Hi Kids. Well the past few months have gone so fast. I've spent them moving and job hunting. Amongst a few other things. Someone I know re-enlisted AND is NOT deploying anytime soon! Two fist bumps for that!

 I swear being back in the homeland has been trying to kill me though. Since I was back I had the flu, a "lady sort" of infection, followed by a rash that made me look like I was a lepor, and another lingering cold, followed by another lingering cold. At least I'm not suffering from 3 months of anxiety and depression and pseudo-diabetes I guess? If you read the previous entry you'll know what I mean.

I've been growing accustomed to this stay-at-home-mom thing and I am already missing my baby boy at the thought of leaving him again. But I've done this before. I do miss working, I miss my career. I also need to pay off student loans. :p You Mom's who are able to stay at home with your kids are blessed. You don't have a job, you have a blessing or two, three, four, and so on...

I've had a bunch of interviews, some I wasn't really interested in and maybe they could sense it? I'm holding out for the perfect one, because I know it's out there. I know what I can do and what I'm worth. As an Army Spouse it's hard with all the moving around and in some places there just aren't jobs available to the educated spouses, and it gets frustrating. I also believe that God has a wonderful plan for me, so if I was being rejected, it was because he was saving me from something that was not going to be spectacular. Because I'm great at what I do! I am using my free time to practice tutorials and educate myself even more. My time off has taught me to get so sick of myself being lazy, so there is no possible way I could be lazy at this new amazing job that is on my horizon.

I had two interviews in the past two days, both went really well. I think the first one was a bit nutty, as the guy who needs employees is a nut about work. He's a work-a-holic and admits he's crazy about work and he loses sleep over it. That's great and all, he's definitely successful. Kudos to him, ya know? I know I can do the job, I think I'd be great at it, but I openly admitted that I DO have urgency about my work and I DO care, I do work hard, but I can't loose sleep over it because my body will become literally ill, and I'll miss work due to sick days. I felt I could be open to him like that because he was blunt about a lot of things himself, which I appreciate. It's good to be honest! I think if you can already connect to a potential employer and even have some small talk on topics of common interest or experience, that's a big factor as to whether or not one can land the position, on top of experience and talent and reliability and what not. The main thing I didn't enjoy was that they didn't play music in their shop!! *cringe*

Then I had an interview yesterday at a place which supports Audiologists and doctors who take care of the ears (or something like that, I'll learn more when I'm hired), and people who need to buy hearing aids. I thought it would be boring when I first learned of the company name, but that shows you should never judge by first impression all the time! When I interviewed I thought I'd really want it. I loved the two people I interviewed with and from what they told me I think it sounds like a great company with great leaders/owners. I was told they want to bring me in for a 2nd interview. So I'm sitting and waiting on my phone call!

Today I'm grateful for a day off from interviews. They were kind of exhausting, since they were early in the morning and I had to fight the toddler to get dressed, get out of the house and enter Craig's grandmother's house. He ended up having a great time there of course, but he screams and misbehaves for me at first because that's how he rolls. He's for sale if anyone is interested :p We've been snuggling on the couch, and when that happens I get lazy and drowzy and feel like I need to sleep. So I had to get another cup of coffee to get my butt up and get my chores done.

I've been drawing more and trying to get my mojo back in that department. It's going well, but slow. I can't exactly draw a lot with a toddler awake who will want to join me.. who can blame him? But I have to switch pages so he doesn't scribble all over my DRAW-RINGS!

I have I mentioned I can't wait to get a job? so I can buy craft supplies and sell my creations! Then I'll have TWO jobs! Things will get better. They just have to!

I have to get making my breakfast. I've been eating a bit cleaner, and it's really helped in the tummy department. I look flatter and I'm feeling less squishy. It's mostly in what you eat, and if you stick with it you notice a difference in a week or so. Not a HUGE difference but you'll see how it changes within each week. If I try to indulge in even HALF of a donut my body hates it and gets upset and causes me to push out some manly farts and my stomach looks like I'm 3 months prego. Sometimes the upset is something even grosser. So hopefully I can keep that in mind and stick to healthy foods only.

TRUE STORY!

