Sweet!

Josh and I did not get to celebrate Valentine's day on the day, or even the weekend, but we did get to celebrate. I made us a fancy dinner of lobster tails and shrimp. (I got them on sale in Jan. and kept them in the freezer for just such and occasion.) Then I made chocolate covered strawberries and peanut butter cups with the leftover chocolate. It was a weird kind of chocolate though and didn't turnout quite how I would have hoped. I ate them all anyway.

Then, Josh got me these.

I was sure I had him convinced to buy me flowers. Yes, I know they are expensive on V-Day, but they are also frivolous and I wanted them. He hates flowers because they die and they make him sneeze. Ugh. Well, He found an art show and bought me these paintings of flowers. What a sweet guy. I love them!
Someday, I still want pretty flowers.

9 Months!

Oh my! He is that old already? I swear it was just yesterday that he was turning 8 months and THAT was old. He has been getting into so many things this month. We used the dog gate to section off the kitchen and we close all of the doors to the bedrooms and bathroom. I have had to move all of my pretty things and picture frames. He crawls everywhere and has become even more of a momma's boy. I didn't know that was even possible. I Really hope he grows out of it soon. At his doctor's appointment he was 19 lbs 6 oz(25%), 29 in. long(60%), with an 18 in. head circumference(50%). I knew he was losing weight, but I didn't know it was that much. I know they lose some weight when they start crawling, but his doctor said it is also because I am still nursing and I am probably not eating as much either. How did she know? Just this weekend I was telling my dad that I think I have lost weight, but not the good way, just by missing meals. I don't mean to. I am just so busy and have my hands full. I am really trying to remember my snacks and eat better so Rome can start gaining weight again. On a positive note, he has started eating again! Yay! His doctor suggested I don't give him as much and he will get hungry and then he will eat what I give him. And it worked! I have him eating pancakes and chicken and grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit and bananas and beefy rice. Ooo, I am so excited about this! Now, I only give him cereal and baby cheetos for a treat after all of the other good stuff. On to this week. He has had an ear infection and our house has not been a fun place. He does not sleep. Which means we Do Not Sleep. I tried to call his doctor and say that his medicine is not working, but they are closed Sat. so I will have to wait until Mon. Stinky! I am soo SOO tired! I have been cheating and sleeping with him in the guest room. I know, I am not supposed to, but it is the only way I have found to get at least 3-4 hours of sleep. Horrible, I know. I think it has to do with his ear infection and his new separation anxiety. I am thinking of getting a babysitter just so that I can take a 2 hour nap. I just might do it soon. No sleep can make you do really crazy things. I try not to leave the house.
Other than the no sleep, we really love our little guy! He is so happy and does funny things every day. I love having him around and spending time with him. I just wish he would sleep.
Wow, this is really long. Oh well, pics to come later.

Frame Foibles

You might have seen this before. It is our beautiful Family Portrait. I love it. I searched for the perfect frame for it. I found this beauty and got it for 50% off. I even got a matching 3 frame one for Rome's portraits. I was so excited! I ordered my 11 x 14 print and it fits perfect. Then, I went to put it on the wall and it has one teeny, tiny problem. It has no hanger on the back. Nope. None. So, here it sits. On the kitchen table. Looking lovely. So sad.

Just FYI foibles means a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior. Hmm, so fitting.

Today's Favorite

I used to complain a lot about my duvet cover. It would never stay in place and I had to adjust it every day (or 2 or 3) when I made the bed. I thought it would be great if they just put buttons in the corners so the comforter would stay in place. Well, while shopping yesterday, I found these babies. Yes, I paid $5.99 for them, but I love them already. They keep my comfy, fluffy feather comforter from slipping around. I don't end up being cold in the morning because I only have the duvet cover on me with no comforter in it. Whoever came up with these things is a genius.

Valentines

I love Valentine's Day! Or ValentiMes Day, as Josh says it. Yes, we discuss it. My favorite was once when my mom got us all little baskets with candy and school supplies for Valentine's Day. I think she only did it once, but I loved it! I felt so special! After that I always try to send valentines to my siblings. They need an extra day to feel special and loved. Don't we all? This year my M-I-L gave me a Martha Stewart magazine because it had cupcake recipes in it. (I love cupcakes too.) It also had ideas for Valentines. How could I resist! I just had to try them out. I made puzzle purses for my girlfriends with a poem about friendship on it and pop-up cards for my brothers and Josh. I also got free cards from a website that Misty told me about (they were so cute!) and sent them to grandmas and aunts. Ooo, I just love Love day!

Closed
Open
I got pics of the boys cards, but forgot to get ones of the other ones. Girls please send me some! They were so cute! And my hand was so sore from cutting out hearts. That is what I get for being cute.

