Re-Cap of January and February

Last I left you, we had just returned from PA.  In that time, Greg has cut two more teeth, began walking (for real this time!), tried some new foods (cantaloupe, cauliflower, steak, and kiwi), and learned to roll a ball.  He loves to play chase!  He is also learning to identify animal sounds.  He knows the monkey says "ooh, ooh" (he makes a cute panting sound for this), and that lions and bear say "grrrr, or roar."  He can make the sound of a goat, too.  At this point, all other animals growl, apparently.  He is also learning colors, numbers, and letter recognition.  He can say "cracker" and "mama" and "all done."  He said his first sentence: "Mama, nana (banana) all done."  He is working on coming to Mommy, picking up his toys, and not throwing fits. ;-)  He loves to ride his car outside, and pushes his cousin Eden around everywhere, "ssshhing" her if she cries.  He bear crawls everywhere when he doesn't walk.

I attended a ladies retreat that was absolutely beautiful!  Also left Greg for the first time overnight (yikes!).

 The grounds were beautiful!

 Greg LOVES to swing and to play outside.  He is happiest left exploring the great outdoors.

 He also is fearless and enjoys sliding down the slide.  In the picture above, we are playing at Tiffany Park where they have a toddler park.  This is a great idea since Greg can climb all over everything and I don't have to worry about him falling from a great height.

 Planting the beginning of my container garden!  One year, I'll have a real garden, but for now, this works well.  Pineapple sage (attracts hummingbirds), spearmint, and flowers (wormwood, snapdragons, and a few others).

The cute little heart I made for Valentine's Day!  I love buttons!  It's 3D, though you can't tell very well from the picture.

We are still job hunting and house hunting, and trying to enjoy life where we are at!

Smiles!

Learning

Greg is learning to put things away!  He is doing a good job at it, too.  He has a bad cough right now, but is drinking my garlic lemonade without complaint.

I worked on sewing projects today.  I enjoy sewing when I make up a pattern instead of following one.  Frustration doesn't exist because I don't have to make it perfectly like a pattern.  I'm rather excited about them! The best part of making these skirts is seeing my creative side come out in something tangible.

Brian meanwhile has been able to exercise his creative side with the tiling of Mom's kitchen backsplash. It has turned out really spectacular.

Well, that's all for now!

Smiles!

Kitchen Remodel, Take Two

Today Brian worked on finishing the kitchen--one more day and we should be finished!  My husband is a genius at designing and working on stuff.  So much so, that while he was at Lowe's, a customer wanted to know if he would do a tile job for him.  Brian said he would be happy to, if he was around longer.  Several people said that if they had known that our circumstances would be like they are now, they would have paid Brian to remodel and we could stay longer.  All that to say, my husband's amazing skills are in high demand--a fact which makes a proud wife very happy!

It began to snow...but only a dusting.  Still cold for the workman, though.  I kept him supplied with hot beverages.  The really big storm is coming on Friday.  Funny thing is, if we had kept with our original plan, we would be here for it.  As it is, we will miss it, or get stuck in an airport somewhere.  Ironic, eh?  Should make this weekend hugely interesting!

 These lovelies are gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!  The gingerbread was perfect-molasses-y, dark, fall-apart-in-your-mouth, soft, warm, fluffy deliciousness.  A pinterest recipe.  And not very sweet.  Definitely a keeper--can't have a winter pass by without making gingerbread and rice pudding!

 The tile job Brian designed himself!  All that is left is to grout and finishing painting.  Makes me think of the verse in Genesis where God saw all that He made and it was good!  So much fun to help other people achieve their dreams--whether family or friends in TX, around the world, or here in PA.

I took a video of Greg learning a new skill today--one he taught himself!  Hoping it breeds helpfulness to Mommy around the house soon.  I've tried to upload it four times now, but it isn't working.  I'll try again later.  The little tyke is so indecisive about walking!  He'll stand for ages, put a foot out, bend down as if to crawl, and repeat....before deciding to just crawl.  He's just gonna get up the courage to do it someday.  It is fun to watch this stage.  Watch him grow in confidence.  Watch him test the limits.  He has changed SO much the last month.  He "reads" to himself now.  And rocks and "sings."  I have been attempting to expand his sign language vocabulary, but for some reason, every new word we learn, ends up like the sign for "eat."  He understands the word, but for some reason, I can't get a difference in individual signs.  Ah well.  At least we are communicating!  He will sign for please, thank you, and your welcome (but all the same sign!).

Smiles!

Kitchen Remodel and the Sweetest Place on Earth

Picture time, as promised!

Today was spent mostly doing a kitchen remodel, and we have more to do on Monday.

Last Sunday we took a trip to Hershey Chocolate World: the Sweetest Place on Earth!

 Greg loved all the pictures on the walls, and I was sure his little pointy finger would become worn out before the end of the trip. ;-)

 He could only stare in awe, mouth open, at everything; especially the singing cows.  He danced and sang right along with them.  There is no way for me to describe his face, but we loved watching his delight.  What's better than going on field trips?  Seeing your children experience them!

 Pointer finger poised and ready for action!

 The little stinker wouldn't look at the camera, but he sure enjoyed the chocolate!  Since he has had some, any time he spies a wrapper, he asks to eat it.  He also tried pickled eggs and beets and salt and vinegar chips this week.  He was so insistent about trying them, that I gave him some.  His face became quite the sour pucker, but he kept going back for more until his Daddy declared him his Mother's boy (in regard to food).

 The little bit of snow we got.  I'm still holding out for more. Greg wasn't quite sure what to make of it.  He touched it, but thought it too cold and tried to shake it off.

 More Christmas at Great-Grandpa and Grandma's!

 He made this face right when I took a picture--he's such a ham!  Takes after his Daddy when it comes time to take pictures. 

 He is saying "hello mama" with the play phone.

 Great-Grandma fed him chocolate.  After devouring it and looking at his sticky hands, he reached for a cloth and handed it to me.  Maybe a clean child?

 Riding on Uncle Ethan's express way!

 The new entry way floor!

 Cutting countertops...

 This little guy wanted to help so badly, but was banished by the older guys...

 Before picture...

 Not sure how, but this little munchkin keeps sneaking in every other picture or so.

 My amazing husband hard at work!

Progress thus far!  More to come later next week, and someday, the rest of Mom's dreams.

Smiles!