Bromley Eurotrip - Our 5-year-long Honeymoon (or something like that)

Well this sure has been a quick past five years. Before I start from the begining I have to take you through last summer. Last year at this time, I could not wait to get out of here, more than anything all I wanted to do was sleep until it was time to go back to the States. We had fulfilled our three year contract in Germany but we signed on for another three for many reasons. Lesson learned, When you're in a military family, I don't really recommend doing that, unless you're by family--especially if you have children. After a GREAT 3 years in this part of Bavaria, I suddenly had the turn of a lifetime into a twilight zone that I thought was going to bring me down. About a month after my husband returned from his 3rd deployment, A random outburst of Anxiety and Depression that would last an entire two months, felt like an eternity. No one could figure out what was wrong with me, or why it hit so hard, so random, and for so long. To make a long story short I got diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes as a result, because I hadn't eaten properly due to the mental condition that was tormenting my soul. I sought help everywhere possible, I got back on medication to treat the condition (I've been on and off because this does run in the family, but never has it been this bad). I saw therapists, I talked to family and friends every single day, sometimes more than once. I even went to the hospital, when I actually didn't really need to--I was just hoping I'd collapse so people around me would have no choice but to admit me, so I could get some sleep--and some valium. LOL! I prayed, and prayed and prayed. I went out on my patio almost every day, or if I was at work it couldn't even be held in, I cried, groaned and wore out my entire being, asking God what was happening to me. I'm quite sure the most random of people saw me in tears because there was no possibility of me ever holding it back. Kind of embarrassing but hey, it wasn't happening so I just let it flow! Panic attacks in the middle of the night, no sleep, constant sickness, not eating right, was NOT the kind of condition I wanted to be in to take care of my son who needs me at my best, every single day, and my husband too. He was confused, my family across the ocean were worried, and doctors thought I was anorexic. No, I just wanted whatever this is to go away and it wasn't, so it made me more nervous and as a result, I ate less. An entire 8 weeks into taking my medication, I finally felt better. I ate better again, and was able to finally rest. I was able to enjoy my surroundings again and performed better at work and be a better mother and wife. But man, was that bizarre! Turns out I DO NOT have diabetes Praise God! It made no sense for me to have it, nothing added up, except the fact that my lack of eating caused my blood sugars to spike because when we don't eat, our body compensates by producing more sugar. I was given a much better doctor after a huge debacle with the one who mis-diagnosed me, and I'll spare those details. This new Dr. sent me to get a 3rd opinion in the German economy and he found me to not be diabetic. Phew! The only explanation for any of that, I figured, was that the Lord wanted me close to him again. It has to be that because it was the weirdest, scariest time of my life and I can't imagine ever having to go through it again, I pray and pray still, that I never have to endure it. It was awful. I was outside of myself, I was not me. And even now, he's still tugging at me every day, reminding me of what he brought me through. I've still go such a long way to go. I never take a day for granted, I praise him for giving me life, health, my family and friends. Every single day that goes by where I don't feel like I did in the summer of 2011, I am so grateful. Sure the medication worked, but God created the people, with the brains to create such things, and until my body is perfect like his one day, I will need those medications that he's so readily provided for our temporary, imperfect bodies. So now to this day, I am back to being thankful, and savoring every day. I definitely grew here. I've experienced so many amazing things that I would never have if it weren't for my husband, for the Army. Thank God he led me in this way. As he created me an artist, so he allowed me to see the things where the profession all began. Back to the beginning, in the shortest of words possible: I arrived in this foreign land not knowing what was ahead. All I knew was that me and my husband were going to have a LONG honeymoon that we never had otherwise. Unfortunately he had to be deployed to Iraq 3 months after we arrived here. That was my 2nd experience with the deployment, but alone in another country. No big deal, I had this! I visited Berlin!

The Brandenburg Gate

When he came home on R&R we went to Italy for the first time, Lago Di Como to be specific, talk about a breath-taking view! and Milan:

Piazza Del Duomo--Art History class in front of my face, and it didn't stop there! I was blessed with a visit from my Dad and Step-Mother, where we got to see the Castle that Walt Disney was inspired by:

Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps! No Big Deal. And we had an opportunity to visit a piece of history that impacted the entire world before we were even born:

Dachau Concentration Camp. A sobering experience for sure. I met this girl!! Have you ever clicked with someone within the first hour of meeting them?! We did!!

