Wordless Wednesday

Early Spring Fun

We have had several good weekends of warm weather and we have taken full advantage of them.  We've been grilling outside quite a bit and Nicholas has developed a love of warm weather and being outside.  He LOVES going to the playground and playing on the slide.  

He was so tired after his day outside that he came in, turned on Mickey himself and kicked back.  Melt my heart!

Unfortunately, my heart didn't stay melted...he is also showing signs of the terrible twos and was quite upset that there was no more fish sticks and mashed potatoes!

St. Patrick's Day Ledford Style

We had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.  Nicholas sported his Kiss Me I'm Irish shirt to school the day before and I think he is quite the cute little Irishman!  My mom is almost all Irish with the exception of an American Indian great grandmother, so his shirt is kind of true.  Cracks me up!

On the actual day, I shopped the Just Between Friends presale and Nicole scored this AWESOME tricycle for me the night before when she shopped.  Nicholas has rode it 100 miles in the past week!

I wanted to cook a traditional Irish meal, but couldn't find any corned beef, so we just had pot roast, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.  Oops!  Ha!

IPhone Photo Catch Up Post

I'm so behind...yet again! Life is just too busy for me sometimes and something has to suffer for it. Unfortunately, it's the ole blog. Nicholas is becoming more and more fun every single day. However, with that comes more and more busy. I'm not even sure where to begin to get caught up, so here is the past month in iPhone pics.

Lets see... N had a little run in with a classmate and had a nice little bite to the face.  However, I think he is just the cutest little lion EVER!

PTL!  Nana has realized she really enjoys and loves her new apartment.  We went to see her the week after she moved in and Nicholas spent the day using her vacuum.  :-)

He also missed his nap that afternoon, so this is what happened at dinner that night.

Nicholas has developed a love of hats.  Here he is sporting his monkey hat with his monkey pj pants the night before Valentine's Day (no fear, he went to bed with his shirt on.)

Valentine's Day was a good one for us.  N wore his Little Heartbreaker onesie and red pants to school.  PRECIOUS!

My boys also gave me a necklace for Valentine's Day.  They are the BEST and I am very lucky to have such a wonderful husband and son.

As you all know, I have developed quite the fear of storms/tornadoes over the past five years.  Well, on March 2, this is what I saw on my phone...

Our area had a few tornadoes that day, but the worst one occurred around 1:00 in the area I grew up in.  Thank goodness my parents no longer live in our old house, but this is a picture I stole from a news site of the scene less than 200 yds from our old house.  Thankfully, no one was killed, although there were a few injuries and a lot of destroyed homes.

I just find this funny.  He is wearing a makeup bag as a hat, a piece of his foam mat as a tutu, and his sleeper.  I was getting dressed and came out to find this...

My hug magnet and I

Sweet baby had a bad sinus infection and bronchitis on March 8.  We stayed home from school and work and spent the day being lazy and going to the doctor.  Bless his heart, this weather is NOT for him.

That is our past six weeks in a nutshell.  More posts coming this week, so be sure to check back often!

Jack and Jill Sale = HUGE Success!

Our town has two sales that I LOVE. There are several others, but these two are my personal favorites. The presale for sale #1 was on Saturday and let me tell you, I racked up! Michael had to work, so I dropped N off with my parents at 8:30, ran through Dunkin Donuts for a coffee, and got in the line around 9. I was somewhere near #20 in line and that was great considering it had over 150 by the time the doors opened at 10! I spent my wait with my friend Courtney who was buying for her little boy Jake. When the doors did open I ran to the tricycles, but sadly, they had already sold the one I knew they had during the volunteer shop Friday night. :-( From there I went to the clothes. I couldn't be any happier with my deals!

 I ended up with 17 outfits! All of which were under $5 except for one and all are Gymboree, Gap, Carter's, or Polo. I am also looking for vintage race car items for N's room during this consignment season.

I stumbled upon this and matching bookends right before I left. It looks AWESOME in his room! This week is dropoff and the presale for my favorite sale. I can only hope I do as well there! I am working dropoff on Wednesday, so I can assure you that I will be checking out all of the 24m-2T stuff coming in! :-)

The Best Thing Can Be The Hardest Thing

Once upon a time there were two little old ladies, Myrtle and Louella. They would dress up in their finest and meet at various places for tea (even once on a bench at the zoo!). Then one day Louella had to watch Myrtle suffer from an ugly disease, dementia...

