595/1000 Miles

So October was again a month of me struggling to remember I have a Fitbit.  I need to keep this thing with my glasses or something.  I had one week where I added 5.9 miles granted like 2.5 of those days the tracker might have been missing or dead as at one point Jones did run off with it and I later found it in a shoe.  Jones has taken a recent liking to my Fitbit and likes to try it on so often times it gets taken off because of that.  I need to perhaps just wear one of the extra color bracelets  so I can give him one when he asks about it, but naturally I haven't implemented this because I struggle with putting mine on too.  Oh well, I did add 33.5 miles to the tally when I was wearing it and maybe in November I will be more consistent.  

October Family Photos

In October I was not so good at family photos.  Although we did a ton of things as a family I just need to get better at saying "family selfie" or asking someone to take it.  I did get two shots one at church on our anniversary they took family photos - we didn't match and well I am pretty sure I didn't brush my hair that day either but it's us.

And then I snapped this one of the three of us sleeping in obviously I was fake sleeping, but I love how jones covered his face.   

Both shots were taken before Dustin had to shave for his new job so November photos will have a much more groomed Dustin.   

Happy Halloween from "The Baseball"

I want to just point out I made this costume this I am considering it a craft project.  (it was supposed to be a basketball but the spray paint was peeling up and I couldn't find orange duct tape so baseball it was).  Jones was super scared to put on his baseball costume for some reason but along with some help with grandma we got him warmed up to the idea and when he got to his school Halloween Festival he put it on for us no problem.  He had a little trouble trying to pick things up and sitting in it but it was too cute.  Now that Halloween is over he is actually playing with it and attempting to wear it himself.

Here he is with his teacher miss Maine.

He absolutely loved the school carnival and for less than $6 we had dinner, bounce house, and played games with him it was fun.  He loved his prizes of fun yo-yo balls and a slap braclet.

On Halloween we actually did trunk or treat with our church. Our trunk was a monster - I think it turned out cute for literally like the cost of like $4 but I did already have poster board on hand.

Jones has a fun time at the event although he did NOT want to give the kids candy and kept declaring the candy "mine" and telling the kids "no no no".  But he also played nicely by the car with stickers and plastic spiders and everyone was very impressed how well behaved he was.  I wasn't so impressed with his desire to want to eat a bunch of candy! 

We skipped trick or treating as after a long nap we weren't so interested in going out in the rain and cold again.

But it was a good Halloween.

PS costume is made from paper mâché, duct tape, and good old sharpie markers.

5:12 Crockpot Potato & Corn Chowder

I have been trying to use the crockpot more (honestly sometimes it's not my favorite).  But I made this crockpot recipe http://damndelicious.net/2014/09/12/slow-cooker-potato-corn-chowder/? Naturally I added bacon, pork loin, carrots and onion to the mix as well.  The recipe wasn't as Chowdery as I thought it should be which was probably because of the crockpot.  It also needed some additional flavor or spice I peppered mine up and it still wasn't amazing.  But it was good I might try it again using more cream and perhaps more garlic or something.

16 Months

I am waaaaay late at taking these.  I actually took like 3 snaps over a week ago but he was sooooo not into it I gave up.  So today after a good nap we went to find a wall.  We tried downtown Beech Grove which is seriously lacking murals (someone take note).  We ended up outside the newly closed Beech Grove Meat Market which has a clean wall and I liked the big arrow.  Jones of course wanted to run around rather than stand where I wanted so I let him do his thing.  I still love them.  

Jones Jones - 

This month was super fun.  Daddy is doing much better and you are loving it!  

You often ask me if he's bye bye, or ask for him rather than me.

You also check to see if he's coming places like to drop off at school or to run a quick errand.

I think it's great.

You are 26lbs (not sure on height).

You have started pretend laughing when you think something is funny but aren't sure.

You added new words and phrases like oh my, uh oh, bubbles, slide, go outside, shoo (as in smelly), not and daddy.

You pretend things are a phone (a computer mouse, a old phone case etc), and often call Aunt Eita (Lita).  

Your pretend conversation is like "hey Eita hey!" at almost a yell and after much of this you tell her "bye bye".

You also started to be more independent.

Example you throw yourself on the ground when you don't want to hold hands.  

You get sooooo excited when you see a dog or cat out.  

You love having your hair brushed.

Mommy actually trimmed up your mullet neck curls this month.

You also a refusing to eat certain foods like corn or skin on anything.

You like to read books and play trucks.

You still think balls are the best and we probably play ball or look for it in books several times a day.

