More outdoor experiences

Not too fond of grass...just yet.

Friday was so nice, getting us ready for Saturday, so I decided to take Chase outside after dinner to play, well I played and he just wasn't too sure what to think about the great outdoors. Grant it he's been out many times but not with his barefeet. It was so funny. I wasn't sure how he would react but I had an inkling that he wouldn't like it too much. And I was right.
He is all boy but this was just too different for him. He must have his daddy's feet because mommy loves the great outdoors and going barefoot. Next time he'll like it.

Chase 1st Birthday Party Invite

Ok, so I am a horrible person. I ran into Julia tonight and she asked when Chase's birthday was. Well, his big 1st birthday is this Saturday. And how horrible for me not to invite my fellow blogging friends who have been such a part of his life, online and not. So, though it may be late, you are all invited to join us in celebrating his first year. Just let me know if you plan on coming so I can plan accordingly. No gifts are needed. Chase has plenty and I'm sure Grammies, Papas, Nonnies, etc. will spoil him.

If you would like to join us drop me an email: dawnsal526@hotmail.com

Our new bedtime troubles

So bedtime has been simple the past few months, for the most part Chase goes down pretty easy and doesn't wake up until around 5:30am. Not this week, he has now shifted gears.

As we know, Chase has a horrible time teething, he won't eat, real well, he fusses with his bottle, and he is just uncomfortable. Tonight he was real tired and we started the bedtime routine at around 8, he usually is asleep by 8:30. He wouldn't take his bottle and just wanted to jabber. So after four books, singing and rocking I layed him down. He was awake and started to fuss. I left his room and he whined, not cry, but whined. He continued this for about 10 minutes and then Brad decided to try to get him to take his bottle, which he drank but not all of it. And it didn't matter, he cried when Brad left but only for a few minutes, then silence. We were so happy he fell asleep...so we thought.

A few minutes later..."dadyyyyy" and then fussing, then nothing. We knew he must be playing or something, so we peaked up and the little booger was turning his light on and off. He had figured out how to work the light switch. Obviously his crib is right next to the switch but it hasn't been an issue until this week. He was just turning it "off and on" "off and on". So I just let him play expecting him to just fall asleep. Thirty minutes later...complete silence. I went to his room to check on him and turn off the light. I expected to see a passed out baby soundly sleeping. Nope. Rather he was just sitting there, playing with his feet. He looked up at me and said "nonny" his version of mommy. He was so tired, I was so sad for him. I knew he must be uncomfortable. I tried the bottle again, he wouldn't take it. I tried rocking, singing, swaying and then layed him down...still no sleeping baby.

My last alternative before Motrin/Tylenol...Orajel. Finally, relief. He took his bottle and couldn't fall asleep fast enough. An hour later, 9:23pm to be exact, he was sleeping. I just feel so bad for him that teething is so difficult and painful. With only four teeth, he has how many to go? Great.

Daddy where are you?

Sunday afternoon Chase and I were inside playing/cleaning, well let me rephrase that, Chase was playing while I was cleaning. But I played too, actually I played just as much. Well anyway, while "we" played Brad was outside working on his race car. I went to the kitchen for something and when I came back this is what Chase was doing and yelling "dadyyyy".




When Brad brings in wood he always knocks and talks to Chase through this window. So he pulled himself up and yelled for daddy. It so so stinkin' cute. I guess I'm just too boring for him. But I just think he loves his daddy so much and wanted to say "hi".

So excited!

Next month, May 26 to be exact, Brad and I will be celebrating our 9 year anniversary. We don't normally go all out to celebrate, ususally something simple. But this year I decided I wanted to do something more. We didn't go on our normal "winter" vacation and I am itching to get away. It's been over a year since we've gotten "away" so I thought it would be nice to get away for one night, just Brad and I. This will be interesting because we haven't been away from Chase overnight before and our longest date was just dinner and a movie. But I am excited nonetheless, my mom and dad are going to come to our house for the night so Chase can sleep in his own bed. I know he'll be fine and old enough but the first time will be the hardest, of course.




So where are we going for the one night to celebrate? Niagara Falls. I've been there many times but never overnight. We are going to stay at the Marriott overlooking the falls. I'm so very excited. The room I reserved has a fireplace and jacuzzi somewhere on floors 12-18. It will be like a mini honeymoon. This is the picture on the website. Hopefully our room will be just as beautiful with an awesome view of the falls. We are going next weekend since racing starts in May so we are going before all the birthdays, Chase 1st, May 5 and Brad's 30th, May 8. I really didn't want to go this early because I am planning Chase's birthday but we compromised so that Brad doesn't miss any practice/race time. That's marriage....compromise.