Here we're waiting for our husbands to come home from deployment! For our 2nd Anniversary we visited Rome.

where we ate things such as this:

We walked through the Sistine Chapel, where Michaelangelo painted the entire creation painting. You haven't lived until you've looked at the sistine chapel with your own eyes, in person. Amazing. It goes way beyond that powerful image of God bringing Adam to life with their fingers meeting each other... when you see it, you'll know each story happening and you'll know the sequence, if you have read it in the Bible. It's awesome, it tells the whole book of Genesis pretty much, just in pictures. GAH! Then me and the girl I pictured above, we went to see these guys in Frankfurt:

Childhood dream! One of the best days of my life!! HAHAHA! We totally DID ride a Gondola through Venice!

Guess who was two months pregnant in this picture?! And then Paris. Oh my Word, Paris...

Then we saw this guy at Festival in Belgium, where no one really knew of him that well. Ha!

More King Ludwig Castle visits

I even rode a cable car while 13 weeks pregnant, up to the highest peak in the Bavarian Alps, called the Zugspitze!

It was 32 degrees at the top, in July!! I was blessed to have one of my best friends Kristen and her boyfriend Jeremy to come visit me and do this trek with me! Then in the winter of 2010, February 1st to be exact, I fell in love for the first time, all over again.

Christopher James Bromley was born here! The littlest love of my life, the best thing to ever happen to me! And he grew...

This is him at the Schwimmbad, German word for Swimming Pool! I had a pregnant buddy while I was here, too. Our sons were born 3 weeks apart! She happened to work with me, and also enjoyed discussing things that are usually Too Much Information for most people. My kind of friend! ;p

And me and little CB kept waiting for Daddy to come home from his 3rd deployment

When he came home for this R&R we went to Ireland!

Cliffs of Moher. Absolutely breath-taking. I've never in my life seen anything like it. All the Irish people, were by far the nicest people I have ever met. We went to the German Christmas markets, like we did every winter. Something I'm going to miss, something awful. This is just ONE shot of all the things available there and the prettiness that adds to the joy of the Christmas season.

I'll miss the lights, and the Gluhwein. The brats and the brotchen. Germany is cool!! The boy kept growing...

and growing...

Daddy's home, safe and sound! Thank You Jesus!!

Great, people. Good kids they are.

Hot Husband

There's that growing again. Is he seriously mine?

This is at the Schwimmbad again (it was a two minute walk from our apartment) the following year from the first pic I showed of him at the schwimmbad! Canary Islands, Can we go back?!?!

Hot Husband in Canary Islands <3

The Bavarian Alps were only a 3 hour drive away!

Christmas Market in Rothenburg. By far one of the cutest Bavarian towns I've been to.

There's those delicious BRATS again (and the hot hubby)!

Bavaria has the coolest little OLD churches. They fascinate me.

and hiking trails, everywhere!

We were not far at all from Prague, Czech Republic!

The historical Charles Bridge, in Prague. Covered with vendors and photo ops! The field behind our house.

Got to see these guys too, a fun blast from the past!

My girl Claudia, one of the sweetest people I have EVER had the pleasure of knowing!

And here is that growing boy, swinging at the playground of our hotel, where we're waiting to leave for our flight back home.

He's two-and-a-half now. It's time to go get to know all his grand parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends! I'm going to miss the food here, the beer, the window shades that are installed on the OUTSIDE to block out all things whenever you want them to, my coworkers, it's been so wonderful to be blessed with such cool people to be around, when you have to be with them for most of your days. It's been a wonderful opportunity to work where I have... but it's time to move on and upgrade, if that's possible in this economy, but I'm certain God will work it out, just like he did when I got here, and THIS job fell in my lap. :D I'm going to miss Christmas Markets, Festivals, Oktoberfest, Munchen, Amberg, Cobblestone streets... German Chocolate, and so on. Not everyone can say they got to live in Europe on the Army's dime. I have been blessed, but now I'm blessed even more because it's time to go HOME!! I'd love to stay, it's been wonderful but it's just TIME. My Son will want to see where he was born I'm sure, and since you never know what can happen in the military life, we could be back for a number of reasons... but I'm sure we'll be back.

