My week as a widow

Greg left me for a week to go to California for a landspcaping competition with the school. While we suffered through the snow, he enjoyed the sun and the sand and the palm trees. He and the school ended up doing really well. Greg and his partner took first place in the paver competition and third place in the plant installation. The school took first overall. He had a great time and did so good!

It's been 2 years? Really?

Well, it's official. I now have a two year old. As of last weekend, I have a two year old. We had a little birthday party with the grandmas and the grandpas (since the living room is only so big). It was a lot of fun. Crae wasn't exactly sure what was really going on, but he liked being the center of attention and opening presents.

I made Elmo cupcakes. Well, I tried to make Elmo cupcakes. At least they tasted good. And no matter what McCormick says, you can't make frosting red. A really pretty bright pink, but not red. You can't die from too much food coloring, can you?

Brilee having fun at the party.

Presents! Whoever came up with the idea of this monkey backpack leash is a genius! Love it. Can't wait to use it!

It was a fun day. Happy birthday, bud!

Hats off to you, Honey!

I must make a small tribute to my husband. He has bitten off a little more than he can chew for school this semster in order to get everything finished up and be able to graduate next winter (while he still defers this summer to work). He has been working so hard ever since school started - late nights, early mornings, and even weekends too. When he is able to come home, he greets a crazy house, crazy children, and their crazy mother who is about ready to have a nervous breakdown at any given moment. And then he usually has to study some more. I don't know how he is still doing it (it's been a little over a month now). On top of all that, he finds to the time to fulfill his church calling, have a little fun, and help keep us all happy. He is such a stud and I love him so much! That's why I'm taking a little time to say - Hats off to you, honey! You're the best! I love you.

Help!

A wise friend was holding my little 2 day baby in her arms when she said, "Make sure you start giving her a bottle a day so you can have a little freedom." Give my newborn a bottle? When she had barely learned to nurse? No, thank you. My baby needs ME to feed her, not some bottle. I have some 'got-to-be-needed' issues. (I am not one of those crazed Leche Ladies or whatever, but I am pro-nursing. Nursing may not be right or even possible for everyone, but it is something I have chosen to do.) Anyway... So here I am, almost five months later. It would be nice to get away for more than just an hour or two without worrying my head off about if my baby and her caretaker are okay. I'm noy wanting to give up nursing just yet, but an option would be nice. Everyday for the past two weeks, I try a bottle. I pump (every time), I try different nipples, different bottles, a different time of day, warmer, colder, etc., etc. Each time she even sees the bottle now, it's instant screaming, fussing, crying, and tears galore. It's like she thinks I'm trying to poison her! I try to calm and coax her, but pretty soon I add my own tears to the mix and fail yet again. Any suggestions out there for me?
signed: Miss shoulda, coulda, but didn't and now am suffering for it

OUCH!

The holidays were great as they usually are. We got to spend lots of time with family, eating, playing, and eating some more. And then it ended with a bang... well, maybe it was more of a thud, thud, thud. While having a Christmas after party at the Grandparent's Galbraith home, Crae fell down a flight of stairs while trying to save his bowl of M&M's. I'm all for saving the chocolate but this was a bit much.

Poor guy. I promise we don't beat our children. Look at that shiner. Ouch!

So it's been a whole month since I've posted. Oh, well. I finally got into the Christmas spirit this week. I think the snow kind of helped. We did decided to get a Christmas tree, and though space is sparce, we are glad that we did it. It turned out to be great fun. Crae thought all the ornaments were "coot" and the lights "pwetty."




And Greg made this awsome wreath from tree scraps.

And I took these awesome pictures. . .

Photo shoot

I found a girl from the college wanting to practice her photography for free and I just couldn't pass that up. Brilee needed some pictures done anyway. Of course Crae had to get in on it too. These are my favorites. Not too bad for free.