For those of you who follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you know the past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me and that I've watched my mom make the hardest decision she will ever make. We had to make the decision to put my Nana in an assisted living facility & with that came a reality that I can no longer ignore. I've spent the past nine years believing, take that back, I knew better, WANTING to believe my Nana was ok. In fact, she wasn't. The reality is that MY Nana that was always my best friend, my biggest fan, the person I always called first, had changed and wasn't the same person any longer.

No, she hasn't moved on to heaven and I'm thankful for that, but the person that she has always been is not still here. She still know us, loves us the same, but it is different. She wouldn't know what to say or how to act if I called with huge news. She just wouldn't get it. She can no longer live alone. That is the big one. My Nana is known for her independence and domineering ways. That is gone. Ultimately that is the hardest part for me.

I could never begin to put into words the relationship I have with my Nana. I'm sure so many others have a similar relationship with their grandmother. She has always been there for me and she has always dropped whatever, whenever to run if I needed her.  I didn't have a relationship at all with my other grandmother and I believe that is one reason why I have always been the center of her universe. I have two cousins who I know she loves just as much as she loves me, but our relationship was always different.

When I was born, I was the only grandchild for five years. It seems as though i only went to my house to sleep...when they made me go! She picked me up from daycare almost every day, we played dress up, we sang songs, & even watched soaps together (i was in preschool). We had a game we played where we pretended to be two old ladies meeting for tea. I was Louella Snodgrass & she was Myrtle Higgonbottom (don't ask, I have no clue! Ha!). She has always called me Luella, even as recently as a few months ago. I guess the time has come for Louella & Myrtle to have tea in the old folks home! It was bound to happen, considering they've been old ladies for 30 years! Hahaha!

Of everything I can say about my Nana, she loves the Lord with all of her heart...even more than she does her family. She was always very active in her church & made sure we loved God too. I can't remember a time in my life that she didn't tell me to always love Him first, my family second, & never let anyone run over me because God will always give me the strength to handle anything and anyone. Such wise words! :-)

No matter when The Lord decides to take her home, I think part of me has already started to mourn the loss of MY Nana, my Myrtle, my biggest fan. I plan to make the time I have left with her as meaningful as I can. I am so blessed to be able to call her my Nana and I thank the Lord everyday for making me just like her.

The Best Job Ever

Last weekend I finally watched the movie I Don't Know How She Does It.  It was almost scary how much I can relate to this movie.  It made me really think about all that I juggle and I wanted to write a post about it.

Lately I have begun to really feel accomplished and in a groove as a work outside the home Mommy.  I had my annual review at work a few weeks ago and it made it was clear to me that it has finally all come together and that I have a hold of it all.   It has taken 16 months since I went back to work, but I finally think I've got this now!  I feel as though the Lord has blessed me with two very rewarding full time jobs.  I work 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday seeing miracles in action as I watch trauma surgeons literally save lives as a registered nurse working beside two awesome trauma surgeons at a busy level one trauma center and I work 24/7 (even while I'm working my other job) as a Mommy of a very busy, but sweet toddler boy. I love that I have a job outside the home where I get to have adult interaction, keep a sense of self worth, and get to come home to a baby that is so excited to see me as soon as I walk in the door.

Don't get me wrong, yes there are days I'd love to stay at home and not have to spend so much time at night or on the weekends running errands, doing laundry, or just stay at home, but overall I love having two full time jobs.  I have 100% full respect for those that are SAHMs, but it isn't for me.  I hate to admit this, but when it was time to go back to work at the end of maternity leave, I was ready.  I was ready to get on a routine, have an adult conversation and for Nicholas to be able to be with other children during the day and learn much more than I could ever teach him at home. I couldn't keep myself on a routine if I were at home, I wouldn't have the   I love how accomplished I feel at the end of the day that I can keep our household afloat and on a strict schedule, dinner on the table, manage the schedule of two very busy trauma surgeons,  and manage the care their patients and  my child loves me just the same as if he had been at home all day with me.

