F.F.F.

This picture sums up the birthday so far….

First…we were late getting to the studio to have his pictures made – I called the studio to let them know and they were sort of rude.  Second…he spit-up his red vitamin all over this shirt – I had to do a quick clean-up…which made us even later!  Once we got there…15 minutes late…the studio was nice but John was not in the mood to have his picture made.

After pictures we went to Gatti’s for pizza and games.  I was excited when we pulled into the parking lot and there were only four cars!  We got great seats in the theater room and started eating when over 100 children under the age of eight started filling the room - local school had a field trip!  We immediately moved to another room…the noise level was – extreme.  Once we got to our new seats high school students  from three different schools filled the restaurant…and WOW - that was an experience.  It was like watching a wild pack of dogs that have not had anything to eat in years!!  Ugh!!!  I was ready to wave a white flag of surrender!

Things did get better after we left Gatti’s.  We went and got John’s cake, balloons, and the proofs.  Now John & Randy are taking a long nap to get re-charged for our party tonight.

Here are some more pictures from this morning.  The studio told me I have 60 days to re-take the photos if I would like.

I like this photo…

 

Happy Birthday John!  I love you.  You are spirited and I wouldn’t change a thing about you!

BTW – I lost 3.2 pounds this week!

F.F.F.

It amazes me how much and how fast children grow.  In the past 11 months John has learned so much…and he seems to change everyday.  I know I have said it before….but this boy make me laugh everyday.  Every month since the day he was born has been my favorite age…until the next month comes along.  Next Friday is the day.  I have been crying pretty much non-stop.  I can’t sing “Happy Birthday” without tears coming to my eyes.

Here’s a look at our little rascal from 12—23 months.

         

F.F.F.

You guessed it - the month of August I am dedicating F.F.F. to my baby boy.  Last Friday I shared pictures from birth to six months…this week it is six months to 12 months. 

John had colic for what seemed like the first year of his life…and we survived.  He loved to eat…I started him on baby food by the time he was 3 months.  By 7 months he had all of his teeth but he was a “late” crawler.  I blame the “incident” when he was 9 months to him crawling and walking later than most babies.  By the time he was 12 months he was pulling up and walking  with assistance. 

Here he is at 6 months…

Once again…I knew that I met my match.  I was watching him wanting my crafting scissors and I told him “NO”.  You can see he is being “crafty”…and a little ornery.  I was peeking around around the corner and captured him finally knocking them over!  The scissors went into seclusion that day.  Maybe someday they will be set free to do more projects.

   Here he is at 7 months…And 8 months…Then 9 months…   10 months… 11 months… And last…one year

New Week!

Well…I didn’t do as well as I wanted to at WW this week.  I only lost 0.2 pounds this week.  I am pretty sure I know where I went wrong… I snuck in a couple of bites from John’s plate (mac & cheese and mashed potatoes), I had ONE  roll with some of my Mom’s fabulous gravy on Sunday, and eating on the go is never healthy.  Randy said he thinks I am gaining muscle…my workouts have  increased to an hour a day – I am doing cardio and weights.  I am not disappointed…okay maybe a little disappointed but at least it is NOT a gain…and today and this week is a new week!

I did have some discouraging support from one of my doctors this week. (I will share and vent with you…so that you can put your hands on your hips…and huff…and puff with me!)  My appointment was on Monday and I told him about my weight loss and exercise routine which….by the way - I am up to a mile and a half everyday.  Anywho…this doctor (which I normally adore) tells me…”you are a perfect candidate for lap-band surgery!”  I was totally shocked!  I thought he would encourage me and tell me to keep doing what I was doing!  Instead….he totally “shot me down”!  He didn’t stop there….he continued by telling me…“you will lose up to 150 pounds within two months after the surgery”…and…AND…”you will NOT lose over 50 pounds with WW”! 

I was so shocked but I did tell him that I would LOVE  to have that surgery…a quick fix to my problem however I would gain all the weight back.  It is not only about losing weight for me but it a lifestyle change for me….and my family.

UGH!!  So I decided instead of getting angry with him I turned it around for motivation!  I immediately made me a sign for my workout room with this doctor’s quotes and some not so flattering pictures of me.  I am determined to lose this weight so that when I do go back to see him next year I can prove to him that I CAN do this without surgery!!  Plus…I will thank him for his words and motivation!!!  Hee…Hee…do you see my evil plan….

