Snow Day!

Today was supposed to be B's last day of preschool here in Iowa, but unfortunately it's a snow day.  We're using the term "Snow Day" loosely at this point, as all it's been thus far is rain, but I hear (and see via Facebook) that the snow is coming. I think we said this morning that the weather man might as well just check Facebook for the forecast... what friends in Kansas City said the weather was doing first, has moved through Des Moines, heading to Iowa City, and then it will make it's way to the QC.

I'm really sad though because it was supposed to be the preschool's Christmas program that they'd been working on for a month and I was so excited to see B stand up with his little classmates and sing! Also, he'd been telling me how they were working on a secret project (which he then let slip exactly what it was) and I know he wanted to give it to me... Hopefully I can arrange with his head teacher to see her and give her the gifts we have for her and the other two teachers and get the project.

So instead of running errands and going to school today, we are packing and getting Christmas gifts ready. Christmas cards and birth announcements are also going out today- finally!

New, New, New

It's looking like a blog revival is going to be necessary in 2013...  I've changed the name of my blog to something a little more relevant, although we're headed back to a big city area & we have a new baby. I still like "Words with the Wallace's" better. More fitting, I think.

Lots of big changes happening & that will be happening in the next couple of weeks. The Hubs started a new job in November in Seattle. Yep, Seattle. That's a crazy commute from Iowa, so we're moving back there in January. He's been out there for different periods of time over the last month & a half.

Speaking of the last month, we have a new baby! He's one month old today! Happy one month birthday Mr. JJ! He's adorable & so calm, most of the time.

The one who started out this blog as Baby B will be turning 4 in a couple weeks. He's been in preschool this past 'semester' & I'm hoping we can find him a new school when we move. It breaks my heart that he's leaving his beloved school, teachers, & friends, but I know he'll enjoy a new school, like new teachers, & make new friends.

So be on the lookout... I'll be slow starting with the holidays, moving, etc., but then I'll be back. After all, now we'll have family looking for these posts!

Email a Scrapbook.

Today, while wasting time on Facebook, I came across this post and it got me thinking. Wouldn't it be great to have an email address that is simply your name, rather than several numbers afterwards, or some random handle? (Perhaps if you have an less typical name, you already have this, but let me tell you- there's thousands of Amanda Wallace's, so it's not something I'll ever have.)

Anyway, to further the actual post, I thought, what a fabulous idea! B has a baby book and a journal (that I started when I found out I was pregnant and it's not yet full), but I'm pretty terrible at really updating it. I have this blog, but I'm not so great at keeping it updated either. What I am great at? Anything on my phone. Total convenience at my fingertips. So I opened an email account for B and lo and behold, he already has several messages from our family, with stories and thoughts... I plan to send pictures and thoughts whenever the urge strikes and with it all being at my fingertips, it'll be so easy! I'm actually pretty excited about this. I think it's brilliant, and of course, in this age of email and social media, why not grab that email handle while you still can? I already couldn't just use his full name (or nickname and last name), I had to add a middle initial!

Catching up ... is hard to do.

Can you guys believe the gorgeous weather we're having around the midwest? Seriously, 50 degrees and sunny in January! I for one am loving it... but am also waiting for the snowstorms to hit. Preferably while it's still technically winter. Perhaps this is because I was totally prepared, with snow boots and snow pants for myself- not just B.

I'm working on a Christmas post, as well as little man's 3rd birthday post, but my motivation is severely lacking. Working mom sucks. So does busy at home mom. The busy just never ends, so I'm trying to work around it, but only so many things can get done!

To entice you to check back (as I know, I've been a horrific blogger this past year), here's a shot of the birthday boy himself from this week:

Hmm... also, maybe come February will anyone want to do 28 days of blogging again? Maybe that'll get me into the swing of things again...

Welcoming MOPS

Today we ventured out to join one of our local chapters of MOPS. My mother in law has been telling me to join since before B was born, but I was always a little skeptical, mostly because of the name = Mothers of PreSchoolers. It always made me stop and wonder if my kid was actually supposed to be in preschool. But when I heard that two of my dear friends were in this particular group and it didn't interfere with my pilates schedule, I immediately wanted to sign up.

We came, we participated. We conquered.

I'm so happy with how well B did. It's two hours and fifteen minutes of him in a playroom with other two year olds, without me! Last year, 20 minutes at the Y was impossible. Two years ago, an hour and half of bible study was hell. But this year? Pure golden. I really, truly enjoyed the small break to interact with other moms and I really liked the moms in my small group. B was so happy when I went to his room- he'd been playing with trains, snacking on goldfish, and coloring- what more could he (or I) want?!