Nicholas loves "school" and being with his friends.  In the morning when it is time to leave we tell him it's time to go to school and he literally yells "YAY" and runs to the door.  He happily walks down the hall to his class and barely even tells me bye anymore.  I'm ok with that.  It's all worth it at the end of the day when he is so excited to see me and he jumps up to give me a big hug and a kiss.

With all of that being said, I LOVE being a Mommy.  It is far and away my favorite "job", but it is so, so much more than that.  I view motherhood as my true calling and what I was born to do.  That is why I prayed so hard all of that time we were faced with infertility.  I have gone from keeping our house and laundry impeccable to just getting by, and that is ok. All I want to do when I get home is love and cuddle with my sweet boy!  I feel like the Lord has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined by giving me the two best "jobs" ever!

A New Era Begins, Part One

For some reason this post got posted without any of the content...no clue!  Oh well, let's try this again! 

For about the past two or three months, Nicholas has had a very hard time staying asleep and seemed very uncomfortable in his crib.  He has always been an EXCELLENT sleeper (well, once we got his reflux/milk allergy under control) and has slept through the night every.single.night but one since he was 11 weeks old, so I knew there had to be something up.  At the first of the year I made the decision to start looking for a "big boy bed".  When we found out he was a boy we decided he just HAD to have a car bed when the time came.  I hit the Craigslist jackpot and found this twin bed in excellent condition for only $50!!!!

Last Friday, January 20, we set it up and moved out his crib.  He seems to love it!

I have to admit.  I had to take a break and cry while taking his bumper and sheets out of his crib.  I spent two and a half years planning this nursery, how could I just take it all apart in a matter of minutes.  It absolutely broke my heart that after all of the time I spent planning it and all of the memories that room held, it was time to move on to the next chapter.  The week before we moved his glider out to make room for a new dresser and I just HAD to rock him once more (it is rare that we do that, he probably thought I had lost my mind).  I cried a lot thinking of how far we had come since the day he came home...

 As soon as we got home on July 4, 2010 I laid him in his crib to get a few pictures of him next to his monogram.  He also took his first nap in his bed that afternoon.  How was my baby ever THAT small?!

 I could not be any more proud of my BIG BOY!  He LOVES his bed and loves to show it off to anyone that comes by!  More importantly, he has transitioned like I never dreamed he would.  The first night he slept 12 hours without a single whimper...HUGE accomplishment for the baby that has been crying out several times a night for months.  The next day he took TWO naps (not just one) in his bed and did great!  From that point on, he has never looked back!  We have now made it an entire week and not one bad night or problem to speak of!!!!  Poor boy was just too big for his crib!!!

About a year ago it was time to get my canvas from Kim Wheeler.  I wanted something that would grow with him, so I went ahead and picked out his quilt from PBK and have the canvas match it and his crib bedding.  I found the quilt on eBay the day after we bought his bed and it is so cute and just perfect for his room and personality.  I love how it looks all together.

 Last Sunday after two successful days and nights in the "big boy bed" we took his crib apart and moved it to the attic.  I wanted one more picture of him by his crib.  Oh my sad heart!

Yes, my "big boy" has a paci in his mouth in all of these pictures.  He was sick that entire weekend with a double ear and sinus infection.  He is allowed his paci when he is sick, otherwise it is only at nap and bedtime.  :-)

There are still some more changes to go and a few projects I am working on for his room.  I am planning a part 2 to this blog in a month or two when it all gets completed with details.  

Happy 18 Months Sweet Nicholas

My dear, sweet Nicholas, how are you already half way to your second birthday?  My heart gets sad when I think about how old you are and how big you are getting to be.  It seems like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital and thought you were HUGE at almost 9 pounds, now you really are a BIG BOY at 26 pounds, 7 ounces, and 35.5 inches.  You are in the 100th percentile for height, weight, and 90th percentile for head circumference.

