Dear Zane...

April, 6 2013

22 months, 14 days

Zane, I know I've told you how smart you are, but for a parent to watch their child grow and learn so much just overnight is amazing!! You point to things and say the word, I haven't even taught these to you yet. I'm also learning that you are very observant-I think you get that from your daddy! You know the difference between a fork and spoon (which you learned just this week, apparently!) Right now, while you are still learning to say things, Mommy can always understand what you are saying. Sometimes I will have to tell everyone else what you are asking or telling us. Some of your words sound very similar, like "balloon" and "ball", and "down" and "done." But, Zane, you say things very well, so I do not always have to show people what you want. You have no idea how many words you learn so fast! I have been keeping a "word count" of your entire vocabulary, so when the doctor asks me, I know exactly how many words you know. I update it often, that's how fast you learn and how smart you are!!

One of our favorite things to see you do is to "run fast!" You tuck your head down, put your arms out behind you, like wings, and take off running as fast as you can! Sometimes you'll but your back up against the wall and want us to say "on your mark, get set, GO!!" And off you go, giggling all the way!   You are so funny, and so much fun to be around! You entertain us all the time. We really do wonder what we did before you came along. 

Mommy and Daddy, and EVERYONE loves you so much! You are a very special boy!

Dear Zane...

April 4, 2013

22 months  12 days old

To my dearest Zane,

I wish I had started this a long time ago, when you were first born, or even when I got pregnant with you. I have a lot of time to make up for in this first "love letter" to you! I hope one day you can look back on these and cherish them always!

You should know, you are the absolute light of my life! Everyday you fill my heart with complete joy and love!! You have this special way of always making me feel so happy. There is not a day that goes by that you don't make me laugh until my stomach hurts! You are so silly and are so happy! You dance around and it's so cute! Sometimes you and Daddy have "dance-off's" where y'all just dance around together. I love it! Lately, you've been making funny faces. You love doing it when you know you're doing something you shouldn't. You just want to make me smile or laugh, it usually works!

Zane, you amaze me at how smart you are. You should see yourself in action, really! Yesterday, you went to get a tissue and pick up a bug off the floor, then threw it in the trash. I was taken aback, because Daddy and I were not sure where you learned to do this? But you knew!! A few weeks ago you started calling me "Mom-mom." Every time you say it, it's music to my ears!! You say it a lot, especially when you want me to fix something or help you with something. Now it's turned into "Momma." People tell me it's going to get old, but I can't get enough of hearing it! Also, here lately, you've become quite the tattle-tell. It's funny! If the dogs knock you down or steal food from your little hands, you come to get me and show me exactly where they knocked you down and point to the dogs, in your own words you get on to them for doing that to you!

You just experienced your 1st Easter egg hunt last Sunday. You were incredibly cute! You knew exactly what to do and as I held your basket, you'd drop eggs in one by one. Afterwards, of course, you'd want to eat all the candy inside! You ask "eease" for "please." Then you'd say "thanks!" You are such a sweet, polite little boy!! Decorating the eggs was fun too! You loved dropping them in the dye and then a minute later you'd stick your whole hand in to get them out. By time we got done, you had some messy hands! You've discovered you love stickers, especially Sesame Street stickers. You'll put them all over your body, the kitchen table or just on the doors. You love to name off each of your favorite characters. But, usually any kind of stickers will do for you. Coloring is one of your favorite pastimes too. You're good at coloring in the books, but occasionally I catch you coloring the floor or walls or furniture. But they are washable, so it's not that big of a deal. I think you are confused between crayons and chalk. It's ok, you'll catch on soon, you always do!!

Morning time is one of our special times together. When you wake up, it takes you a little bit to get going. You need to lay on me and cuddle until you are awake enough to feel like playing. It's the sweetest thing! I think I love it more than you do!

I can't wait to write more letters to you about our life together and all you do growing up! I love you more than any words could ever express!!

Love you ALWAYS,

Mommy

Reasons I did not teach Zane to sign...

Lately, it seems that teaching babies to sign is becoming quite popular!! It could be that I am recently hearing about it because I am a mom now? I do believe there are many great benefits to signing, apparently it raises IQ points and it makes communicating with a baby (who cannot speak) much easier. Good reasons! Except for us, I know my son better than anyone and given that he is already pretty shy, I chose not to teach him, right now. Zane took his time when it came to speaking, he was over a year old when he said his first word. Our highly trusted pediatrician was not worried in the least, because Zane could ALWAYS understand what we were saying! As long as he understood us, Dr. Foster was not worried. And Zane could understand us very well!! We'd ask Zane to throw something away-he would, we'd ask him to lay down, to give us kisses, hugs, high-fives, etc. You name it, he'd understand long sentences. When he wanted something, he knew exactly what it was! Zane would "point and grunt" as the Dr put it. After a while that "pointing and grunting" got really obnoxious bless his heart! But when I got him what he wanted, which I knew anyway (all mom's do, and that was the biggest problem) he would giggle as if saying, "yep that's what I wanted and you got it for me, how easy!" Well the fact that I knew, instead of asking him to actually tell me part of it.