Now this I can drink.

Thanks to my BBB Jillian Deuel, who introduced me to Dr. Oz's Sleep Slim Smoothie.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/sleep-doctor-sleep-slim-smoothie

I finally found a smoothie that I like that I have pinned to my "My Eat" Pinterest board (My eat is what Christopher says when he means "My Food" It's cute).

I hear that tart cherry juice is ridiculously expensive in the states. I found it at the Edeka (German grocery store) Getrenkemarkt (drink store) for only 2 euros. So I have no idea if it's as healthy as the one in the states but OF COURSE it was not located at the commissary, and I HAD to have this smoothie. If you see and read it's health benefits you'll know why--plus it may just curb my cravings for the Chocolate Oreo ice cream that my husband likes to buy, and not touch, leaving me to do all the eating... I don't have time for that by the time my smoothie is done, so it works perfect.

Jill says she's been sleeping great since she's been drinking it. I know everyone is different but if you know me, you know that sleep doesn't come easy EVERY night, like my husband and son who are out and snoring within 20 minutes or less--so I'm all sorts of jazzed to try this!

My submersion blender is a miracle, I can't believe I haven't gotten one sooner! I do believe that Jesus created the submersion blender and sent them out to all the world to bring clean and convenient blending to all his children. This thing will change your life! You just have to fill your (tall) cup with all the ingredients and just stick this thing down in the cup and turn it on and everything turns to beautiful pureed mush. The contents of your cup don't even splatter out everywhere! Then all you do is hold it under the faucet with hot water running, and it's all clean! That's my kind of appliance!

Wow. You know you're an old lady when you make posts like this one.

So what I'm saying is....

I was very disappointed today when I tried on some beautiful baby blue skinnies at H&M and found a small muffin top! they were a size EIGHT in US. They had to have been jeggings, because even though I'm not as small as I used to be (which I'm mainly happy about, except for the mid-section) I'm definitely not an eight. Nothing is bad about an eight, but I'm not one. I'm not a zero either--thank GOD! My best friend and step-mom tell me that I probably have some haters for thinking this way, I'm not sure what anyone should hate since I'm about as self-conscious as everyone else may be... and I can't help but be obsessive.

I just don't have a toned belly anymore! When you grow up not having to watch what you eat, ever, and you were once called and S.L.R. (Skinny Little Rat--don't worry, it's funny) you are married to a man who can eat taco bell and hamburger helper all day long every day and only gain weight in muscle, I die a little inside when I realize that I actually have to work out and watch what I eat now. It's super frustrating as well because I can't completely avoid fat and sweets because then I'll get skinnier everywhere else, and I only want it to go away from the mid-section. I'll admit, it's not even that bad... but when the former SLR gets a muffin top when trying on jeans, there's a problem!

Currently I only have time during the day to do calf raises, a couple of arm exercises which consists of lifting my son up and down to help him jump to the tune "3 Little Monkeys" or whichever number you decide to start with. I start with 3 because my arms get tired easy. I haven't been able to keep up with yoga because my Army Man's job has him either at work late, or in the field. At home, it's dinner, cleaning, baby boy, baths for all and bed. I'm thinking it may be easier for me when we move home in a couple months--then I'll have babysitters and can actually go to a gym! We'll see...

So the muffin top issue allowed me to save money so that worked well. I only picked up a few layering pieces because you can never have too many. See, me and my hubby went to a casino with some friends on Saturday night, and I won 100 euros. I kept my playing small because I am a beginner, and I wanted to make sure I had some shopping money, and I did. I even have some leftover! But man, this casino includes a free buffet and guess who ate like a whale that night? This girl!