Thank You!!

Huge thanks to all that have been praying for my Daddy!
We got back from Albuquerque tonight with good news.
The angioplasty they did in May and the new medicine are working.
The EKG today was perfect and since Dad has not experienced any pain or symptoms of heart problems another surgery was not necessary.
The doctors told him to get back to a normal routine...including mowing his yard - which he is really excited about.
God is so faithful. Praise be to Jesus!

F.F.F.

Our Lord sent me an Angel in the Summer of 2004 to tell me “not to worry, I would have a son”.  I always wanted a son and  I always wanted a son named John.  I got my desire on August 28, 2007.  He was born two weeks early and weighed 10lbs, 11oz and almost 22 inches long.  This picture is the first time I got to hold my baby boy.  He was a few hours old here.  I was so sick in this picture.  I am glad Randy took this since I have hardly no memory of this moment.

John had the fattest cheeks!  They were so fat you could not see his chin or bottom lip.  This is when he was two months.

He was…and is a fun baby.  He was almost three months old in this picture.  He has always loved for me to read to him.  I have not missed one moment with him.  He is the love of my life, the apple of my eye, and the greatest joy I have ever had.  I seriously can not imagine my life before John or without John.

I knew that I would have my work cut out for me by the time he was four months old!  See the below for proof!

Here he is at five months…    

And then at six months…

Where has the time gone??

Still A Pretty Good Day!

First – it is impossible to believe it is August already! How can that be? Mom & I went to Hobby Lobby the other day and they have all the Fall & Christmas decorations out! I will admit when I seen all the Fall decorations my heart did sink a little…and I almost cried – tears of joy that is! I love Fall! The leaves changing, football season, the air getting crisp, the holidays, baking yummy treats, did I mention football??

There is part of me so sad….my baby will be two in 22 days! I am amazed how fast time has zoomed by! I have his party already planned – imagine that! (My sister jokes that I probably already have my funeral planned I am so organized!) We are not having a big shin-dig like last year…only cake & ice cream this year. The theme is Thomas the Tank Engine – which he loves…he calls it “toot-toot”! I ordered the cake & balloons already and made the invitations – which I think are soooo cute! I will post an invitation as the day gets closer!

Changing subjects…please pray for my Daddy. We go back to Albuquerque next Tuesday for a heart doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. They told us in May that when we came back in 3 months that they would do another heart cath and surgery if necessary. I am not sure what to expect but we are taking enough clothes for at least a week. My Dad is feeling better but he stills get tired really fast.

Also…please pray for my brother Larry as he returns to Iraq on Monday. I don’t worry about him as much as I use to once he gets to Camp Liberty…its just the getting there that makes me sort of nervous - it’s a 18-20 hour flight for him. It has been so good to see him and spend some quality time with him. He has never been able to just come to Amarillo and hang out. We are going to the nail salon today…I am getting my nails fixed…he is getting a pedicure! I am taking him, Julie & Ty to see Texas tonight…you know how much I love that play!!

I am off and about for the day! Hope you have a wonderful Thursday and great weekend!

BTW – I went to WW today…….I lost 7.8 pounds this week! In 14 days I have lost 16.8 pounds…I already met my 5% goal! My clothes are looser, my jewelry is fitting better, and I feel really good.

It’s Done!

This new sign in my bathroom sums it all up!

My bathroom is finally finished…after a small plumbing mishap and some decorating issues…I finally have my bathroom back!    I am glad the renovation is over over and I am pleased to say that I LOVE IT!  It is exactly what I wanted – bright, sunny, happy, & totally different from all other rooms in my house! 

I have several new “favorite” things…like this wreath my Mom & I made.  It is too big for this wall but I still loved it.   

My brother Larry and his family came into town on Friday then went to New Mexico white water rafting on Sunday.  When they came back yesterday they brought me this cross – for those not in the know…I love crosses.  Larry said he didn’t even think of it going in my bathroom – he just thought I would like it!  I do love it.  I will think of him and pray for his safety every time I see it!  

My faucet is my most favorite new bathroom item!   Mom and I picked it out when this project first started.  I paid more than I wanted to for a faucet but I LOVE it…I am glad I bought it!