Free to Roam...or Ruin

So we finally packed up the exersaucer and jumperoo - our last official reminders of babydom. Hunter has actually shown zero interest in either of these for quite a while now, but I've kept them out, clinging onto his babyhood. Hunter had some good times in those contraptions...

But he is so over it now. He has way more important things to do like schedule his playdates and appointments...

And we can't forget his favorite pasttime - attempting to destroy the house....

Notice the pictures stop here because I had to drop the camera and get in my defensive squat in order to start blocking all of the plastic kitchen utensils that were about to fly at my head. I've given up hope for having scratch free floors. My floors are TORN UP from all of the junk Hunter throws around as hard as he possibly can. I can only imagine the sports dreams that are racing through James's head everyday as Hunter hurls things into the ground. No sports dreams here in my head though. And no dreams of smooth, shiny floors either. Oh the sacrfices I make for that sweet baby...I mean toddler:)

Stupid America

Can we please talk about what kind of crack all of America must have been smokin last night? My favorite American Idol from like all 700 seasons was kicked off tonight. I've said from the beginning that she's the only one in American Idol history that I'd buy a ticket to go see. But now there will be no concert because she's gone. And I'm feeling lots of guilt because I had to tivo AI and didn't get to vote. There. I said it. I didn't vote y'all. It's all my fault. Carly's gone and it's all. my. fault. I'm sad. I'm sticking my bottom lip out right now. So so sad. I feel like this...only with less cuteness...and minus the happy smirk.

Carly, if you're reading this, I love you! I'll totally be the president of your fan club! Please don't stop singing! Don't deny us your talent!

I'm going to go lay in bed and pout now. Or maybe even cry.

Work, Play, Sleep and Sleep and Sleep

We spent a good part of the day on Saturday trying to fix our pitiful yard. I can't wait for the front flowers to go ahead and die so I can get rid of that part of the flower beds and just have a small area to work with. James broke the shovel trying to dig up this treebush thingy, and I totally pulled the muscle in my arm AGAIN from pulling weeds. (Learn a lesson from my mistake, listen to your inner voice. When something inside is telling you over and over that you're not an outside person and you should go inside where sweating doesn't occur, listen. That would be the smart thing to do.) I am taking this injury as a sign that I'm not meant for any kind of manual labor. The Lord just didn't make me that way. At least Hunter had fun...although you can't really see it in this picture. He sure is cute though, isn't he?

Since we worked so hard in the sun yesterday, we were totally lazy today. After church Hunter took a 2 1/2 hour nap...and so did James and I. Then 2 1/2 hours later, Hunter took another 1 1/2 hour nap...and so did James and I. I think I'm going to be paying tonight when I can't fall asleep.

In between our naps, we put in one of Hunter's Baby Einstein dvds. He's never been interested in tv (except the intro song to Sesame St and then Elmo's part of Sesame St 45 minutes later), but today we thought we'd give it another try. Hunter sat just long enough for me to get this picture...

Again, aren't they so cute?!

On a totally unrelated note, Hunter started using the big bath about 3 weeks ago and he LOVES it. We had tried the big bath 2 other times and the kid freaked. ear.piercing.screams y'all. He did not like it, and he let us know. I'm sure the neighbors considered calling CPS. He's over it now though. I took video of the first big boy bath but I'm not smart enough to figure out how to save videos from my camcorder onto my computer, so I had to settle on some pictures from tonight's bath...

Notice the do. He needs a hair cut bad, but I'm totally nervous to do it, and I can't bring myself to pay the kid haircutting place $15 (yes, FIFTEEN DOLLARS) for two little snips.

Y'all have a great week!

Like meet me after 1st period...and don't forget the Clearasil

So it turns out that hormones will rage when the breastfeeding stops. My skin is convinced that I'm back in 7th grade again. Send me some acne cream and I'll be your BFF, and I'll write LYLAS at the end of all of the many thank you notes I'll be sending your way. And you better believe I will fold them in really awesome ways...oh yes I will.

100

This is my 100th post since I started letting y'all into my head. I was looking back over all of the things that have happened over the past year, and was amazed at how much God has blessed my family. I feel overwhelmed to have so many people out there loving and investing in us. I sent an email to many people with the link to this video, but for those of you who haven't seen it (or didn't watch it when I sent it to you because I know it is looooong), I wanted to put it here. I know it's hard to find 5 free minutes, but if you take the time to watch it ALL the way through, it will change you. I think this video does an amazing job of reminding us of the person of Christ - what He's done for us and how He will continue to love us regardless of how wretched we are...

(TURN DOWN the music I have going on my blog by clicking the pause button before watching this. You can get to the music by scrolling down and looking on the right.)

Happy (belated) Birthday Aunt Courtney!

My sister's birthday was this past Friday, so on Saturday we all went bowling to celebrate. (I really can't believe that Court is 23! SO crazy!) I haven't been bowling in about 5 years and James hasn't been since middle school - that's 20 years people (man, my husband is o-o-old.) I think we did pretty good considering how long it's been. I'm debating whether I should make this a monthly routine just for the arm workout (my arm is still sore). That would be 12 more times a year than my arms are getting worked out now. And it's fun, so why not?

