hand back and forth for the monkey's swinging in the trees! (Yes, the crocodile eats the monkeys. Well, all but one.) We tried an earlier time this week because of his new nap schedule. And, we went to Old Navy and bought him a new coat, hat and gloves. Winter is quickly approaching!!! I optimistically thought the light jacket that I bought him would be warm enough. But, I just can't bear the thought of him being cold. I'll have to take a picture of him in his new coat because it's hilarious! It's all puffy and he looks like the kid in A Christmas Story!

Today, we went to The Wonderplace with my playgroup. It is such a fun place to go. They have a sand table, water table, pretend supermarket, vets office, art room, play stage....the list goes on. The kids just run around and play forever there! Even though he had on a smock at the water table he still got soaked. I had packed an extra shirt but no pants. So, I took him to the bathroom and changed him. I wrapped his legs in his coat and ran to the car!!! I knew that he would fall asleep in the car because it was already noon. I couldn't stand for him to sit there all wet. Yuck! Luckily, I had several blankets in the car. Oh, and silly Mommy. I forgot my camera today : (

I've been GLUED to this computer getting ready for our big dog evaluation this weekend. It is crazy! You wouldn't think that it would take this much work but I'm going a little insane. I only hope that the madness calms down tomorrow and I can take it easy Thursday before the setup begins on Friday.

Some cute things Logan has started doing...He's learned the sign for Dog and Baby. He is signing baby and saying "baby, baby" over and over. It is adorable! I tried to get a video tonight but he turned his head. I'll try again soon. He is also saying "Duck" now. It's amazing how his verbal skills are really taking off! And, he's making a lot of animal sounds including hissing and barking!

Posted in: on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at at 10:57 PM 0 comments  

We've had a crazy couple of days! On Thursday night I visited the nursing home with Lucy. This is a monthly visit that we do in Little Rock. I was determined to go because I haven't been able to make the last couple of visits since Shane had been travelling. It was kind of crazy because there is a class on animal therapy at UALR and they were observing us. There were 6 dogs and handlers plus all of those students!

Then, Friday morning I went to the hospital to finally complete all of my training there. I have literally been working towards this since last February!!! I'll be so glad when Lucy and I can actually be volunteering there. I have had to do all sorts of orientation, screening and training before officially becoming a volunteer there. I know that this is going to be a really hard visit for me since the children we will be visiting are so sick. But, I'm trying to focus on the positive and the joy that Lucy will bring to them.

Friday night, we had Shane's work party which was at a bowling alley. We had a lot of fun! My friend Jenny came over to sit with Logan and that seemed to go really well. (At least that's what she said! LOL) Shane and I really enjoyed a fun night out, and I even broke 100 (barely, but I'm counting it!)

Yesterday, we went down to the fairgrounds out by us to watch the dog training club's agility trial out here. We took Logan and Booker and had a blast! It was really cold, but it's so much fun to watch the dogs run and jump. Booker really wanted to be out there! I have ran with him in several classes but I haven't done it since I had Logan. I was really encouraged with how Booker did though. He was happy and wagging his tail the entire time! I have always focused on Lucy with therapy work because she is such a natural. But, this gave me hope that maybe Booker could participate too someday.

Last night I had a girls night out which was fun! A much needed break for us Moms!! Things will continue to be busy this week as I get closer to my big dog evaluation next weekend. We're testing dogs all day Sat and most of the day on Sunday. Plus, I'll be finalizing all of the forms and paperwork and confirming everything this week. Friday will be set up and preparation for Sat...It's so much work! But, it will be worth it if we can get a few more dogs out there and working.

I'm off to spend Sunday with the family. I hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend!!

Posted in: on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at at 7:37 AM 0 comments  

Everyone always talks about how much Logan looks like Shane. I totally agree! But, I think there is certainly some resemblence from my side of the family...

This is Marty

Compared to Logan...am I alone on this one??? LOL

Just a few pics from this afternoon hanging out with Logan : )

Posted in: on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at at 3:15 PM 3 comments  

Today's just one of those days...it's been raining all morning which means we've been cooped up inside. I'm kind of in a funk today anyways, because I'm upset because a weekend I had picked to go see my Grandparents just didn't work out. And, for the first year ever, it looks like I might not get to see them for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's difficult to explain on here, but somehow I feel like the pendulum is shifting and it is making me incredibly sad.

This is one of the most challenging things for me as a mother. How do I pick myself up and not let me emotions effect Logan? I let him watch Sesame Street this morning, lol. I also just got him a Baby Signing Time DVD which he loves. Most of you know that I'm very selective on TV with him. Just in the last few weeks have I let him watch any at all. (By this I mean, I have not turned on a children's program for him to watch until now. If it has happened occasionally I'm okay with that but I just haven't done it much at home.) Now, I'm not saying that we never have the TV on when he's awake, but I generally try to keep it off during the day and if it is on it's because Shane or I are watching something. It's not on for Logan. But, today was definitely a Sesame Street morning...

So, a lady in the grocery store called him a girl the other day. Do you think it's time for a haircut?

