Odds & Ends

Well, the weekend has come and gone again. It always seems to fly by. It was a good one, though. It's Larson's birthday today, so I tried to celebrate it all weekend long. :)

Saturday evening we got out of the house by visiting a couple of our friends & some family.  We stopped by Chris & Chrisie's for a little while, then went and hung out with our friends, Marty & Wesley. They were having a little get-together with several of our other friends. It was good to get out and see everyone for awhile.

What's funny, though, is that around 9:30, Larson says, "Baby, you ready to go home?" I can remember when we would go out and not get home until at least midnight. Now when we go out, we usually have our little man with us, and even if we don't, we still like to be home by 10ish. We're getting old! :)

Sunday morning we slept in, getting up around 8:30-9. I knew we were planning on going to Walmart for some things, so I let Larson pick which one we went to, considering what kind of food he wanted me to treat him to for a birthday lunch. See, we live in such a small town that we have to travel to another small city just to go to Walmart. Ha!

He decided he wanted some Japanese, so off we went. After getting Jubal's first pair of K Swiss tennis shoes (I love K Swiss! They're so clean & neat. Also, he's outgrowing his little walking shoes.), and going to Walmart for a few things, we went to the restaurant only to find out they're closed on Sundays. So, I looked up another Japanese steakhouse anywhere in the vicinity on my iPhone. Turns out, we ended up in a place I will call heaven.

It's called Golden Hibachi Buffet, and it has all-you-can-eat Japanese, Chinese, and sushi bar. You would wonder how they make any money at $9.99 a person, but if you saw how packed this place stayed the whole time we were there, you can only imagine how much money they make daily. Delicious!!!

Jubal enjoyed some rice & shrimp sauce, some boiled shrimp, and ice cream. He tried a little of everything. I'm pretty sure his favorite was the ice cream, though. He really enjoyed seeing the chef cook the Japanese food.

Larson had to work Monday and it's my day to get to spend with my sweet boy. We played, I did laundry & picked up around the house, we napped, and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He wanted to go outside, but it's been rainy here and the temp was in the 90's, so it was like a sauna outside. I didn't want to take him (or myself, ha!) out in that kind of weather, especially since we've put his pool up for Fall.

I made Larson a wonderful, home-cooked birthday dinner since I knew I wouldn't be able to on Tuesday because we get in so late in the evening from work. He had country-fried pork chops, stewed tomatoes & rice, collard greens, and biscuits. Yeah, that's what's for dinner! :)

You should have seen Jubal eating greens. He loved them! He didn't even want anymore rice & tomatoes or pork chop. We were surprised but happy. I'm glad he likes different foods.

So, now it's Tuesday and officially Larson's birthday. He doesn't know it yet, but I found a cake I really, really liked for him. My awesome niece, Lacy, was able to make it happen for me! He's going to be so surprised. He has no idea I'm even getting him a cake.

How about that for a cake?! Isn't it fabulous?! Lacy did such an excellent job! Larson loves steak, but especially a thick, juicy T-bone. Larson could very well be a connoisseur of steaks, he eats so many. Ha! Really, though, he has great taste when it comes to different types of steak. I just thought this would be a fun cake for him. :)

Well, that about wraps up our weekend. It would be nice to only work two days a week and be off five, with the same pay, but we all know that's not going to happen. We made the best of our little time together, though.

Now, I can't wait to get home this evening and pick up our boy from his new "big boy" class. They moved him up at daycare this week to the older classroom. All last week they were putting him in there in the afternoons to see how he would do and he really seemed to like it. I think the transition is probably going to be harder on me than him anyway. Ha!

We'll celebrate his daddy's birthday & his promotion from the baby room to the toddler's class with some cake & ice cream. Yummy! I'll try to remember to take some pictures. ;)

Coming Home

Jubal stays at my mama's house on Wednesdays and Fridays. I always love coming home from work to pick him up from her house on those days. My mama can tell him we're pulling up and he will run to the front door to greet us.

It's the sweetest thing to pull up and see him waiting at the door with a big ol' smile on his face, pounding on the door, excited his mama & daddy are finally off of work and there to get him.