Spa Day

Well, not really. I just got my hair done, but I was there for 2 1/2 hours while Josh watched Rome and it really felt like a spa day. How often do I really get to go relax and have someone play with my hair for a couple of hours? Answer: Never! She even gave me a hand massage and did my eyebrows. (Shh! Josh didn't notice) When I was all done and colored, washed and cut, she asked if she could play. I said "sure." I have plenty of time. I tried to tell her I was just going home to shower because I HATE cut hair, but she didn't listen. I am sure I was charged for it, but she blow dried and straightened my hair and I left looking like a movie star. It was totally worth it to feel gorgeous for two days!

(I did not end up going home and showering. I had run out of time and how could I wash it after it looked this good?)

Missed A Day

Last week I had all of these great idea for posts. I just had no time to do them. I was waiting for the weekend when I had a minute and was going to post 3 or 4 things. Well, I talked to my mom and she said that my Grandma was in the hospital and not doing very well. My parents and brother were going to come down and visit me, but thought it would be better if I came up to visit Grandma. It was going to snow, so I packed up right then and drove to SLC. I love coming up to see my family and it was nice to visit my sick Grandma... I just missed my extra time to relax and the fancy dinner I was going to make for Josh and I. I love Valentine's Day. Yes, we will celebrate later. I am just kinda sad that I missed it.

Pay It Forward

The Rules
1. Be one of the first Three (3) bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me.
2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the spirit and the thought that count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!

If you are not one of the top three commenters on this post, you can still play along. Just start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!

I haven't "officially" won, but I am pretty sure I will win. Thanks Autumn! I am totally going to come visit you sometime. I need a girls vacation.

Oh, and I make cool stuff. At least I think so. And, I will offer them to anyone who wants to play. Or at least comments. (within reason)

Random Picture Day

So, this happened to me last month. I thought it was just a zit, but then it kept getting bigger and more sore. Josh was even worried and drew a circle around it to make sure it didn't get any worse. It didn't, but it is the worst spider bite I have ever had. I guess I should have put a quarter next to it so you could tell how big it was. Oh well.

Love and Personality

I have read a couple of books that I absolutely loved and helped me to learn more about myself. I love doing that. They were the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman and Positive Personality Profiles by Robert Rohm with the DISC personality traits. I found out that I am the touch love language, which Josh has had to learn, with spending time as a second. For personality I am mostly an S with some D tendencies (growing up in my family how could you not?) I am also very people oriented and not very business oriented, kind of the opposite from my parents. I really want to know what other people in my family are so that I can interact better with them. However, I really don't think they will see this, Or reply.
Anyway you can go Here for a free Love Languages assessment and Here to learn more about the DISC system (it is kind of like the colors but a little different).
Feel free to let me know. I am all ears.

Picky?

Rome has really developed an independent attitude. I don't mind it so much. I chase him around all day anyway. When it comes to meals, I am not so thrilled. It started that he wanted to feed himself. So, he eats finger foods like cheerios and cheese. Then, he wouldn't let me feed him unless he had a spoon, and then a bowl. Fine, just extra things to clean. Now, he won't let me feed him at all. He is very good at shaking his head "no" and it means No! He does it the entire meal and will not open his mouth for anything coming from me. (Unless, I am eating and it is off of my plate.) He won't eat pieces of banana or peach or sandwich. I just don't quite know what to do with this kid. I know I am worried about a little thing and he is not going to starve. He has been nursing before every meal and at night. I am super happy about that after the complete strike a couple weeks ago. I just keep wondering what else can I do? He gets 3 to 4 meals a day and every one ends with me frustrated. Ugh!! Suggestions anyone?

Bathtub Follies

I tried to get on the computer the other day and Rome crawled away from me. When I went to look for him, I found him in the bathroom. Apparently he wanted to play with his bath toys. Silly little boy!

Domestic... Please

So, lately I have been feeling all domestic. Not that I have been cleaning. No, that is not happening. I am barely keeping up with all of the messes I have been making. Anyway, I made a pre-Valentine's Day pie. I used a shaker pie crust recipe and food storage dried apples for the pie. I also tried out 3-4 food storage recipes. None of which turned out too well. (potato lasagna, magic mix pudding, magic mix mac and cheese and something else.) I think I need a new food storage cook book. Then, today I made Jam! I saw on some random blog that they made blueberry syrup because they were on sale. Well, strawberries were on sale for $1. Yes, $1! So, I bought a bunch and made freezer jam. It turned out pretty well because it only took 35 minutes and Rome woke up from his nap right when I finished. Score!

Before---------------------> After, So Pretty! My pies never turn out this good!

All ready to go----------------> Finished!
Now, if only I can organize all of my scrapbook supplies and move them into the office. Then, organize the office and move it into the kitchen. Yea, it might take a while.

Crazy Week Pics

It took me forever to put this up. Somehow I just don't have any computer time now that the little boy is moving. He is fast!

My first Tooth

Crawling into the kitchen and playing in the dog's water dish

My First Bottle

Eating Cheese, Aren't I Cute?

Hanging with Papa Perotti at the mall