I just haven't been able to bring myself to cut it because it looks so cute all curly. We'll see how long I can push it off! I kept saying that I'd probably cut it before the holidays, but they are coming quick!

I'm off to get busy. I have the nursing home tonight with Lucy so she needs a bath while Logan is napping. I can't take a stinky dog! We're also working on our huge Delta evaluation which is a week from Saturday. Oh, and we're leaving Logan with a sitter for the first time on Friday! Well, kind of. I guess it doesn't really count because she is a friend of mine from playgroup. But, I am so grateful to know that she babysits! It is always so challenging for us since we do not have family here. And, I'm just not comfortable leaving him with strangers. Okay, I'm off : )

Posted in: on at at 11:33 AM 1 comments  

Well, we will have a new president to lead our nation during these tough economic times. Here is my honest take on the whole thing. I wasn't too crazy about either presidential candidate. But, I voted the way my heart and my head lead me. I feel like my political views are pretty middle of the road and I have never considered myself to be completely republican OR democratic. BUT, I will say that becoming a parent has made me more conservative in some ways, but also more liberal in other ways. For example, I'm not too keen on the redistribution of wealth thing. I am teaching Logan that if he works hard he can have anything he wants/earns. On the other hand, I fully believe that any couple same sex or otherwise, that chooses to be together has the right to raise and love a child. They should have the chance to be a real couple and share all of the benefits that it implies. I am teaching my children to be tolerant of any relationship, and that love is enough. There are too many children out there who are not receiving love AT ALL. Why should we deprive children the opportunity to have a family simply because it is an unmarried or same sex couple? I bet those kids lined up in foster care would not care where there love came from. They would just be grateful to have it.

But, I also do not believe that our country need to go into MORE debt launching more programs when we have so much debt to begin with...I think it is very easy to get caught up in "change" and moving forward, but the cynic in me does not think it is going to be that easy.


Okay, I'm off my soap box now. I will say that Shane, Logan and I went to vote. This was such a huge day in history and Logan was a part of it! I'm so grateful to be raising my child in America where he will have the opportunity to chose his path in life, and one day vote for his choice for President of the United States. The year 2028 will have a new voter!!!


As we move forward in our nation, the seasons are changing and I can't help but admire how beautiful things are. As I do every year here in AR, I took some pictures yesterday of the leaves and I kind of had a moment. Logan and I were sitting out in the yard looking out at everything and I thought "This is all ours. This ground. These trees. We earned this and this is ours." I'm not speaking out of entitlement, but just that sometimes I just sit back and feel so thankful for all we have. But, not the material things. It is the beauty that surrounds our house. The dirt that my son loves to throw. The grass that my dogs chase each other on. The laughter that fills our home. Those are the things that matter.

Posted in: on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at at 12:41 PM 2 comments  

We had such a wonderful Halloween! It started with ghost and pumpkin shaped french toast for breakfast : ) Then we spent time outside playing and pushing the popping lawn mower up and down the driveway. He was also throwing his little pumpkin like a ball and then running after it. I thought this picture turned out kind of cool.Here he is trying to lift the big pumpkin!!!! Here is a little side note that I can't help but put in here. This is Logan this year with his pumpkin on Halloween:Just compare my baby boy from one year ago!!!! I can't believe how much he has grown and changed in one short year. Where does the time go???In the afternoon, Daddy came home and we put back on our turtle pants and shoes to play outside until it got dark enough to trick or treat. Finally time to go!!!!

Here we are trick or treating at our neighbors house. They were so excited to see him and had a little treat bag made up for him.

He was literally asleep by 6:45pm!!! We went out and trick or treated and then he was straight in bed. I think it was all too much for him. I actually went in to check on him around 10:45pm and he was running a fever : ( I'm not really sure what it was about because this morning he seemed fine. I tried to keep him calm (good luck mom!) today and gave him tylenol regularly. We did have a really crazy week and he is cutting ANOTHER molar. Poor thing!!! We'll just have to see how he feels tomorrow.

I think that all of our Halloween activities worked out perfectly. I'm so glad that we planned our playgroup party on the 30th so that we had Halloween to play and take it easy. It was so much fun to be with all of our friends in costume and then also get to take him trick or treating.

This upcoming week is going to be a busy one for us. Someone asked me this question the other day, "So, are you still JUST staying at home with him?" How do you even respond to that? On one hand, yes I am staying home with him and not working a paying full time job. But, on the other hand, I feel like taking care of him IS a full time job. (Many other stay at home mom's will agree with me on this one.) And, in addition to that I do so many other things-play group, family and friends commitments, volunteering my time for various organizations, keeping up with the house, paying all of the bills and handling our finances, meal planning and shopping, doctor appointments, dog training....the list goes on. Kudos to all moms regardless of your decision on the to work/not to work thing. But, to say that I "just' stay at home sells me (and all of us) a little short I think. Yes-I feel so grateful for every second that I have with Logan. But, don't think for one second that it is not a sacrifice for our family to make this choice. I gave up my career and a substantial income to "just" stay at home. But, do I think for one second that it was the wrong decision? Not on your life.

Posted in: on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at at 9:08 PM 3 comments