As I was driving back to finish more errands and eventually go back to work, I saw a truck that had in big letters, the word SCHART on the front. That was funny--because I'm five. Then I remembered that most of my efforts to a flat belly consist of inducing bowel movements. Yeah, poop talk is awesome and NOT "Too Much Information" for me. So I try to take stuff for it, I drink really strong coffee, which only works some of the time. I drink way more water than I have in the past so I will admit, I don't feel as bloated as I usually do. When it gets really bad I resort to drinking a "Smooth Move" it's a laxative tea, for those who are unfamiliar. There are days when my tummy looks pretty good--but they are few and far between. I don't get how it fluctuates so much. I have been eating healthy most days, nothing but Quinoa, avocado, beans, peas, peppers, cuccumbers, chicken, fish, and all things healthy and yummy. Eggs for breakfast with fresh fruit, almonds on my snacks... but then the casino happened. Then my son didn't want his donut for breakfast, my coworker makes these amazing cookies and brings in more every single day!

AND THEN... the lady at the gas station gives me FREE Reeses Peanut Butter cups. The whole PX and the Shoppette are trying to get rid of these reeses and I don't understand what they are trying to do to me!

I even had a conversation with a coworker today about the Dependapotomi around these places and how they need to represent their men a little better. We got on the discussion of processed food and how i'll only give certain things to Christopher. But then I go ahead and make a frozen, chinese dinner with egg rolls tonight!! My excuse is that "it won't get THAT big, you'll be skinny forever" and while that may be so... muffin tops in a size 8 for the SKINNY LITTLE RAT... you know the rest.

I do own a pair of spanx. Just one.

The weight gain has me all sorts of jazzed about how stickly my legs DO NOT look, as they did when I was 18 and below. I can't figure out if I just have underworked abs because of my HUGE baby, and I wasn't allowed to workout during my pregnancy for fear of Christopher just splattering out from underneath me--even though I had some shoelace thick, strings sewn up in my cervix to prevent that. I still had to take it easy. That sucked.... or my metabolism is dwindling due to entering my 30's or I need to really give it up with the sweets (which makes me incredibly angry during PMS season) so maybe it's all of the above.

I pray before I eat because that's what I do. I love Jesus and I'm thankful for my food, honestly. Sometimes I ask that the food I'm eating will not make my gut expand. Do you think Jesus is laughing at me or thinking I'm ridiculous? or maybe it will actually work after awhile???

SO yeah, I do not think I am overweight, I'm just not SYMMETRICAL! Please understand! :P

Speaking of babies, my two year old son has me in stitches most of the time because he's so bipolar. He's in such moods when he wakes up and after I put him in the car after picking him up from daycare. He's on this kick of saying "STOP MOMMY!" or "NNNOOOO!" and its like "oh no you really didn't just say that!" He did indeed. What's a mother to do? this is more new mommy stuff here that I'm clueless on. His hitting is getting a little better and then other than that, he's so funny and so sweet, and he LOVES helping around the house. He must be annoyed with me very often because all I want to do is kiss his face, and he's not always down with that as much as he used to be. He's only Two. How is he too cool for me sometimes, ALREADY?!

I really want a #2, and I want it to be a boy. I realize that if it's not a boy I'll love her anyway and we'll grow up to be besties, but I just really dig having boys. This little man of mine is SO FUN and I STILL cannot believe I have a child in my home that came from MY uterus. Ha! He's amazing!

Well, I'm off to have some papaya and water for my dessert.

P.S. Did I mention one of Christopher's daycare, carworkers asked me if I was pregnant!? So you know I'm NOT hallucinating!

Tschuss!

Reasons why I can't wait to move back to NY

1. More job options. Yes, despite the condition of our economy, it is NOT as bad as working here. I promise.
2. Target
3. My son will know his grandparents
4. I will have friends and family, NON-Army, only 3 hours away instead of an ocean. Of course I've met some fabulous army friends but they are few and far between, you know who you are, and you know it's refreshing to hang with someone who's not a cray army wife. :p I don't care if they "understand" or not. I don't need you to understand, just to listen from time to time, and not be nutty.
5. Bruegger's
6. Signs everywhere are in english.
7. Grocery store options
8. lots of radio and TV options besides AFN
9. Giants, Mets and Syracuse games will be on actual time, instead of 3 a.m. and my hubby can enjoy them and still take his turn waking up with the little man.
10. Panera Bread
11. My e-train will take place in real-time, keeping me sane at work. WIN!
12. Malls
13. Babysitters on weekends when I go home and hang with my NON-Army friends, and can go out LIKE AN ADULT. YAAAAY!!
14. Wolf's 311 and Koto's with the McGinnis's
15. I can maybe have child #2 in a non-barbaric setting
16. my church (on the weekends I can make it) and actual programs for my child to attend that he will enjoy!
17. My Dad can fix my car for free again like he used to, I'm quite sure he'll be willing to drive to me. ;)
18. Hopefully I can drive another 3 hours in another direction to get my hair did by my amazing cousin!
19. My own personal Yoga Instructor. ;)
20. Me and Hubby can go on more dates cuz we'll have BABYSITTERS!
21. Dinosaur BBQ--THE REAL ONE!
22. Wegman's - OH I CAN'T EVEN contain myself!
23. I can save some $ fairly quick to go visit my 2nd home AUSTIN TX!
24. Adirondack Mountains
25. NYC
26. people won't stare at me so much
27. I can also save some $ to visit TN to see our COLES!
28. The freaks at WalMart that like to steal bath towels at Midnight!
29. Christmas with family for the first time in FIVE years!
30. Places for my dog to run and play without anyone getting butt-hurt

