Only in Athol....

As I was looking at furniture and appliances on Craigslist, I stumbled upon this beauty.

I've been using this in my shop for years, but recently someone gave me a dorm fridge. Since I really don't need all that much fridge room out in the shop I'm letting this gem go. This is one beautiful fridge as you can see from the picture it's Harvest Gold, which is awesome. Keeps beers cold on the right side, and will freeze the holy crap out of anything you put in the left side. And it's Harvest Gold. Actually one side is spraypainted whiteish. Free as in ZERO dollars to a good home. Contact via email.



Let's just point out the highlights:
"I'm letting this gem go" "it's Harvest Gold, which is awesome" "will freeze the holy crap out of anything you put in the left side" "Actually one side is spraypainted whiteish" "as in ZERO dollars"

I don't even know what to say to this except laugh out loud. Oh Idaho...I love you.

All smiles

Easton is smiling now!!! It takes a bit of persusion but it goes a little something like this....

1. We get his attention

2. We start saying his name and smiling

3. We tickle underneath his chin while smiling still

4. He gives in and gives us his cheeseball "well if you insist" smile...

MELTS MY HEART I tell you...

Is it just me??

So now that i'm a mom I realize with the good comes the bad...the culprit this week: being judgemental. Not that I was 100% judgement free pre-Easton but now I can't look at other babies and not think to myself "Eastons way cuter" or "what a cutie..BUT not as cute as my little man." I even compared him to the gerber baby commercial kids and babies!! (And yes- he is oodles cuter than them all...) It's like he sets the bar and all fall short haha. I am guessing all mom's feel like this but now saying it out loud (slash typing for all the world to see) makes me feel like a terrible person. Do any of you other moms do this?? Am I alone with my baby-judgemental spirit?? And now that he's laughing and smiling, it's like I am falling more in love with this kid! Now everyone I know will probably wonder what I really think of their kids (yes Mer I truly do think Gid is a cutie:)!) but Im just being honest here- anyone else with me on this??

Life here is good as we settle into me working. Like I mentioned, Easton LAUGHED the other day at Patrick (so far Patricks the only one who can make him giggle...not that Im bummed out about that or anything..I mean it's not like I spend all day with him or anything...nope- im not bitter...hehe) but it is just adorable. Its like a giggle that builds up to a straight up laugh! Nothing else is new though :) Hope everyone is gearing up for Christmas ok!

Talent Show

I feel like you never realize when you are a kid that there is really only a small window of time when you can do stupid/silly stuff and it be ok. Lately I have been feeling like choreographing a dance routine (random- I realize but I just bought a cd that has the best of Jock Jams and I find myself saying "5-6-7-8" to the beat of songs like Another Night by Real McCoy and dancing around my kitchen while my son looks at me like I am crazy) but this has got me thinking...why can't adults have talent shows? Why is it only ok for a high school or middle schooler to make a fool of themselves in front of their friends? When you're an adult making a fool of yourself infront of your friends it usually means getting drunk and well since my drinking days are done when do I get to show case my quirks infront of others?? Am I really going to just have to reserve my dances to holding Easton in our kitchen whilest dancing around and singing?? Where might a sober adult who has the urge to be silly showcase her abilities?? When you get married does that mean no more sleep overs with your girlfriends and dancing to Backstreet Boys?? *sigh* Sometimes being an adult is lame.

My new Best Friend

Easton lately has wanted to be held ALL....THE.....TIME...So after weeks (months actually) of contemplating we decided to get a swing from Target with our remaing gift cards. We got the one that goes side to side and I gotta say...despite it taking up my whole living room- he will actually stay in it and just hang out to the sound of waves crashing for a solid chunk of time! AND unlike when I rock him- he doesn't automatically fall asleep in the swing which is an added bonus as we are trying to work on his sleep "schedule" Whoop whoop! So now I can go on and do valuable things with my time..although today I used it to get on Facebook and check my email (and write this blog...) haha. Regardless I feel so lucky to have the means to get these gadgets cause I know it's only because of family and friends that we coulda pulled this off- so for everyone who gave us Target giftcards: Thank you! You've given me some free arm time and let me reconnect with the outside world :)

Blasted Jeans...

So I take out the laundry from the dryer today to find this:

When my mom was here she was SO sweet and bought us new towels (amongst a kajillion other new things..I swear the woman decided Christmas should come early this year..we were so spoiled!) Anywho back to the tragedy of the blue color towel. In my not so smart rush to get some laundry done I threw these new white towels in with my Forever 21 jeans (translation: cheap material) and this is what happend. BAH- now my perfectly good matching set of towels are well..tainted!! Lesson learned-seperate my whites...or buy more expensive jeans :) but considering we are on a budget I think option 1 is the way to go...

In other news- I realized I haven't posted very many pictures of Easton lately so here they are :)

I love cuddle time!

