Vision

Can you imagine what it must be like for an infant to go from not being able to see anything, to seeing blurry visions, to being able to see things clearly that are right in front of your face?

It's been fun watching Parker go from not really focusing on anything in particular, to really looking around and checking out his surroundings. 

This week he discovered that his swing has toys rotating above his head...

And (pardon the no makeup, glasses, bathrobe attire) he discovered his Mama...

I can't believe how much he's changed in just 7 weeks! He's also starting to smile, which melts my heart! I'll try to snap a picture of it real soon.

Fun with Lilly

We went to the park last week with Payton's best friend, Lilly. It was a beautiful day and Lilly's Mom, Rachel, was nice enough to snap these cute photos while we were there. Enjoy...

"Look Mom - no hands!"

 Best friends forever!

Best friends who know how to have a good laugh, that is!

 

6 Weeks Old!

I can't believe this little guy is 6 weeks old already. He's still as sweet as can be, but the lack of sleep definitely takes some getting used to. :) Speaking of... I'm off to get a hot cup of coffee!

Signs of Spring...

I spied these beautiful Easter Lilies growing up out of the ground the other day. So I had to cut a few and bring them inside to enjoy...

But since they looked a little lonely on the counter, I added a little friend...

Can you see what it is? Here's a closer picture...

And guess what he's holding inside...

That's right folks... Cadbury milk chocolate eggs... a sure signs that Spring is here!

St. Patrick's Day Fun

We had some fun around here on St. Patrick's Day. Here is a quick summary...

Payton and I built this Leprechaun Trap for his kindergarten class. Unfortunately, no one in the class trapped any leprechauns this year. But they did all get lots of treats left behind by the little green guys...

 

 Then we realized that sometime during the night we had a visit by our very own little Leprechaun. He left Payton this note which had a $7 Lucky Buck bill inside...

 

 and apparently he had to use the bathroom while he was here too... green toilet water!

 

And of course my other two boys were dressed in their green...

Hope you all had a good St. Patty's Day too!

 

Time passes on...

I should warn you ahead of time, this is a pretty somber post. If you're in the mood for something light, I suggest you just skip this one and read the next post...
My grandfather passed away last night. It wasn't unexpected, but still, the heartache of losing someone is still there. My mind knows that he is no longer suffering from the pains of old age... no longer stuck in bed, breathing through a respirator. He's up and walking the streets of Gold in heaven with God... it's a brand new day for him. My mind knows all of this. But still, my heart is heavy. I am sad for my grandmother who has not known a day without him in over 60 years. I know this transition period will be very difficult for her, and for that my heart aches. I wish I could be up in New Jersey with her and help her go through this grieving process. I want to give her a huge hug and cry with her and tell her that I love her while looking her in the eyes. But, my mom has forbidden me from flying with Parker. She says "he's too young - there is no need for me to be there." But still... my heart aches.
Time passes on, and it reminds me of how we go through such grief, only to be soothed and calmed by our Heavenly Father. I noticed yesterday on my back porch that my calla Lilly is starting to break through the dirt and re-bloom again this year. My dear friend Jenny B. gave me that plant two years ago after our IVF failed. I remember feeling such a sense of loss, pain, and disappointment at that time. I didn't know how I would get through the depression that had set in. It took months, but finally, the Lord healed my heart and allowed me to move forward... not forgetting about the grief, but allowing it to become more distant and manageable.
Now when I look at that Calla Lilly, I don't see the pain of the failed IVF; but rather I see re-birth, renewal, and the wonder of God in that plant (especially when I've never done anything to keep it alive - it's a true miracle that the darn thing re-blooms every year!).
I hope that in a year or even sooner, my grandmother can look at my grandfather's passing not as a sharp painful memory, but rather one of re-birth. He has now been reborn in his heavenly body... one that she will be able to join someday and be reunited for eternity. 

Parker's Visit to Bradenton

The last two weekends we have had the pleasure of taking Parker to Bradenton for the first time to meet Great Grandpa, Uncle Todd, Aunt Bernadette and Uncle Mike. Even though he doesn't look very happy in some of the pictures, trust me, he thoroughly enjoyed being held all day!

Here is Parker being held by his Great Grandpa Likens 

(not Parker's best moment, sorry Great Grandpa!) and a photo of Brian with Parker and Great Grandpa (again, Parker looks terrified - not sure what was going on here)...

 

Here is Brian's mom and brother, Todd, holding Parker...

And of course we can't forget our favorite Aunt and Uncle from Illinois: Aunt B and Uncle Mike...

Payton was also lucky enough to do a little fishing with Uncle Mike while we were there. And even though they didn't catch anything this time, he still enjoyed spending the time with family...

Thanks for the great time everyone!

 

St. Patty's Day Decorating Ideas

Surely by now you all know I am a total sucker for holiday decorating. Add to that fact that both Brian and I come from Irish families and you've got more than enough reason to deck the house out in St. Patrick's Day decor!

Here are a few simple ideas that cost next to nothing, but add lots of holiday cheer...

First, I hit my trusty Dollar Store to find some inexpensive items that I could customize. I got two packages of foam shamrocks, each for $1. I just knew I could turn them into something fun. Here is what I did with them:

Shamrock Banner

I hot-glue gunned several of the shamrocks to a long grosgrain ribbon and then tied it to the handles of the entertainment unit...

Seasonal Wreath

You may remember this wreath from last year. All I did was remove the silk flowers and put tiny dabs of hot glue on the back of the shamrocks to adhere them to the wreath. They pull right off without any damage, so I can take them off easily as well.

Candle Display

My trusty "dress me up" plate has transformed into a St. Patty's celebration with the addition of some gold shamrock coins and a candle that I covered with scrap book paper and printed the word "irish" on it. The gold coins were also a Dollar Store find - a bag of 20 for $1!

 This candle display also has the gold coins "floating" in the bottom with some shamrock tinsel wrapped around a green candle. Easy peasy!

And a holiday wouldn't be complete without Payton's favorite decorating item... he loves to put up window clings on our front door windows:

All very easy, very inexpensive, but very fun! Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!