I'm so thankful for my group of mom friends that I have here and I'm always happy to find more to get involved with. To find out more about your local MOPS- check out MOPS International... it's awesome, trust me!

It's been awhile...

Well blogger land, it's been awhile. Months, actually. A lot of things have changed, as they do in life and in the lifetime of a child... To begin with, updates on Mr. B-man...

He is fully potty-trained... well maybe not fully. I gave in and got pull-ups for night time. He's been dry though for the past three mornings, so we're definitely getting there. He doesn't wear them at naptime or any other time, so I'm pretty pleased with the success. It took about a week, back in May and then there was an accident here and there, but mostly just success.

We are slowly getting into TotSchool at our house. Sloooowly... I'll get better about planning in advance and getting real themes down. So far it's mostly painting and stuff, but  we're at least working on something a few times a week!

His favorite thing to ask is "what's her/his name?" All the time. In line at Target, at the library, everywhere. And then when that person says "My name is Bob (or whatever), what's yours?" he buries his face in my shoulder and won't say anything. Some would say that's the smartest thing he could do!

B has had his hair actually cut twice. It's all boy and super cute.

He's SO obsessed with trains. Any and all trains, it's a little out of control. They're totally taking over our house and this Saturday we're going to actually ride on Thomas. He doesn't even know, but I know he's going to be SO excited.

... I could go on and on, but then honestly, I'd probably never finish and post this. So in order to get back on the blogging wagon, I'll post now and be done. This way I'll keep things for the next post :) I really will be back soon! with pictures!

Weaning... The journey begins...

Last night we began the process of weaning B. We were down to only bedtime nursing sessions & it had been this way for quite awhile.  Originally I had been planning to allow B to self-wean, but honestly, it just doesn't seem like that's ever going to happen.  He is perfectly fine when I'm not around - he doesn't even ask for "mama milk". He goes to sleep perfectly fine without anything & he sleeps in, almost always.  At our house, he won't sleep past 7:30, & rarely does he sleep longer than 7am.

So, because he was away from me each night this weekend (although Saturday night, I kissed him goodnight & left him with his GG right as he was getting ready to take a bath & go to sleep) & he will be again this next weekend (Hubs & I are heading to Chicago for a couple days), I thought this might be a good week to go for it.  Last night, we tried a couple different things. First, I helped get him ready for bed, just like normal.  I then kissed & hugged him good night & left the room.  He did okay until Hubs laid him down & he really realized that he wasn't getting mama milk.  We let him cry for a few minutes, but then Hubs took him another of his lovies (we call them ghost puppy). He then asked me to come up & give B another kiss good night.  I talked to B about it & explained that he was a big boy now & that mama won't be able to have milk for much longer... He laid down & cried for a minute or two & went to sleep.  He slept til 6:50am.

Tonight, we did the same bedtime routine, but read a couple extra books.  He only asked for mama milk once & we explained to him again.  I kissed & hugged him & then left the room.  Hubs laid him down.  B cried for a minute & has been asleep ever since.  So far, success (knock on wood!)

I know this is a controversial subject... on one hand, people will ask why in the world I'd still be nursing a 26 month old.  Well, to that I say, the WHO recommends 2 years.  (And also, screw you. Harsh? Maybe, but don't judge breastfeeding (or formula feeding for that matter) mothers.)  Then of course, there's the mamas who will disagree with my choice of weaning B before he self-weans.  Well, to that I say this... It's sort of gotten to the point where I don't like breastfeeding anymore.  I don't want to continue until I hate it.  I would never want to look back on this (wonderful) experience & remember that I hated it in the end.  Also, when B nurses, he is constantly asking to switch sides- my assumption is that he's not getting milk out, so he tries the other side.  And, since I know how well he sleeps when I'm not there, I know it's just a comfort thing, rather than a need.  Obviously, I will be comforting him for the rest of his life, so I'm not concerned that he will feel uncomforted by the lack of breast milk.

I will update as the week continues, but so far, so good.  For this, I'm extremely happy... but I'll say that once it's all done, I know I will be sad.  Breastfeeding is an amazing experience, completely worth the time, energy & pain.  I am so proud to have made it this far & I hope, with any future children we may have, I'll be able to do it again...

Cookies 101

 Ingredients pre-measured into smaller bowls makes it easier for those little hands....



Stirring with both hands is more sufficient....
 Who doesn't love Valentine's cookies 5 days later?

 They're pretty in their own way :)

One really cute kid ... and chef. Love him. 

picture happy

just a few pictures from the other day ... one of the best things about the iPhone 4 is that you can change the view on the camera, so you can very easily take pictures of yourself (or in this case, a little on your back). This, of course, does not translate to amazing quality, but I think B's cuteness shines through! 

 Gosh, he makes me laugh.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - 2 is Crazy FUN!