You are quite a little mess, but figuratively and literally! Ha!  You are VERY busy and all boy and I love it! I wouldn't want it any other way!!!  We have so much fun with you.  You have developed an adorable little personality.  You laugh all of the time and very rarely cry (unless you are extremely tired or hungry).  People stop us when we are out and about to tell us how cute and happy you are.  That always makes me happy that people can tell what a good baby you are.  You LOVE to gabber, but in the past month you've started talking a lot more.  You now say Mama, Daddy, Gigi, dog, hi, bye bye, more, thank you, you're welcome, boom, book, baby, go, cheese, and several other things I just can't think of right now.

You love to mimic what we are doing.  You always enjoy walking around "talking" on our iphones and the house phone.  Every time you see your Gigi the 1st thing you want to do is ask for her phone.  Dancing has become another favorite of yours.  Puzzles and coloring are becoming favorites as well.  Your favorite toys right now are your kitchen, Little People sets, and Cozy Coupe.  You still love going to school.  You moved up to the Caterpillar class at 18 months.  You still sleep on a mat and eat at the table.  Within the past month you've started walking into school and straight to your room.  You love to wave and say "HI!" to everyone we pass in the hallway in the morning and "BYE!" in the afternoon.  When I walk in your room at the end of the day you've started running up to me screaming "HI MAMA!"  Makes my day Every.Single.Day!!!

You are still quite the little eater, or maybe I should say BIG eater!  You love everything, but your favorite foods seem to be taco soup and chicken spaghetti.  Grilled cheese dipped in tomato soup seem to be running a close second.  You are still a little picky about veggies, so I've been giving you Gerber Grabbers and you LOVE them.  It is such an easy way to get your fruits and veggies in for the day.

Daddy has been working a lot more.  You love it when Daddy gets home before you go to bed.  Your routine is still pretty much the same.  During the week, you get up around 7, eat a banana and drink some milk, Daddy gets you dressed and ready for school while I finish getting ready.  We leave around 7:25 and get to school by 8. I pick you up around 5 and we get home around 5:30.  You play while I finish dinner, eat, then bath.  Our bedtime routine is to brush your teeth, put on your pjs, read a book, say your prayers, and after I turn on your sound machine you just go to sleep on your own around 7:30. On the weekend you sleep until 8 or 9:00.  I am very proud of how independent you are and what a good sleeper you've always been.

You are in 18-24 month clothes at Carter's, Gymboree, Gap, and Old Navy along with some 2T things in boutique brands.  You are still in size 4 slip on diapers and recently moved up to size 5 at night.

I love the little man you've become and I can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring until you are TWO!!!!  We love you and thank you for making me the Mommy I've always wanted to be!

Christmas Day 2011

We got a wonderful Christmas present from Nicholas...he slept until 8:30!!! I had already gotten up and had our breakfast ready to go.  We had a Christmas standard in my family, sausage rolls.  Think a Jelly roll, but instead sausage and biscuit.  YUM!

 As soon as he finished eating we set the camcorder and led him into the living room to find his presents from Santa.

Nicholas got me a wonderful gift.  It is a stackable mother's ring.  It has his name, birthdate, and birthstone.  I LOVE IT!  It looks lonely by itself, so I've been stacking it with my wedding set.

This picture just makes me laugh. He got a TN hat in his stocking and he wore it the rest of present time! Ha!

 After we opened presents and played with our new toys, we went over to my parents to see what Santa left there.  Nicholas is a very lucky little man.  Santa brought him a Pottery Barn Anywhere chair there!

 Nicholas had more gifts than one little boy every should from them.  We are very blessed.

 Here is Nicholas with his Grandpa and Gigi in front of their tree.

 After naptime, my extended family came over for our Christmas.  Of course, Nicholas was the center of attention...again.

 He loved his new sunglasses.  He is still incredibly cool, even with a paci!

 He had a little accident and threw up on his outfit, so he had to have a wardrobe change into his pjs.

 We got all of the Great Grandparents a framed picture of Nicholas and a calendar with pictures of his last year.  They loved them.  Here is my Nana opening hers.

 Our family on Christmas night.

 Here is a funny picture for you.  A few days before Christmas I noticed that one of my Barbie ornaments off of my big tree was missing.  I found her here...

What can I say, Barbie loves Jesus.

Our family had a very Merry Christmas and we hope you did as well!  May you all have a very happy New Year and wonderful 2012!  Thanks for reading about our little family and I hope to do much better in 2012 keeping you all up to date.