Things I'm dazzled by today

I am thankful for a day off today. I got to make pancakes with my boys. Just a small downside is that I am SO special at making pancakes, I cannot understand why it is so hard for me! But they tasted just the same, but as you all may know by now, I am very picky as to how everything I do comes out, I like presentation. I'll get it one of these days.

I just had an amazing bathroom break, I feel much healthier. :p The whole time I had a guest with me saying "mommy doh pahyee" while emptying the band-aid box like it was the most fun he's ever had, followed by handing me small little bits of toilet paper as if he was helping me out big time. Well he was, just by giving me the laughs. As I was noticing the floors that needed some vacuuming done, he's rubbing my face with a nail buffer. I don't mind a bathroom guest every once in awhile, I'll miss these days someday.

Check out this gift I was given by my darling, beautiful friend Cristina. Just for no reason. I get so many compliments on it and I truly do walk around like I'm so much more awesome for having this cup!




Is that not the coolest thing you ever did see??

I'm off to go shopping, to do something for myself!

Happy President's Day!

I never planned on handling anyone else's boogers, I never had the power to heal a wound with my kisses, until you.

Dear sweet little man of mine,

I could have sworn you were infantile a couple of days ago. It doesn't seem like it's been two years since I was wrenching your Oma and/or your Daddy, screaming bloody murder in room full of barbarians who couldn't make the epidural work. And you were HUGE, why were you so huge? I didn't think you were cute at first. You resembled a baby sumo. You became cuter as the hours passed though. When Daddy held you for the first time, his face was the most delightful I've ever seen it. I'll never forget that.

I feel it was just yesterday I was sitting on the bed, holding you and feeding you and staying up until 3 a.m. with you while you screamed, watching 7th Heaven--because that was all there was on TV, every night at 11. You screamed from 10 p.m - 3 a.m. every other night. Your Daddy was in a month-long deployment training and Oma had to go back to New York. I was left alone with this creature who was apparently mine, although I didn't feel connected at all. I spent most of the time trying to figure out what to do with this thing, that I was too tired to be connected. I didn't know how anyone could possibly do this more than once. A lot of times I'll admit I wanted to put you in a basket on the porch and just go to sleep. But when you fell asleep on the front of me, tucked into your Baby Bjorn, I thought maybe I'd keep you a little longer.

You've been a little monster from the start. Angry when you're awake and it's not time to be (I don't blame you), grumpy when you're hungry, and you always want everything to be a specific way--you might get that from your Daddy. WHen you were in the Bjorn I couldn't sit down and eat, or use the computer. You needed me to be walking around or standing and swaying at all times. Now you still scream at me when you don't have your juice in a certain cup, or I try to take your jacket off for you, or God forbid I throw your diaper away for you when you would like to do it yourself. You are the funniest ever.

I can't believe that just two short years ago I was wondering what you'd be like as a toddler. You became one at some point when I wasn't looking and you are the biggest little love of my life. I can't figure out what I did to deserve becoming your Mommy. I mean, of all the people in the world to give this amazing, beautiful baby boy, God picked ME! He runs my cup overflowing every single day, giving me the gift of you to wake up to. Sure, sometimes I do miss sleeping until Noon, but because of you I am no longer one of those people that sleeps my day away.



