Midweek Randoms/Catch Up

Whoa. We have lots of catching up to do folks. I've missed a few midweek random posts so I'm going to try and load this post full of the past month's activities. I won't do a play by play but I'll at least hit some major things.

First, after tons of thought, worry, and prayer, I applied for a new PR job. A job that would have required a move (not too far away, but a major adjustment none-the-less).There was around 75 people that applied, 5 of us were interviewed, and I believe I was a top runner but, ultimately, didn't get the job. I prayed that God would clearly open or clearly close a door and close it He did. =) Here's a couple crappy selfies from interview day. ;) This was me trying to get a second opinion on whether I looked ok. haha.

 First time straightening my hair in months!

 A couple weeks ago we went to church then enjoyed brunch as a family at Bricks. By the time we got home, Reid was tuckered out.

Also a couple weeks ago, we attended the retirement reception for a colleague. She's someone we really respect. She has pancreatic cancer and I think you probably already know I feel about that topic. =/ It was a great reception though with lots of good stories and hearty laughs.

 I made this out of bountiful basket produce. Buttered fettuccine with sauteed mushrooms and kale (blach) alongside a salad. I'm trying here people.

 I went to an old friend's baby shower. She's finally having that girl after a string of boys. =) The next day, I went on a shopping date with Kayla to buy spring clothes for our kiddos. We had a great time.

 Oh goodness, I love this boy.

This month there's been times I really wish I could be closer to some important people in my life. Sometimes it seems hard to mourn and help out in bad times and celebrate in good times when there's distance involved. Sigh.

Last week was our Spring Break so we got a couple days off. Thursday, we went to the zoo. Here's Reid gearing up for the big day.

 We brought Sky along too.

 We went in the morning and it was super chilly and windy. Also - hardly any animals were out and active. =( Fail.

 We still had a good time hanging out together though and by the time we left it had warmed up a lot.

 Reid even had hot little piggies that demanded to be free of socks and shoes.

 He is such a busy, busy boy.

 Our house is never short on shenanigans with these two. ;)

 That evening we had Wii Night. It was fun and the kids were pretty good.

 Love these photos I stole during nap time the next morning.

That evening we went to Wichita for a family session. We shot the couple's engagement session and wedding a few years ago. They are so nice. They now have a little girl who just turned one. =) After photos, we had a date night. We ate at Bella Luna (even enjoyed our food while it was still warm... mind blowing, ha!) and stopped by Home Depot before heading home. We had a great time!

 Ornery stinker.

Saturday, Dac and his dad worked to insulate our bathroom we've been remodeling for years. haha. We're getting closer! =) Anyway, while they did that, Val, Reid, and I went to Stillwater and ate at Joe's. It was Reid's first experience there.

 YUUUUM.

 Of course he needed a new shirt. =)

Val also let me give her the tour of town and campus, so that was fun. =)

I washed and ironed our family room curtains over the weekend. Not my most favorite task.

 Breakfast!

 More bountiful basket concoctions. I've been in a pasta mood lately. This is butternut squash mac-n-cheese

 Reid loves to brush his teeth in the tub. =) He takes it very seriously.

Our Bible study on making love last is over now. We enjoyed it. I'm sure there's more to share but hey, this is a start. =)

More 15-month Fun

Some outtakes. =)

Reid is a happy baby. We are blessed. BUT he is not happy and smiley all the time like online photos tend to portray. There's some of this too:

 The happy outweighs the other though.

 One of my favorites.

Reid: Month 15

Dear Reid,

Seeing as how you're almost 16 months old now, I'm a little late to this game. Oops! You have changed so much in these last three+ months. You're less and less of a baby and more and more like a big kid. I miss you as a wee little babe but I can't say I get too awful sad about it. You're more fun each and every day and my love for you is just prit-near big time.

You rarely meet a stranger and make friends everywhere you go. You are a character that has the gift of making people smile and winning their hearts. It's a gift I pray you'll always use for good and that God will use to the fullest. Your personality? Sigh. It's explosive. You are such a blessing that I am just so so thankful for. You're really becoming 'you' and I love being along for the ride.

The past few months have been a whirlwind. You showed some slight separation anxiety at times and made it clear you wanted your mama. That seems to have already passed for the most part but it still comes up every now and then. We also dipped our toes into the crazy, confusing, heart-breaking sea of discipline. You are ornery and sure do know how to push your boundaries and our buttons. So far we've found a mix of diversion tactics and the occasional time out seem to work in most instances (like when you're pulling hair, standing on furniture, or pulling blinds and curtains for example ;)) You also seem to be making stronger attachments to your little buddies at daycare and at church. I love to see that! =)

Reid, my busy little man... I love you and look forward to the next few adventures!

Highlights:

You are walking like a pro all over the house. You took your first sorta-steps Thanksgiving weekend, then took your first real steps the week before Christmas. Then, you started full-on walking on January 8. You got up and walked across the room at daycare then came home and gave us an encore performance. =) You walk with your hands up by your chest a good deal of the time and you get into everything.

You climb on everything and have had your fair share of head bonks because of it.

You are very vocal and have quite the set of pipes on you. I think you like to be heard. =) You babble a lot but you also say several things including 'mama', 'daddy', 'uh-oh', 'hi', 'hello', 'bye bye', 'more'. Other things you've said but don't say frequently include: 'Peety', 'doggy', 'Oakley', 'please', 'banana', and probably other things that I can't think of right now.

You love food. You are certainly going to eat us out of house and home. ;) You eat all table food and aside from a few things you still can't chew well, you are happy to try new things. We do still keep bites fairly small but are moving more toward letting you take your own bites off things.

You have all your baby teeth (that's right... all 16... and have had for months now) aside from your 2-3.5 year molars - which - you are currently working on. Bring on the steak!