Considering it turned into a winter wonderland overnight here in Northern Idaho- here little man is in his tracksuit from Lita and fun hat from Julie! Im so lucky to have people who love him so much cause poor kid would get Goodwill stuff if only his mommy shopped for him :)

And here is my personal favorite- this is Eastons new "are you serious?" face he gives me :) Man they learn the attitude early don't they?! However- it Does crack me up...
All in all life is good here- we are starting the countdown before returning to work on Dec 6 (yipes!) but I am enjoying every moment I get with him while I get to stay home (ok that's a lie- I don't enjoy waking up every 1/2 hour when SOMEONE decides it would be fun to be up at 2-2:30-3:45 etc...) but all just part of the process :) HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone! We have so much to be thankful for!

Grandpa Easton

Easton is getting so big these days...but as you can see- still no hair on the top of his head :) For now I will love the fact that my little man looks adorable with the grandpa hairdo!

Simply Ridiculous

I have a theory that in order to be part of a marketing team for anything baby related item you have to have a plethora of really cheesey slogans or product names up your sleeve to make it. I mean honestly have you really read lots of the products on the market these days?? They are words that make me feel ridiculous when asking for them..for example "Please pass me the Boppy" "Have you seen the Bumbo?"  I have known these ridiculous names are part of baby stuff but never would have thought they were part of mommy attire too...Yesterday my best friend and I went to a store called Mothers Haven cause I was looking for a nursing bra. Much to my dismay the one that fit the best was called the "Milk-a-licious" bra...Really?!! I mean....REALLY??!?! Do they realize how stupid I felt asking the sales lady for the Milk-a-licious bra in black?? I bet the people who work there just love making people say this..I mean I would if I worked there..What happend to the days when you didn't have to feel like an idiot when shopping for baby gear?? It's ridiculous I tell you..........simply ridiculous!

So thankful for Family

Easton is one spoiled little boy. Not only did his great aunties send him a giftcard to Target (amongst other things too...) BUT once we found out he was a boy- we got MORE presents too!! I am always so sad that we don't live closer to my aunts cause to be honest- they are amazing. The kind of women that I can see myself going shopping with or having coffee with...and despite the distance I would still say they are in my top 5 people we get to see when we are in Colorado (now if only my aunt Kedran lived in Colorado too..) Their kids are always so fun to be around and just GOOD kids (any tips??) and they truly value having a close family. I keep thinking- I want our family to be like that. I want to do Cupcake competitions and thanksgiving dinners...I want to go to softball tournaments for my nieces or nephews...I want to go to graduations and weddings and showers for them to make them know how special they are to me- just like my aunts do for me. Well with one sister planning on living overseas I would say I have my work cut out for me...Praise God for skype though right?? :)

Speaking of the sister that is going to live overseas- Let me just say- I am SOO blessed to have a sis that is so gifted with photography! She took some AMAZING pictures of Easton and our family when she was up here too...I think the ones of me are a little too soon after giving birth if you know what I mean- but we will  try again at Christmas and for now I have some GREAT pictures of Easton as a newborn. Here are just a few:

Nov 19...

Yep.... I am a dork. I am ok with it though. I mean, I might say things like "they are going to form a coop" (as in chicken coop) and my dear sweet husband needs to inform me it's called a coup not a coop (how was I supposed to know the p is silent?!) and I may on occasion think songs that came out in 1999 are new releases BUT it's all part of what makes me...me. SO I just wanted to give a little shout out to all you other dorks out there who love HP (if I have to describe to you what that stands for you obviously aren't die hard..) and let you know that yes my friends Nov 19 is rapidly approaching and yes I started re-reading Deathly Hallows today just to make sure I am up to speed with the last book before I go see the movies :)

HOORAY!!!!

Visitors for Mr.Bright Eyes

The best thing these days are Eastons awake time. Despite his receeding hairline :) he gets cuter and cuter each day (I MIGHT be a bit bias here though...) I think little mans eyes are one of my favorite things about him. He can now focus on one thing (granted not for long..) but melts my heart when he catches eye contact with me and just stares at me with his bright eyes with a look of wonder and awe. It's amazing how fast they grow! I know I have heard mom's say this all the time but I really didn't realize it until now when it seems like he keeps getting bigger and bigger by the day! But on the other hand- so fun because now his personality is coming out!
In other news- the girls (Kirst and Jord) left today. Family leaving always leaves me missing them more and more but SO great that the break between seeing them this time is only a month and a half. It makes it easier I guess knowing time between visits isn't undetermined (like it will be after Christmas...but let's cross that bridge when we come to it) I got to meet sweet Piper Jane and hear some great stories about my nieces and nephew. It was I think the first time we had a true sibling trip which is always fun too. My brother-in-laws and parents were definately missed but it is so rare we get visits like this that I cherished the time we could hang out and make Sonic runs (we might need to do an intervention with Kirst...I didn't realize the severity of her addiction :) haha!) or taking pictures (thanks Jord!) and just hanging out having great food thanks to the girls. I am so thankful to have a family that care so much about Easton, Patrick and I that they would take time out of their lives and time away from their family to come and help us out. I hope Easton gets to have the same sibling relationships that I have cause I can't imagine my life without Adj and his humor, Jord and her creativity, and Kirst and her wisdom. NOT to say I am ready to have more babies yet..cause THAT would be....interesting for sure :). Anywho- all this to say I am so so thankful for my sisters coming up and getting to see Adam and Trish so much this week...they are pretty great and I am so lucky they aren't only family but a few of my best friends.
*I would post a picture of their time up here but in CLASSIC Keje fashion I left the picture taking to the pros and I have ZERO pictures of their visit up here...the downside is I never have pictures myself!

