Bobby's Fall Activities

Although it is nearly the weekend again, I had intended to do a weekend recap today. However, my pictures are taking forever to upload; so, I'm going to just write about our fall activities. I suppose I can do one giant weekend recap post, after this Halloween weekend.

I am really enjoying my time home with Bobby as he gets older. He is noticeably learning and saying new things each day. I am simply fascinated by how much his little brain processes. He's really coming out of his shell too. I know kids are resilient, but I think our crazy traveling schedule last month really did a number on him!

Anyhow, as I just mentioned, he is such a sponge. So, with that being said, I made sure to stack our schedule with activities this fall. He's not in MDO. And, I'm not planning on starting him in school until at least next August. It was important for me to give him daily interactions with other kids. Thankfully, just our neighborhood alone is sometimes suffice!

This fall, Bobby is again doing a semester of Kindermusik. He loves going, and the benefits of having your child involved in some kind of music curriculum is overwhelming {at least that's what all the important studies say} - Ha!

Kindermusik's website states, "You and your child will play, listen, and dance to musical activities specifically designed to stimulate early childhood development and strengthen neural pathways in your child's mind."

We are also attending story time twice a week at our local library. The first class is tailored specifically to 1 year olds, and is limited. We sing songs, read books, and eat a snack. The story time has a theme each week, and lasts thirty minutes. The second class is open to anyone, and is for kids 3 and under. It too has a theme, with songs, puppets, and stories. We usually will spend some time playing in the preschool area of the library after class, and pick out books for the week. It is funny because we will often run into neighborhood friends, or even friends from Kindermusik. We live in such a small town, I feel like sometimes...!

The last scheduled activity is play group. Play group is super casual, and often held outside (park or pool) or someone's house. We've been doing play group for almost a year, now that I think about it! It is fun, and I really enjoy this activity because I can catch up with my good friends too.

So, overall we are busy four days a week, which is perfect. I never feel rushed to get things done, and it still leaves a good amount of time to run errands and do our day to day stuff. This is beneficial, especially since I work most Saturdays.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to Halloween this year! Bobby is going as a puppy dog. He's going to make a cute one! We are heading to our friend's house for chili first, and then will be trick or treating in our neighborhood. I can't wait to see all the kids dressed up! Best of all, it's supposed to actually be chilly outside! I'm ready for some cooler weather!

What's in a Name?

I put my blog on lock down yesterday, so I could make a few changes. I've been wanting to rename my blog for a very long time now. There are so many The ____ Family blogs out there, and I wanted to stand apart.... just a *smidgen* at least.

And, I will also be the first to admit that I am technically challenged when it comes to this blogger stuff. So, please bear with me.... it is definitely not the finished product. The background is a bit loud, but it'll work for the time being. I have an idea of what I want, but I'll probably just have to hire someone to do it for me one day!

Anyhow... onto the new name. Bob's dad coined Winston (our labradoodle) regal, a long time ago. According to Dictionary.com, regal means:

1) of or pertaining to a king; royal. {not Winston.}

2) befitting or resembling a king. {not Winston.}

3) stately; splendid. {Winston!}

Winston is so photogenic, and stately in so many pictures.... hence, the nickname. He's also a pretty darn smart, talented frisbee catching pup!

So, back in either 2006, or early 2007, I created my first blog. I honestly don't remember the title, but it was Bob and I's life through the eyes of Winston. I think I had maybe 5 readers. So, I have gone full-circle with this blog. I will not blog through the eyes of Winston (as if!), but my blog's namesake will most definitely bring him the notoriety he once had {wink, wink.}

Here's to another 3 more years of blogging! (And, then some...)

Mommy and Me Monday

Both photos courtesy of Paul Perdue.

For some reason, I am having technical difficulties and cannot attach the button for Mommy and Me Monday. If you want to play, go here.

Happy Monday & Have a Great Week!

The Makings of a B-A-B-Y

Image courtesy of Bob Ross.

Or, something like that...

As I see Bobby change and develop each new day, I have started feeling the pressure of really wanting to add to our little family. Having had Bobby at 30, I thought that naturally the next one would be born at the ripe, old age of 32. Well, I'll be 32 in December, so... I can only hope we can swing that! Ha! I don't know why I put all of these stupid timelines, deadlines, etc... on my life. It is actually kind of stupid, and I need to just trust that things will happen when they're meant to happen. This last statement rings so true for me lately {ding, ding, ding}, and I am thankful to have learned or realized this over the past few months.

Bob has definitely given me some perspective on having another child right now. We've had a rough few months financially, due to Bob's layoff in June. While we have managed to stay afloat, we have also realized that we were not as prepared for such a calamity; as we had thought or hoped. So, with all that being said, we have become wiser with our finances. And, while the mommy in me wants to hurry up and procreate again; I do agree that we should wait a little while longer. It is stressful enough having a newborn. There is no need to add another stress on top of that.

I think I'll probably look back on this post one day and laugh. My family will be complete. My child(ren) will be happy, healthy, and perfect. And, I'll wonder why the heck I was ever even thinking these thoughts? Ahhh.... but, who cares? :)

Bobby Updates

Bobby on the computer at the library, after story time.

I realize it has been quite some time since I've done a Bobby update. So, here's what he's been up to...

- He's talking a lot more. He can now say his name. He also says Harper (his friend). He says nap now, instead of just night-night. He loves to make monkey sounds. I feel like this is the beginning of the "talking non-stop" phase we'll gladly endure for the next few years.

- He is getting better with his utensils. He still cannot poke his fork into the food. But, once I do it for him, he can bring the fork to his mouth and eat. We've had a lot of hit and misses. He seems to favor his left hand, but will still definitely use his right hand.

- Toys he's obsessed with: Lego's, tool bench, Mickey Mouse push-toy, cars, his bear, books.

- Household stuff he's obsessed with: opening and closing doors, turning on faucets (and, sometimes leaving them on), the washing machine, pots and pans drawers, climbing everywhere, stairs, and light switches.

- Loves playing outdoors!

- Bobby almost always has the same thing for dinner lately that we eat. This of course is easily done, because Bob is home earlier these days. Love that!

- Usually goes down for a nap between 12 - 12:30. On average, he'll nap for 2 hours.

- He had his first illness (besides a cold) this past Saturday with the stomach bug.

- He colors during the nursery at church.

I think that's about it; at least that I can think of. He has been very clingy toward me, ever since I left him for a night. Go figure. He's lately been a little rascal at home, and more reserved while in public. He seems to be branching out some more.

I hope everyone is having a good week thus far. I've hit the train park everyday this week with friends. It's a great workout walking the hills to get there and back. The kids love it too. The weather is gorgeous here today! I love this time of year. We are headed up to the resort later for a friend's birthday dinner. Looking forward to it!

Happy Hump Day!