It's the best feeling in the world to know he looks forward to our return every day. I wish we could do it everyday, but he goes to daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's always nice to see him smile when we pick him up from there, too, but we don't get to see him at the door at daycare.

Some days when we get to my mama's to get him he's curled up in his mammaw's arms sleeping. It is a precious sight. I'm so glad my mama is still here with us so she can be a part of Jubal's life. We sure do miss Pappaw.

I'm so thankful I get to be with my boy Saturday, Sunday, & Monday. I get him all to myself on Mondays, usually, too. Time passes so quickly and I enjoy spending every minute I can with him.



I can't thank God enough for my little family, but I'll spend whatever time I have left in this world trying. 



Jubal's First Haircut

I wanted to post a few pictures of the day before Jubal's first haircut for comparison, but also to add some pictures of his cousin, Lucee's birthday party we attended on Sunday, 9/11.

Jubal was so funny when we first arrived. There were so many little girls his size running all over the place and I"m not sure he knew what to think. Ha! At first, he wouldn't let go of his daddy. He either had his hand or the hem of his shorts. After observing for about 15 minutes, he finally took a few steps away. Once he realized it was pretty safe, and "Hey! I can run around without Mommy or Daddy scooping me up!", he was making his rounds.

He traumatized the girls! They had a "No Boys Allowed" hideout under the cake table and Jubal wanted in on the action. He busted right up under the tablecloth on them! The girls all started squealing, "No boys allowed!" It was too cute.

This is probably my favorite picture from the party.

My cousin, Sherry takes the most beautiful pics of Jubal.

I want her camera! :)

I also took a few iPhone pics of my little man when he first woke up the morning he turned fourteen months old. He's so precious when he first wakes up. He has a sleepy little smile that melts my heart.

You can see how long my baby boy's hair had gotten. I still wasn't really ready to cut it, but it was getting a little out of control, especially in the back.

Sooo...

Moving on to Jubal's first haircut.

BEFORE...

A long-time friend of ours, Rachel, gave him his first haircut.

We initially tried to sit him in the chair, but I ended up getting these pictures and then having to sit with him in my lap to let her cut it. He wasn't very keen on her using the scissors around his ears. Ha!

...and AFTER

My handsome baby boy is now a dashing little man!

Rachel did exactly what I asked and I love how it turned out! We had actually tried to get it cut the weekend before at one of the Walmart style shops, only because they're open on Sundays and Larson wanted to be there, too.

The girl there only wanted to use clippers.

Yeah right! I wasn't going to let her scalp my baby. Ha!

Jubal wasn't going for that anyway. 

As soon as he heard them, he started screaming & crying.

 We'll probably have to get it cut once a month now because I swear just since Monday it's thickened up sooo much.

I am proud of how it looks now, though. He's such a cutie!

My little boy is growing up.

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

Fourteen Months

Jubal Talon,

Where do I even begin?

You are transforming into a little man right before my eyes, yet it is still so hard to believe. You have been trying to do so many new things for awhile, and now you're finally able to do them all well.

My newborn has now become my toddler. How bittersweet. I sit here with tears in my eyes, yet a prideful smile on my face. You do make me so proud to be your mommy, sweet boy.

Your vocabulary seems to have expanded overnight. You say just about anything you hear. Your pronunciation isn't the best, of course, but we understand you. Your newest word is "dog". I know I'll leave some out, but I'll try to list things you say:

Hey, hello (with a phone to your ear, pronounced "Low"), Mama, Dada, Lannah (your cousin), bye bye (you're still learning to wave), Boz (our Chihuahua), no, thank you, welcome, please, want, baby, and dog. Those are ones you say freely, but you will say just about anything we ask you to.

You love music. Anytime there's a rhythm, you're dancing. We love watching you clap & dance. You always look at us to make sure we're watching you, too. You're such an entertainer!

You are still such a happy boy! I thank God for that. I feel like He surely blessed us because we waited so long, faithfully, for you. You have always been happy. You wake up with a smile on your face and smile at me when I sing you to sleep at night.

I love how you are so observant when you first enter a new scene. You will sit back & watch everything and everybody until you feel comfortable straying a few steps from your daddy or me.