I never thought I could EVER love a set of feet so much, but yours are by far the cutest I've ever seen. I'm obsessed with watching you eat, play with your toys and of course when you sleep. I am fascinated by watching you grow and learn so many things so fast. You are so smart, I am so proud of you already! I was so dazzled by seeing you pretend to fill a toy pan full of water in a toy sink, and proceed to put it on the toy stove, in your daycare room. How did you know that pans get filled with water and go on the stove? you surely aren't tall enough to witness it happening in our house, or are you? And since when did you get that perfect swing with your mini baseball bat? and that great arm you have when you throw a ball?

I love growing up with you all over again. You've helped me to appreciate the little things. You've helped me to get just a small glimpse of what God's love is like for all of us. No one can fathom the capacity of love that Jesus has for us, but since I've had you, I get it. I love you when you're happy, when you're being bad, I want to make everything better when you're sad, yet I know what's best for you and you're still learning patience just like I am. He loves us, and I love you like an artist loves their work, because you are my creation, indeed my best creation.





You are my whole heart. When Mommy was not feeling well all summer, my biggest fear was not being able to take care of you properly. Even if I had Daddy to help.

You are so silly. I'd like to think you get it from your Daddy and Me.




Your laugh and your Daddy's laugh are my most favorite sounds in the world. You have a lot of his traits. Even his beautiful blue eyes like I hoped you would.

Your random kisses throughout the day, are for sure my highlights of every day, And when I come pick you up at daycare, that's my favorite part of my Day too, especially when it's coming from work. Thank You for being such a resilient kid with daycare. Thank You also for saving all your "Firsts" for me. I didn't miss a thing with you, your first steps, your first word, you saved it for me!

I love you to the moon and back baby boy, and that's very, very far!

Happy 2nd Birthday my love.

Christopher Speak

I used to be that childless person who, when interacting with friends kids, would always have to ask the parent "what did he/she just say?" and they'd tell me and it would be something simple, like, "move over." but it would sound like "mooooo oooooooh" Now I am on the other side, being the parent that knows all the toddler lingo, and when I listen to my son talk I imagine what I would say to him if he wasn't my son: "I'm sorry, what?" I still do that with him of course, but not as much as I would if he wasn't mine.

It is seriously fascinating watching a child grow and learn to walk, then eventually talk. I thought Christopher wasn't going to talk. At 18 months when he was supposed to have about 50 words according to "the books" he only said "Dada" and pointed at everything while saying "ehh" It was cute, but really tiring after awhile, since his Dad and I don't speak "ehh." THEN ONE DAY he just started saying Ball, except his version was "Bowwww" but it was SO CUTE! Following that was "Bah, bah" for "Bye-bye" and "Mah-Moo" meant "more" and I'm not sure why. LOL at that! Then he started saying "Bsss" for BUS. Kind of how me and Jillian Deuel used to say certain things (ERN & DRN... sorry, only she will know what I'm talking about, if I explain, you'll just discontinue reading this). Then he said "doooon" for DOWN, Then "BOX" and he made a small little "rarr" for a Lion, and "oooh ahh-ahh" for a monkey. CUTEST THING EVER... UNTIL He said "Appooo" for Apple and then He eventually called me "MOM!" for the longest time, not "mommy" just "MOM!" with an exclamation point each time. THEN ONE DAY at daycare when I picked him up he came running to me yelling "MOMMMMIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!" Talk about a heart melter. Before that all happened, he caught onto "OOOOOOOOH NOOOO!"

Once he caught onto "NO" by itself. It was seriously adorable just to hear a small person version of "NO" After he quickly started understanding what to say NO to, it's not as cute. Good thing HE IS.

From there it's a blur, since he surprises me every single day with a new learned word. It's like he just got comfortable with a few small ones and then took off running, just like when he began to walk. ONE DAY he just started coming at me, out of the corner of my eye and I thought I was going to pass out of happiness! Ha!

I thought I'd provide a reference guide for anyone that see's him or will be seeing him soon, even on Skype, so you know what he's saying.