Mickey Mouse Birthday Cake

All the party kids!

B & the older girls :)

Yum! Cake!

Here Grandpa, Have some! 

Loving on the puppy

              Finally! The long-awaited photos from B's birthday! 

2 is Crazy

today is b's birthday. he's 2 years old. how crazy is that? i'll tell you, it's completely crazy. and he had a crazy party. crazy fun... but still. crazy.

(i think) he had an absolute blast. like maybe the most fun he's ever had in his short life, that is becoming longer everyday. and those days are going faster. crazy fast.

i can't wait for more though. now who's crazy?

real recap coming later this week, complete with pictures :)

(Not really a) Wordless Wednesday: Festival of Trees

We recently went to the Festival of Trees here in the Quad Cities... scoped out all of the trees, wreaths & more.  B's favorite part was this massive train display.

He looks cranky- this is only because we turned away from the trains to take the shot. 

He also wanted a 'coffee party' - seriously, he said coffee. We're definitely coffee people around here. 

Horse! Yay!

All in all, definitely worth it :)

Weapons of Mass Destruction

They're in the form of small baseball bats, emblazoned with the Chicago Cubs logo...  crayons slightly larger than average... even tubes of yogurt or apple chunks (as witnessed at lunch today by our dear friend Miss Ally).

These little tiny hands grab hold of objects like these & you had better watch out.  He's kind of a maniac, really.  What is it about little boys?  When is it that they decide that that candle sitting on the end table is actually a missile that should be chucked across the room, aimed at the dog?  Why does a wooden baby Jesus (it is Christmas in our house, afterall) become an object to be thrown at the tv?  And those Christmas ornaments? What better use than to hit them all, while still on the tree, in one fell swoop? What's a baseball when you have approximately 25 glass balls in a variety of red, green, gold & silver?

And how do you respond when he laughs, hits & says 'time out!' as though it's all just a game & we're the pawns?

Oh little boy, if only you weren't so cute...

Daddio!

B loves to spend time with his daddy...

Baking with B

In our first adventure into the kitchen, B helped me make M's birthday cake.  I decided it was time... he's capable of helping :) The Huz has a special cake, orange cake, & it's delicious (incredibly fattening & sugary, but delicious nonetheless).

We tied on an apron ...

grabbed a spoon...

Hy-Vee store brand? Yep, we roll that way... especially since HyVee doesn't pack their cake full of hydrogenated oils & high fructose corn syrup - that makes it a winner for us!

adding the jello & using a whisk...

helping pour... we made two (one for me to take to M & one for B to share at the grandparent's house)

we now have a scrunchy face & he loves to make it when I whip out a camera

last minute touches before it bakes...

And unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the end product- dang! 

Orange Cake

1 box of yellow cake

1 packet of orange jello

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

4 eggs 

glaze

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup orange juice

Mix the above ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a greased cake pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  Poke holes (with a fork) in the very warm cake & cover with glaze. 

Enjoy! And be happy that I didn't tell you the calorie content :)

Abby Evans Photography Session - discount available!

"I love to watch people interact and I love to capture relationships with photography." 

---abby evans

If you're my friend on facebook, you've probably seen my newest album.  We finally got professional pictures of B taken ... at 19 months! We had newborn shots taken when B was about a week & a half old & really didn't like the experience... we then tried 3 month shots & really hated that experience.  That's when Mike bought me a Canon Rebel XS & told me to get to work, because we weren't putting B through this anymore.  What changed his mind?

Perhaps you remember when I introduced my dear friend, Abby, who is starting a photography business?  Well, she recently relocated from Phoenix, where she started her business & she now lives in Chicago! Yay for us, right?  So we ventured out a couple weeks ago & she got to work.  B was comfortable with her, of course, but even if he hadn't known her, I know it would've gone just as well.

Abby was fantastic with him, chasing him around & just letting him do his own thing, while snapping shots. (In the past, each photographer just sat there waiting for B to do something picture worthy & then tried to set up the shot. Ummm.... not happening people - you've gotta be ready or you'll never get that picture worthy pose!)

These pictures definitely capture the little boy that is my B. 

Take a minute & check out Abby's website & her blog, where she writes about everything from photography to wine to family.  Are you in the Chicago area & you want to book her for your next photo shoot? Mention you read about her on Big City! Baby & she'll give you a discounted rate of $50.00 a session.  This includes 5 fully retouched photos AND full rights to print them or use them however they want (this is super important to me!).   Not in Chicago, but still pretty local (Illinois, Iowa, Omaha area)? Shoot her an email & chat with her about traveling - abby@abbyevansphotography.com

I can't wait to have these photos hanging in my house! 

Aren't they fantastic?