5/23/09...Sad to say Brad and I never did get our anniversary get-away. Lil man was sick and I didn't want to leave him. So another time.

My solemn vow

The other night Brad and I watched "Fireproof" the christian based movie about marriage featuring Kirk Cameron. It was such a good movie with a great, awesome message. No matter where you are in your marriage or how your marriage is doing, this movie hits every area. It was so real and every married couple could relate. It spoke of salvation, marriage vows, not giving up, and honoring our "solemn vow." It was amazing how it touched both Brad and I and made us think and ask "what more can we do for each other?" It was a great sublte reminder of how important our marriage vows are and that marriage takes work, everyday. It made me appreciate our marriage more and Brad too.

May 26, 2000

PCC Fall 1997
Our Florida beaches 2003
Hurlburt Field FL, our first home 2001
Katie and Jeff's Wedding 2003 Our Family November 2008

Here's a little excerpt about the movie.

About FIREPROOF
At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules.

Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter...just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being "good enough" for her husband. Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.

As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: "The Love Dare." Wondering if it's even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father's sake more than for his marriage.

When Caleb discovers the book's daily challenges are tied into his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened.While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again.

He finally asks his father, "How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?"When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God's help he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.

But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever...rescuing his wife's heart.

So thankful for

• A beautiful, healthy baby boy
• A loving husband, my love, my all
• Great friends and church family
• A loving family, even with all our crazinesses and issues
• Great in-laws, every.one.of.them.
• A beautiful home in the country with a gorgeous view
• Siding on my home
• Summer is almost here
• An almost new dishwasher, so nice
• A great stroller that runs smooth
• A great employer
• My almost finished workout room
• My new weight bench
• My health
• I am able to exercise and run
• Chase enjoys tagging along with me in the stroller
• Brad and Chase are both healthy
• Our upcoming "date" night to Niagara Falls
• God has blessed me in so many ways
• Great animals, even Baxter, I guess
• Laptops
• Contacts
• Our freedom to...count the many freedoms we have.
• Those who fight for our freedom
• A warm, cozy home
• The beautiful Gulf of Mexico, or any ocean
• The mountains
• Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring
• My eyesight to be able to enjoy all the seasons and the beauty that surrounds
• Good vehicles
• A surprise hardwood floors
• A husband who is my best friend and high school sweetheart
• The opportunity to serve alongside my hubby in the Air Force
• The opportunity to live in Florida and North Carolina
• A wonderful department at work
• The ability to read
• The chance to be pregnant the same time as my BFF, even though we never see eachother anymore
• Enjoying every single minute, hour, day with my baby boy and hubby

The list can just go on and on. I just needed a reminder of everything I do have and to be thankful for. I needed a refresher on my word for the year..."want" and a reminder of everything wonderful in my life. I may not have the newest and best but I have exactly what I need and more. I've been blessed in more ways than one and need to remember that. I need to remember everything will happen in God's timing, not mine, and his will be done.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Oldie but goodie.

Where to begin...

I took the day off today to spend some time with my baby boy and Brad too. He had Friday off and decided to take off Monday as well. I really didn't have anything planned, just some minor spring cleaning, if there's such a thing. The morning actually started off nice, late, but nice, we all slept in until 9am. Chase hasn't been feeling well due to an ear infection but the medicine is helping and he finally was able to rest. So it was a lazy morning to start, Brad fed Chase his breakfast while I did some quick vacuuming. I had planned to go to Lu's Backdoor to drop off some clothes but I had to first iron them all and hang them. After all this, it was time for Chase's nap, so I thought. He wasn't going down without a fight so I got him back up and let him play a little longer until he was really sleepy. Finally around 2pm I gave him his bottle and he zonked out. I then power cleaned and enjoyed lunch with Brad.

After about and hour and a half I heard him cry so I went upstairs to get him. But he really wasn't awake yet, he was just wimpering and still tired. But he saw me and started to climb his crib. I picked him up and he fell right back to sleep. I knew as soon as I put him down he would wake up so I held him for the next 20 minutes. I stopped thinking about the cleaning that needed to be done and just enjoyed the time snuggling with Chase. It was so precious. He squirmed a bit and just laid in my arms. I rocked him and stared at his eye fluttering, lips moving and then I noticed the poor baby was touching his soar ear. Even while he slept he was tugging at it. Besides touching his ear he looked so peaceful, I wondered what he was dreaming as his mouth quivered and eyes fluttered.