Your favorite programs to watch are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Wonder Pets, The Backyardigans, Go Diego, Bubble Guppies, and any game show, especially Wheel of Fortune. I think you like the sounds of excitement on the game shows.

You love this horse. It plays Old McDonald and you dance to it, too. It was Alannah's when she was little. She brought it to Mammaw's for you to play with.

You love to play with any kind of ball. Football, baseball, tennis ball, soccer ball, golf ball, it doesn't matter. We are hoping that you will be athletic. Your daddy loves sports, especially football & baseball. He loved playing baseball. My favorite sport has always been softball. Even when I didn't play, I enjoyed keeping the books & scoreboard.

You want to stay in water. If we let you outside, we have to make sure you don't go dive head first into your little swimming pool. If we don't let you at least splash your hands in it, then you get very upset.

This past Sunday morning, we took you outside with us to sit out back on the deck and it wasn't long until you were soaked, so we took your diaper off and let you just get in. After you were finished playing in the pool, you wanted to run around the yard...butt naked!

You are still on the small side. You're short-legged like your daddy, bless your heart. You only weigh 21 lbs. Your clothes are all size 12 month now, at least. Your shorts are a little long on you, though. You're still the most handsome fella ever to your mama. ;)

You eat anything, and I do mean anything. We haven't really found anything you didn't like. You especially like anything with cheese. Cheese toast, grilled cheese sandwich, cheetos, cheese grits, cheese eggs, broccoli & cheese, squash casserole, etc. I'm so proud that you like all veggies, too.

You love the vacuum. You will even go to the closet that we keep it in and practically beg us to get it out. We vacumm several times a week, sometimes several times a day. I think you like making messes so we will vacuum again. Ha!

You still only have six teeth. You have the most beautiful smile, though. Your pediatrician isn't worried about it. He says they'll come when they're supposed to.

You wear a size 4 wide shoe. Your sandals are size 3 and slightly too big. You don't like sandals, though. If we put them on you, you take them off. I think you prefer to be barefoot like your mama. Your daddy, too, for that matter. :)

We took you to get your first haircut on your 14 mth. birthday. That's another post, though.

There's so much more that I'm sure I'm leaving out. I always do. I want to write down everything so I don't forget. You can bet that even if it doesn't get written down, it will forever be tucked away inside my heart. Everything you do is special. YOU are special.

I want you to know that you are so loved by two people who love each other very much, as well. We weathered many storms before you came along and that only made us stronger. We want to teach you the true value of family. God willing, we will always be able to provide a secure, stable home for you.

I love you, sweet angel. You are still and always will be my greatest blessing from God.

Love,

Mommy

Trophy Blogs

I've never linked up with Kelly (who is also a fav!)before, but I do have some blogs that I love to read & this week her "Show Us Your Life" series is about favorite blogs.

So, here are a few of mine. :)



Kelle Hampton is probably my most favorite. I love how she brings you right into the middle of her world when she writes. She is so passionate about everything she writes about. She has a beautiful family, and I just adore sweet Nella. She also has some fabulous giveaways. ;)

I have enjoyed reading Megan's blog since I stumbled upon it back in October of last year. Her story of loss brought many tears to my eyes. However, even though her journey of healing is still in progress, she has two beautiful reasons to smile again.

When I first began blogging, Sarah was a huge help. She has helpful tips for your blog and also posts several DIY projects. She is so crafty. She & her husband faced some infertility issues and never thought they would have children of their own. When adoption seemed like the only way, God showed them He still had a few surprises in store for them. Manny is just so stinkin' cute!!!

And last, but certainly not least, Tahnie was not supposed to live past her 10th birthday. She has a very rare disease called Cystinosis. Battling against the odds, she is now 28 & has her very own walking, talking miracle!



Let me just say that these are only a few of my favorites. Please see my sidebar for a list of them all. I enjoy reading each and every one of them every day. They are inspirational, heartfelt words of women I've never met, yet feel like I've known forever. I hope you enjoy them.

And what kind of mommy would I be if I didn't post a pic of my favorite little guy?!? ;)

Happy Friday, Y'all!!!