Life at home :)

I can't describe how great it is to be home. I love being in our own bed. I love showering in my own shower. I love having my own closet to choose what I want to wear not confined to a suitcase. I love using all of Eastons cute outfits. I love Ellie is here and being the best doggie in the whole world to her little brother. I love everything about being  home :) What a blessing. Thank you for all your prayers...his first doc appt went really well. The little porker is already up to 8 lbs 8 oz! Needless to say breastfeeding is going great (minus engorgement but let's be honest it's all just part of the process...) and we are finding our rhythm slowly but surely (now if only i could get out of the house before 9a...) Hooray for being legit parents! :)

Baby steps with Easton James

So I think there is something about being a first time parent that everyone always has their two cents on how you should do it...from day one of pregnancy everyone is always letting you know "what's best". Whether it's what pump to buy or best ways to get through labor or how to do sleep training everyone has something to say :) THEN you add on top of that what You think parenting will look like and how you will want things to go...


Then you welcome in this new little person and your life changes upside down. THEN you add him being in the hospital sick and all your "plans" go out the window and the fact that he is given a bottle and a pacifier doesn't matter anymore cause all that matters is that he gets better. I have been really praying these last few days about my preconceived notions on "what being a good parent" are and that they wouldn't ever trump what it takes for this little guy to get better. Then I realized we are given the best parenting advice in Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight."

Yep...God is good and I will trust in Him. He is in control and we praise him for our little gift.

Now if only we could get out of the hospital..... :) Like I said though...Baby steps

Coupon

Ok so I realize I have a tendency to do this but I might have gone overboard on two coupons I found this week.. with a very embarassed husband I checked out with TEN bags of Purina Beggin Strips for Ellie today at Trading Co. and EIGHTEEN Air Freshners Hahaha. They were buy one get one free with a $1 off coupon which comes to a whopping $1.25 for a bag of nice treats and Buy 3 get 3 free for the freshners :) Since I love air freshners but can no longer spend $5 on scent bugs from Bath and Body Works I decided to embrace the ones I can get for 50 cents....at least I am trying here. and YES Ellie has her Christmas present(s) a little early and YES the guy checking me out looked at me like I was nuts...which I probably am a bit but I will blaim that on being pregnant (what's going to happen when I can't use that excuse?!?)  Good thing I didn't use my 5 coupons I have for $4 off Sinex products...he might think I was making drugs or something haha. But hey all together today I saved over $70 from coupons so...I would consider it a successful shopping day :)

It's the little things...

So I think there are a ton of things in life that are really really random that are small and yet GLORIOUS. Like for example- getting movie theater tickets at Tomato Street for cheap...why an italian restraunt has decided to carry discount theater tickets is a mystery to me but hey I won't complain. My best friend Meredith introduced me to another one of these hidden treasures recently..have you ever had the Raspberry Peach Bellini tea at Olive Garden? If you haven't- you are missing out cause they are delish! HOWEVER even better you can BUY the Raspberry Peach Bellini Syrup at Olive Garden and enjoy the glorious drink whenever you want (for example when you are enjoying a Little Ceasars Hot-N-Ready pizza you got for $3 and catching up on your One Tree Hill episodes online...just an example though...) at home. All this to say I love enjoying the little things...cause sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference :)

Crossing over to the dark side...

So I am making no promises on how often this will be updated...but I know how much I love looking at my sisters and sister-in-laws blog to see the everyday happenings in their lives (and Trish LIVES in the same town as I do and I STILL love seeing her updates!!) so I figured it might be useful with the baby almost here (?! Hopefully?!) and all. I am really trying to get better at taking pictures and maybe sharing small events it will make the distance from family seem less if they know what goes on weekly in our house. So here I am blog world...still not so sure how I feel about this.... :)

So with not much to share yet...I will share a picture of what I came downstairs to this lazy Sunday afternoon :) No Els isn't allowed on the couch, but apparently decided it just looked too comfy to resist. I don't blaim her...

*Please note the color filter on the camera is STILL on...and yes it's because I don't know how to turn it off hahaha.Classic