My major project for the day was "cleaning" the office. This is the same room that I ripped the carpet out and found hardwood. And also in this room is an unfinished wall, so I had to clear the area all around that wall so we can finish it before we finish the floors. While I straightened the room Chase happily played in his room across the hall. I got his book crate out so that he could dig through all his books. Well digging he did. I peeked in on him to see what he was doing and this is what I found.

He was reaching for a cookie that he dropped. You would have thought he would've started crying, but no. Instead he just reached over and ate some of the crumbs of the cookie while half upside down. And yes, I feed my child but apparently he really wanted this cookie. He was pretty content for a few minutes but finally got frustrated.

Today was such a full day and we didn't go anywhere, not even outside until about 6:30pm when Chase and I went and got the mail. I love days like these and wish they were more often. I love just spending the day with my boys and getting things accomplished.

Oh, Brad was outside in the garage all day getting his car ready for the race season. He popped in now and again, for food of course. Chase would get all excited and yell "Dad-dyy!"

Where'd the noodle go?

Happy eleven months Chase!

Dear baby boy,

Is it true? Are you really eleven months old today? It seems as if just yesterday you were growing in my belly and now you are trying to walk, talk and such a little man. You're so full of life and a little pistol. I'm always saying your such a "pistol" and you definitely live up to that. You are into everything and so inquisitive.

Now that you stand up in your crib, that is all you want to do. I lie you down to bed and you stand up immediately. You walk over to the edge of the crib, near the door, and cry. It's so funny how you know where to go to be the loudest.

You love to feed yourself, so independent. But since you just got your top two teeth a few weeks ago, it can be difficult to find fingerfood you can gum.

You love cheese and cheese and more cheese, white American cheese that is. As soon as I grab a piece out of the fridge, you get so excited.

The other day I gave you a handful of soft peas and you squeezed every single one of them. Maybe one or two made it into your mouth.

You still love your avacado. I try to get creative and mix it with plain yogurt, bananas, cream cheese, tomatoes and melon.

You will NOT lay still when getting your diaper/clothes changed. It is very difficult.

You absolutely love balls. We try to keep a stash all over the house.

You say "daa-dyyyy". Daddy was so excited but really you say "da-dddyy" for me too. We've been trying teach you to say "mommy" but you haven't yet. You only say your "m's" when you're eating. I think it's because mommy always says 'Is that yummy?" "yum" "yum". So you say...mmm and mama but only when you eat. It's too funny.

You say "kidddyyy" too for kitty.

You love bathtime and your mini basketball hoop. We play and play, but then you start to wrinkle so it's time to get out.

Everytime you "escape" the living/play room you head right for the stairs.

You are a crazy driver in your Jeep, here, there and everywhere.

You love to help mommy "fold" laundry, but it is more like "unfolding" laundry.

You try to say and do what mommy does. I was blowing at you and you would blow back.

One thing though, you have now reverted back to your old ways of being complicated when it's time for bed. You were doing so well, we would just lie you down and off to sleep you went. But now you fuss, stand up and cry. So it takes a couple of times for us to get you to zonk out. You're just too excited about life and don't want to miss a minute.

I can't believe that I am planning your 1st birthday already. You're such a joy and so much fun. I can't wait until it warms up and we can play outside, go for walks, picnics, and camping.

I love you so much and am so thankful God gave you to daddy and I.

Chase helping around the house...kind of

Today was such a cold, snowy, yucky day and it's April mind you. Days like this make me miss my southern homes, Florida and North Carolina. But I digress and complain.

Anyway after my bi-weekly grocery trip, I stayed in the rest of the day cleaning and baking. After I fed Chase his lunch, I put him in his Jeep and let him roam while I baked breakfast for Sunday school. He watched me while I baked, went in and out of the frig, put dishes in the dishwasher, etc. I had the dishwasher open and turned away, before I knew it, Chase was "helping" me put away dishes and decided he wanted a snack from the frig. Never a dull moment with an elventh month old. And I hear it just gets better. :)

Notice his Jeep is over the dishwasher.

Chase "made" me the big "I love you" card on the frig. It is so adorable, it even has his feet and hands inked inside.

Giggling while getting his 4th haircut

A pleasant surprise

Last night I tore out the carpet in our office with plans of replacing it, but to my amazement their was hardwood floors hiding under the carpet. They're in pretty rough shape with plaster all over them but nothing a sander and some stain can't fix. So sometime in the next month or so we will be refinishing the floor. I am so excited. I was hoping there would be hardwood but had no idea.