You blow kisses when people leave.  

You also give hugs when I ask you too.

Mommy loves when you smile and your dimple pops out.

I love how you try to snuggle me by putting your face in my neck.

I enjoy how you will listen to me and we'll do things together you by my side like cooking or loading the dishwasher.

I started calling you "Jones Jones" because you call me "Ma Ma".

Mommy is kind of jealous that you now say "daddy" not "dada" anymore.

Mommy and you have been having oatmeal for breakfast and you like it like her thick as cement! Lol.

Daddy is enjoying playing ball with you.

He likes when you want to sleep with us and snuggle (mommy not so much).

He often makes you an adult size plate but you never come close to finishing it.

He has given you candy.

He has also seen how this makes you cranky.

Daddy is over joyed you will now give him a kiss.

He loves wrestling you and tries to let you win.  

We love you so much little guy!

love mommy

Book 54 - Bastards by Mary King

So even though I finished my list I still have been reading a few books.  I tried to finish "Yes Please" by Amy Poelher too but the library wanted it back before I did finished it - this is the second attempt I did with this book so I am not likely to try again. But anyhow I did read another a memoir - Bastards by Mary King.  It was in my recommended queue so I went with it.  It was pretty good the childhood stories were interesting and detailed, I wasn't so wild about the end it was all hurry up and get to the point that it just seemed so fast toward the end. But it was still a good book, some sad with some humor and feel good aspects in there too.

Tuesday 10 - October

1. Family Day trips.  We went to Covered Bridge festival we didn't buy a thing but enjoyed bridges, walking and jones liked finding animals.

2. Chopstick attempts

3. Loaner Vans

4. The master of the slide.  He's soooo proud he can do this all by himself.

5. Cousin's birthdays 

6. First field trips.  We went to pumpkin patch. Jones was super excited by the animals and had the best time with his class.

7. My first purchase for the new baby.  $.99 overalls. I also bought her a jumper.

8. Baby Bomber Jackets - seriously this is too cute.

9. Visits from Aunties.

10. Zoo Boo.  The zoo membership might have been one of our best purchases of the year - next year I want to do zoo and the children's museum. We can go for an hour or all day and we don't care if we see one animal or 10 but it's a good time.

4:12 Rolled Sugar Cookies

I have made Sugar Cookies many times before usually using the Betty Crocker Recipe or Julie's Recipe (a friend).  But since I am trying 12 new recipes this year I found an alternative recipe.  We cheated though and used store bought icing.

The recipe I used is here from Family Spice true to form I modified it and added 2 tsp of vanilla and 1 tsp of almond extract.  http://familyspice.com/recipes/recipe/?recipe_id=458. 

They cookies turned out pretty good, Dustin said he likes the usual recipe better because it's more doughy less cakey.  But I think these were good and soft and not to sweet.  I did make 1.5x the recipe because 4 of us were decorating seems we run out of creative ideas at about 3 cookies each so we could have just done the 1x recipe.  I also cut everything in circles because I don't have many Halloween shapes, but I think that worked perfectly.  

3:12 meatball Strongaoff

So we made this one several months back and enjoyed it.  We used this recipe http://menumusings.blogspot.com/2011/06/meatballs-stroganoff.html?m=1 

This time however we used turkey meatballs, chicken broth, and no cream cheese, I think we liked it better.  I might have also tossed in some extra spice too.   The first time I tossed in some frozen peas too which I rather liked.   Sorry I didn't take more photos.  Anyhow so that's recipe 3.  I guess I need to pick up the pace. 

preschool age 1

Jones started preschool in August.  It's really just a semi expensive daycare that has structured activities for all the children.  But I feel better calling it "school" rather than daycare.

It's been a huge change around here it's so weird not having him to hang out with at lunch or to pop in and say "hi mama" during the day.  It's also been a struggle for both me and him at the drop offs.  He cries and wants me to stay and play.  We've maybe had 4 days where there wasn't crying.  Apparently it lasts just a few minutes.  But still it's heart breaking, leaving your baby with virtual strangers day in and day out.  Ugh!

But it's also been good.  I am much more productive at work there's consistency in the sitter and he actually loves school.  He shows me his favorite toys at pickup and he's been learning things like picking up toys and blowing his nose.  It also makes me appreciate our evenings and weekends together sooooo much more.  

Anyhow I was originally only going to share his first school pic but then I got to rambling.  Anyhow here it is - no smiling Jones dressed in a ridiculous onesie because mommy forgot it was picture day. Oh well!  I love it anyhow.