You had your first visit with the dentist on February 19, 2014. You got a good report (this is when we figured out you're teething again) and we celebrated with a treat from the Donut Whole. ;)

You have just recently figured out how to rock your dino rocker. It's quite cute.

You can now put your blocks together and play with your stacking toys the right way.

You weigh 25+ lbs. I don't have a real recent height measurement but I do know that your head is still in the 90th+ percentile. =) Cutest noggin' around.

You love being with friends and family and are always happy to be dropped off at daycare each day. You're always happy to see me at pick-up time though which keeps my heart happy. You also enjoy hanging out with family babysitters. Thanks Reid, that makes having to be away from you at times SO much easier.

You rarely like to be held, sit on our laps, or hold still to be read to. BUT... sometimes you do and it's just like the best thing ever. You're usually excited to see me when I pick you up from daycare so when I get in the backseat to buckle you in your carseat, we pause for a hug.

I sneak in quick prayers each night during the minute or two you let me sway with you in your room.

You still use a pacifier but mostly just for naps/bedtime and in the car. Our plan was to wean you off of it after the first of the year but again, the teething has just been non-stop and that seems to help you feel better so we've kept it... for now. =)

You still sleep well at night for the most part and you still love naps... usually 2x a day.

You celebrated Valentine's day with a party at Connie's (you even got Valentine's from your friends!) and a party at Aunt Cori's that night.

You handed out your first Valentines.

You spent much of January sick with something... upper respiratory virus and ear infection which was just awful and landed you your first round of antibiotics and a few sick days home with me or your dad, a stomach bug (maybe even two), and lots of teething-related things too, later in the month and info February.

You are still super ticklish and have the best laugh.

You have started undoing the velcro straps on your shoes constantly. You like to chew on the velcro sometimes.

You still wear size 4 diapers. I'm certain we could go up to the next size but there's more in the size 4 box so we're still getting those. ;)

You wear 18-month (and 24-mo shirts/pj's) clothes but are moving more and more into the 24mo or 2T size... especially in shirts. You still have skinny, short legs so you can still take the smaller pants. *update - you're wearing mostly 2t shirts and 18-month bottoms. 

You still seem fairly comfortable wearing your size 5 Stride Rite shoes but it's clear they're quickly becoming too small. *update - too small now that this post is late... moved on to size 6 which are still a tad big.

Your eczema is still a problem. =/ It doesn't seem to bother you too awful bad though. I'm hoping it improves as the weather warms up and the air isn't quite so dry.

You are such a dramatic little eater and drinker. You really go at it with great intensity... mouth wide open, chomping down on the sippy cup or a fist full of food. I giggle each time. It's just so 'you'.

Not-so Midweek Randoms

So clearly I'm behind and at this point, it probably would have made more sense to wait until Wednesday to do a 2-week recap but I'm doing it today instead. =) 

I believe I left off the day of Reid's first dentist appt. The appt. went fairly well and turns out, Reid is in fact teething his 2-3 year molars. Holy moly son. Way to be advanced in that area. =) The dentist said it's not seen often but it can (and is) happening. It may still be a bit before they pop through but he's certainly working on them. I'm glad it's nothing serious but hate that he's struggling so much with them. Fortunately, he has improved over the past week or so and isn't nearly as fussy, etc...

I forgot to take a picture of his first appt. but here he is with Dac in the lobby waiting for me to use the bathroom so we could go in to the office. ;) PS - I just love our dentist and his staff. They are wonderful. 

 The next day, Reid was still less than impressed with life, as exhibited below. This was during Wii night. PS - love the girls' pug pj's. The night was seriously awful. I mean of course we had fun with friends but Reid looked like this nearly the entire time.

 Oh how I love him anyway. =)

Friday, my parents brought supper over. I'm sorry to say Reid continued to look much like he did the night before. Poor guy was just miserable and Lord have mercy he was attached to my hip. I didn't dare leave the room.

Saturday, I took some 18-month photos of Felicity at the park. Then we went to Wichita, did some shopping, ate lunch at Noodles & Co., and attended Dac's cousin Ezriah's wedding reception. After, we all (all meaning most of Dac's immediate family) went to DQ.

Sunday, we headed to Lyons to visit our good friends John, Anna, Ruby AND... wait for it... baby Jack! =) Such a doll. We made lunch, snapped a couple photos, and enjoyed a nice (albeit quick) visit. Side note: Dac and I are both Godparents now. I to Journey and Dac to Jack. =)

While we were visiting them, Reid was enjoying a fun day at Uncle Darin and Aunt Darla's. He went to church with them and played, played, played.

With snack breaks, of course. =) The kid loves his snacks.

 Clearly he missed us terribly and was super miserable while we were gone. ;)

When we got back we rushed to Bible study and that was that!

Other events this past week include: a school board meeting and Dac's birthday.

Friday, we made a quick trip to Derby to go to Target and eat for Dac's birthday. To clarify, the Target was for me and the SUPPER was for Dac's birthday. =)

Saturday, I attended a funeral of a sweet, awesome lady. Then, Kayla and I grabbed lunch. I spent lots of time prepping fruits and veggies from our Bountiful Basket then met Dac's family for supper.

Sunday, church was cancelled due to the weather so we stayed in PJ's for a good portion of the morning.

Reid played and wrecked havoc on the family room.

 He learned that yelling into his snack cup makes funny noises. =)

Then, we ventured out to my grandma's for lunch and to see my cousin Dustin and his wife before they head to his station in Arizona. When we got home we all took a nap and I finished off the evening with laundry and the Oscars (before falling asleep super early).

I even tricked Reid into sitting on my lap for a few minutes. =)