The fact that my son was taking a bit longer (in my opinion) to speak, it was one of my leading reasons not to teach him how to sign. 1). I wanted him to speak out loud and use words, I knew he was capable, he just wasn't doing it. 2). Not everyone in my family knows sign language, that would be a major communication barrier. Not to mention, frustrating when they would babysit. 3). I did not want him to be 3 years old and still refusing to speak and resorting to sign language as his primary form of communication. 4). I know my baby! He is SHY!! If he knew sign language he would really not want to talk.

Now of course, he speaks, several words and sentences. People who meet him at first, wouldn't know this (he's shy remember). Everyone may not understand everything he says, which is normal for a 22 month old, but mom's always usually know what their baby is saying.

I know many mother's will disagree with me here, and that's ok. But we all know what is best for our children. While I do think knowing sign language is great and wonderful, it's not for us, right now. I think it'd be a great thing to teach him later on, once he is full on talking. Why not? He may have a hearing impaired friend, future sibling or cousin. I hope one day I can learn and therefore teach him too!

What's Happening & Find + Follow Friday!

Exciting days ahead for my blog! I am co-hosting Find + Follow Friday with Nicole from Me + The Moon. If you aren't one of the lucky ones to have read her blog, check her out now!

The Happenings Lately...

I assure you, I have got some exciting home projects in the works too! The Mister and I have been working away on these awesome home DIY projects all week! I thought I'd have these pretty before and after pics up here by now, really! We have run into some major hiccups to get everything just right, now we got it all figured out and I'm pretty sure we are pro's in the refinishing business! Anyway, in a couple days, it'll be blog ready! Hence the reason I have been blog M.I.A. but it'll be worth the wait! Luckily for me, hubby-man has been on vacation--he thanks me kindly!

When my supervision hasn't been needed, I've been pouring myself into some major Spring-cleaning! I have cleaned walls, appliances, planted flowers, and made a penny ball for my garden in the planting process! I have hydrangeas see, and rumor has it that copper keeps away slugs and keeps your hydrangeas blue! I'll take that! Here's how I did it--

My Uncle's name is Dale, so I like this ball!

For all my fellow OCD friends, YES--all the pennies are heads up! 

I went to the thrift store here in town and found a super cheap bowling ball, $2.49, came complete with the bag I didn't need or want. Then I round up all my pennies and mixed up some epoxy, huge nasty mess! Hours later and tons of pennies (a few dollars worth probably) and I have a penny ball! Eh, it's ok I think. Not as pretty as the one on Pinterest.

Then I made a ribbon basket, it's lame!

And I'm not done yet with all the organizing and cleaning fun! I still plan to clean my ceiling fans, recover my dining room chairs, and clean out Zane's clothes (again) which no doubt will make me cry (again)!

This Sunday we had Zane's Easter pics taken! I cannot wait to see them and share them with you!

Last Year, right before the meltdown!

Last year, we had a complete meltdown with the live bunnies! This year--a complete 180! There may be some bunny kissing involved! Stay tuned!

The Link-Up...

Thanks for joining us! So let's get to it:

1. Follow your hosts. 

They will be numbers 1 - 4 on the list. **I try to always follow back, so PLEASE leave a comment letting me know you're new here so I don't miss you! ** Sometimes it takes a little while, but I always get through every comment and follow back. :) My co-hosts this week are: Lesley over at Mommy in the Making Melissa over at Forever and A Day + Sarah-Louise over at Life In A Break Down! 2. Link up your blog's main page. **No blog hops, please.**

3. Try to stop by at least 3 blogs and follow ones you love. 

I'm sure they'd love it if you left a comment, as well :)

4. Take a button! 

Sharing is caring :) The more awesome blogs = the more awesome bloggy friends you make.

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5. Tweet this hop!

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I've decided to make this hop every other Friday for the time being-- e-mail me at nmariephoto@gmail.com if you'd like to co-host! 

Utensil Holder Revamp!

I have never been happy with the utensil holders I have had, and I really couldn't ever find something I loved. Once in Hobby Lobby I stumbled upon this urn/planter thing and it was OK! I can't say that I loved it though!

See? Just eh, ok!

I had this sitting on the counter for about a year or so. Then through my blogging and Pinterest world I stumbled upon this super cute idea and I LOVE it!! I never would have thought of it on my own!

After a month or so of searching for one of these silver ice buckets on Etsy, I finally found one that was perfect and the perfect price! All the ones I found were $65 or more!! I found this gem for $28!! That's doable!
It arrived in the mail yesterday. It was super tarnished and I wanted to polish it up just a bit. I still liked a vintage-y lightly tarnished look, so I didn't get too crazy with the polishing, even though it did take some elbow grease!

Before the polishing

I got the polishing cream at Walmart and got to work!

It took me about an hour and an unveiling of an engraving, I don't even know what it says.

Nailed it!