Buh-Boww = Football
Bah-Boww = Basketball
D-downn = Touch down
Dah Mooon = The Moon
Appooo = Apple
Booo = Bird
Beeh = Bear
Booo = Boot (so you really have to pay attention to whether or not he's seeing a bird or a boot!)
Boo-a = Book
Whee = Read
Wun = Run
Dah-dee = Daddy
Mommiee (Obviously)
"Dawwwt" = Truck. FUnniest, Cutest. I cant' take it. especially because if we try to say it like he does he corrects us and says "No, DAWWWT!" so we have to say it like we know how to say it (Truck), and he thinks the way he says it is the same, so when we say it how he actually says it, he thinks we're wrong. Ha! Do you not love it?!?!
TeeTee's = cookies, don't laugh.
Pah-Yee = Potty
Dah-Dies = French Fries
Eh-Moh = Elmo
Bat-Mee = Batman
ICE = Eyes
Mote = Milk
wide = ride
ouuuh = Up
abb-ieee = Help please
bouf = balls
houf = house
mouf = mouth (aren't those three funny too?)
Fah-doon = Fall down
Tick = stick
Bee-Bee = Baby
pee-pee speaks for itself.
Bah-Booos = Bubbles
Daah = Dog
Bum = well, Bum (meaning his backside)
CUTEST LATELY IS: "LELLOW" for Yellow. And he knows what things are yellow and what things are not. "Bdue" is BLUE and he also knows that color. He knows red too but can't quite say it, same with Green.

Wet, Met, Rice, Mine and Mess he says pretty clear.

And his most popular and frequent is "Daaaaaaaat?" for "What's that??"

Now he can put together a few words. I love when he says "Buh-Bye Dawwt" I'm sure you maybe can guess what that means?
But a lot of his sentences he sticks "Dah-Doh" or "Dah-Dah" in the beginning and/or the middle, so someone who is not his parent will NOT know what he's saying. For example: "Dah-dee, dah, dah, doh, doh buh-bye" = "Daddy go bye-bye" or like when he watches one of his Elmo DVD's that features Abby the little fairy, there's a part where they collide and fall into each other. He points and says "Oh NO! Abee dah-doh, doh, Elmo dah-doh, doh Fah-dooon" Which just means "Abbie and Elmo fell down!" HA!!!

Then we'll be in the car and he'll say "Bee-dawt" for "Big Truck" and then he'll repeat himself about 24 times and I'll say "yes, BIG TRUCK" and he'll say "no, BEE-DAWT" and I'm likes "yes Christopher the BIG TRUCK" and then he corrects me again, so I am like "okay dude, whatever"

Lately he's been sleeping with us every couple of nights and I found that he talks in his sleep. He woke me up exclaiming "MINE!" and stealing my pillow!!! SERIOUSLY!?!?! <3 Lately, everything he touches is "MINE!" I have a hard time not agreeing with him.

He likes to point to me or his Dad's things and say "Mommees" or "Dah-Dees" and say it over and over that it's Mommees or Dah-dees. He likes to hand us our things too, whether or not we need them, like our shoes at 9 p.m. at night, or our water bottles, or he will just remove our cup from in front of us, and then bring it back saying "Mommy!"

He even helps me unload the dishwasher and says "MOMMY" with every piece he hands me.

He's the best blessing I've ever been given.

Just some stuff to think about in-case you encounter children that you don't know how to communicate with. :p

Breakfast for dinner!

I love peppers. I could eat peppers all day long--especially the red and yellow ones.

I love eggs too. Every morning I eat two hard-boiled eggs with some apples and granola.

While perusing Pinterest for new recipes, I saw this and knew I had to make it soon. A combo of awesome--peppers and eggs! It is the easiest, cutest thing you'll ever make. It was so delicious too.

Start by gutting your peppers and then cut into rings.


crack your eggs inside the rings on the skillet, sprinkle salt & pepper.


They're prettier if you leave them sunny side up, but I however, cannot eat runny yolk, so I flipped them, you do what you like.

My plate tonight. Those things didn't stand a chance against me!


Serve with anything--sausage, or fried potatoes with sauteed onions and mushrooms sounds perfect to me. I also thought of sprinkling some cheese over the eggs & peppers but I was too excited to stuff my face, I didn't want to take any extra steps. So, next time.