As always, I tried to document each step of the day. I did forget a picture of the guest of honor, though. Sorry Court! Unfortunately, about 12 months ago I became one of those annoying women who only takes pictures of her kid.

Here we are before the games began. You can tell Hunter is really excited...

This was Hunter for the majority of the time we were at the bowling alley. Maybe the nasty stank of smoke filled carpet was more than he could handle...

He quickly cheered up when I set him down and he found his paci (the paci is definitely Hunter's favorite thing...probably more than food...or sleep...or even me)...

He checked out the bowling ball and was pretty intrigued (oh! there's aunt courtney's profile in the background! good. see. i still take pictures of other humans that were not once in my womb. not annoying at all i tell you. not.at.all.)...

Uncle Anson lured Hunter out to attempt to bowl...

But he quickly turned back because the bowling ball was seriously too heavy for him. In the end, cousin Zack found one that was just his size, though!

If you think breastfeeding is oogy, don't read this post.

Yes, I will be discussing my boobs here. Consider that your warning. Read on at your own risk.

Those of you that know me well, know the concerns that I had with breastfeeding before Hunter was born. Okay, okay, so those of you that had a conversation with me lasting longer than 2 minutes anytime during my pregnancy know the concerns that I had with breastfeeding. Who am I kidding?

Anyway, I was terrified and grossed out and had no desire to participate in this oogy breastfeeding business. But I was going to try it for two reasons:

1. it's cheap.

2. what? i'll lose weight in a manner that doesn't involve sweating? Sign me up!

So I did it, and although it was really awkward at first, it didn't take long for things to just work out. I was lucky. Hunter didn't struggle or refuse or have any problems. I thought since I was going back to work that I would dry up or end up stopping way before he turned one. Somehow, though, we made it all the way to today.

After Hunter's birthday I started weaning him down, but just couldn't drop that last nighttime feed. Every night, I'd bring the boppy in the living room to feed him and he would get so excited just seeing that little pillow. So I kept putting it off, but it ends here. Tonight we had church, and I gave the nursery a bottle of milk and just put him down to bed when we got home. I'm not really feeling sad like I thought I would, and something tells me this isn't really going to affect Hunter one way or the other. If that kid gets thrown into fits of hysteria just by mommy or daddy turning around in the car and saying "ooh ooh ooh" surely this isn't going to phase him.

My Play Hut by Hunter Brooks

Today my mommy and I "played" in the backyard. And by play, I mean she forced me to crawl through this tunnel and touch the hard prickly grass. Since she is such a picture taking fool, I have plenty of pictures to narrate my story for you.

After mommy set up my tent, she went all the way to the other end and started banging the ground trying to get me to crawl to her. I looked at her,

and I looked down at the hard grass,
and I felt very sad that she was going to make me crawl through to her.
But then I saw that she had laid a blanket down for me, so I decided to stop the tantrum and go for it.
I was soon filled with regret for my choice when I felt just how prickly that grass was.
But when I reached the blanket I was totally happy again. Because I am one. And one year olds can be very moody about things like this. Especially one year olds named Hunter. Or so my mom says.

Then I reached MORE GRASS. Come on mommy. Give me a break!

Getting closer to mommy...
And closer...
Until finally I reached her and pulled up to hug her TIGHTLY!

I LOVE hugs!

Mommy was trying to get the perfect shot of us, but she wasn't having much luck.

She finally realized that she wasn't going to master the perfect angle while holding all 20 pounds and 13 ounces of me in one arm and the camera in the other.

I'm such a cuddly baby. Fickle and moody, but cuddly.

I cover too many topics in this post to think up an all inclusive catchy title to put here.

We turned Hunter's carseat around on Sunday to be forward facing. I was expecting him to shout for joy or break out in song and dance or at least crack a smile. I got nothin' from that kid. Not even a grin.

(Stupid red eye reducer. Y'all know he's not really cross eyed. Does anyone want to buy me a new camera for my birthday? July 3rd. You can hand deliver it or just mail it to our house. Thanks in advance.)

Hunter's been awesome at entertaining himself in the mornings the last several days. He just crawls into his bedroom or the living room and plays while I get ready. This is a HUGE change from the days of screaming at me or throwing his paci in the trash/toilet/shower floor and grunting or grabbing at my pant legs (or just my skin when no pants are available) so that I would give him some attention already! He doesn't do as well in the afternoon yet, but I get that it's baby steps. I'll take what I have - you get what you get and you don't throw a fit, right? I am thankful. I will not complain. I am thankful. I will not complain. Repeating in my head x 20.

We do love the weather, though. That's making things in the afternoons easier. Hunter's been itching to get outside...

He'll even sit in our laps on the new patio furniture for like 5 whole minutes. That must be a record for healthy 1 year olds.

Here Hunter's singing his favorite song, the itsy bitsy spider, with mommy. I could seriously sing that song ALL DAY LONG and the kid would not grow weary of it.