Zane's Time-Out Chair

We are in the "terrible-two's" folks! This momma needed a time-out chair, but not just any time-out chair! I wanted something unique and really cute!

I had been searching for the perfect chair for a while and finally came across the right size chair, and not too girly looking, (no carved hearts or swirly detail). I knew I'd have to revamp it if I wanted it just right. I just did not know what kind of look I wanted.  I knew I love orange for boys and teal and navy and grey, but which direction should I go in was the main question. Since this chair had a cushion, I knew I needed to start with finding the perfect fabric. I went to this fun, quirky fabric shop in Dallas, I swear I looked at fabric for a good while, and Zane made friends with one of the employees in the meantime. I kept looking for the fabric I fell in love with and could envision an adorable look for the chair. Then I saw it! As soon as I settled on the fabric, in the store my vision came to me!! Orange and teal paint, but alternate the colors on the different legs or back of the chair, brilliant!!

The fabric on the top left, of course!

The original cushion was a mess! It was lumpy and honestly, not that cushy! I bought some foam and batting to make a proper cushion. I could not wait to get started! Off to Lowes I went for the perfect paint colors. I had The Hubby remove the cushion and pry off the existing fabric, also give it a good sanding. As he did that, I focused on making a nice cushion, after all, his bobo should be comfy while in time-out right?

This was the cushion--pillow stuffing!

Under the "cushion"

I cut out the foam in the shape of the seat

Time to wrap the seat and foam with the batting

Stapler needed!

Done with that, now for the fabric!

I cut out the fabric and got to covering. The cut-outs in the seat did make things a little tricky, but in the end, it turned out great!!

TADA!!!

Then I had to paint the chair. It took a few coats, but it was no problem! After it dried I got my white paint pin to write the perfect saying for this chair...

I love it!!

What should I call this post?

It's Thursday!!! Oh and I'm tired, this is the first chance I've had to sit all day (you're thinking--well duh, you're a mom) but it was because I went to the doctor today for pain in my wrist that I've had for oh about 6 months!!! I didn't want to go because when it started Zane wasn't walking and IF I needed surgery on it (like once before) I wanted to wait until he was walking first. Well, that was in September. I've put it off for a little bit I guess! But IT'S OK! Why?? Because turns out my hand surgeon, he's top in Dallas, that I saw 10 years ago for a cyst in the same hand, says--you're going to laugh--there's this thing they call "Mommy Syndrome" seriously. It's basically moms, who are constantly picking up their babies and carrying around 30lb or more carriers and all that, they injure their wrists. Why is that? He said it's because when a woman is pregnant, her ligaments stretch and weaken, not just their pelvic ligaments, ALL their ligaments so they are easily injured and not so easily fixed! As he explained, surgery ligament repair would work if say a football player took a big fall and tore the previously strong ligaments, I, however have weak ligament and had no blunt trauma so surgery wouldn't do much with the weak ligament tissue. So I have to wear this thing--which I HATE!

Attractive right? Think I could bedazzle it?

And I'm right handed. I also have to take a prescribed anti-inflammatory, if you know me at all, I also HATE taking pills. Then I got this cool brace (no pun intended) to ice 3 times a day.

See the pocket for the ice packs?? What will they think of next?

All cozy, FREEZING!

Then go back in a month for re-evaluation. If it's not better I need an MRI to see what else could be going on. I am so glad I don't need surgery, because #1--how would I afford it, stay at home mom here! And #2--who would take care of Zane and I when my most dominant hand is out of commission?? I know the answer to that one actually, it's just stressful for me to not be able to do it myself and burden others to have to take time to help us out like that. I thought child-birth and that healing afterwards was the last physical pain of being a momma, I was wrong. Because I can't do certain workouts, it hurts to clean, do laundry and to cook (which I love to do) and most wrist movements. I am to wear this brace during any activity that hurts the wrist, great! So, I asked the Dr. "does this mean I can no longer clean or cook??" Hehe! Hoping for some fun news to tell the hubby. But I actually had no idea this was possible or an actual thing??? All parts of being a mommy, it is way worth it I must say!!!

Now time for...

IT'S OK...

...it's ok I have this pain due to greatest gift on Earth!

...that I'm a clean freak! Once a week I spend an entire day to clean--to have a "Monica" clean house. (Any fellow FRIENDS lovers out there?)

...that I just learned how to french braid yesterday.

...that I'm already planning my son's 2nd birthday party, that I swore wouldn't be a big bash like last year!

...that I hate to hang up clothes!!

...that once again I'm craving pepperoni pizza, from Mr. Jim's, thin crust please!!

...that I'm yet again obsessed with my favorite perfume! It happen like clockwork every February!

It smells like Spring Heaven!! 

...that I keep having to go turn off Zane's vacuum, haha! He turns it on vacuums, then leaves it running.

...if you are jealous of my awesome shirt!! Thanks momma!! My Daddy's favorite saying!

"Happy, Happy, Happy"
-Phil Robertson

linking up with Brunch with Amber