10 months old

We have hit double digits!! I'm not sure how well I like this...we are two months away from being 1!!! He's growing so fast. I started putting pictures together and noticed I didn't have too many from this past month, I think it's because anytime I'm with him I'm having to constantly move him away from things, keep him from busting open his head, etc... it comes with having a VERY active little one!

Some of Bo's new things include playing in small spaces...he loves to crawl and get under the chairs of our table, under his exersaucer, laundry basket...I guess maybe he feels cozy? I see many forts and tents being built in our living room in the near future! He has just gotten his top two middle teeth...finally! It took about a month of suffering, but they have finally broken through.

He's also eating everything you can imagine. He would eat all day if I let him. Some of his new favorite things are: spaghetti, lasagna, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, tortillas with refried beans and melted cheese, rice, grilled cheese, pancakes, cheese toast, "real" green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, bananas, strawberries, he absolutely loves mandarin oranges, chicken...pretty much anything I give to him he eats. He hates green peas though, as soon as you put them in his mouth he sticks out his tongue and lets them all fall off, he hasn't mastered "spitting them out" yet. It must be the texture because he loves the baby food green peas.

He's starting to recognize words like...bottle, cup, no (he hears this one a lot), you can some "come here" and he'll follow you, he can point to the dog in two of his books. He's also started "reading" when he looks at his books. He'll turn the pages and you hear "ba ba ba da da da..." He's pulling up all over the place, he's still trying to figure out how to take steps. He's so close! It's amazing to see the changes as they happen day by day.

Why I love my husband...

Okay, so this is just one of MANY reasons...these came on Monday (our anniversary). They are absolutely beautiful, the picture doesn't do them justice and they have smelled our entire house all week! I'm late posting them because...I'm at home with a very active almost 10 month old (Friday)! Jarrod is so wonderful to me, I am so blessed!! These really brightened my day. And...if you're trying to read the card it says "To the love of my life-Jarrod"!

2 Years and counting...

Two years ago I was so richly blessed to marry the man of my dreams. Who knew two years ago that we'd be where we are today. We have been through a lot in these two short years...job changes, moving, a surprise and more importantly miracle pregnancy, the birth of our first child, more job changes...we have done in the first two years of our marriage what most people do in five. And while it has been stressful, beautiful, stressful, exciting, stressful, scary, thrilling, did I mention stressful? It has only brought us closer while strengthening our bond. God knew exactly what He was doing when he brought the two of us together. I know that with Jarrod by my side I can get through anything.


I came across a poem we had read during our ceremony. At the time it seemed sweet, loving, and a great reading to have at your wedding. Now that we have been married for two years and have experienced many different life changing moments in our life together, I have a whole new appreciation for this poem and I know that each year that passes I will appreciate it more and more.

Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you more than you'll ever know.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours as together

you build your future, as you laugh and cry,

as you hare your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief

temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement

to chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you

struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled

and aged will still be reaching for yours,

still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Like No Other

New Orleans...you can't beat it! The sights, the sounds, the smells...okay, maybe not the smells, but you see where I'm headed with this. There will always be just one N'awlins!

Very rarely do Jarrod and I get to do anything for ourselves. Before we had our precious baby we would travel at the drop of a hat, we were always going and doing...we also had 2 incomes! Then came baby and one income which meant...big changes in our lifestyle. These days just to get a sitter and go out to dinner or a night on the town you spend a fortune! However, everyone will tell you...you need to still have time to yourselves, especially when you have a little one. That is why my parents have oh so graciously offered to keep Bo during Christmas while we go do something for ourselves.

After thinking what we could do, it dawned on me...Jackson is only 3 hours from New Orleans why don't we do any overnight trip down there. Having gone to college an hour away from this wonderful city, we spent oh so much time on the streets of New Orleans...one in particular! New Orleans is like a completely separate world...the culture...the music, the FOOD, the shopping, the beignets...a visit to Cafe Du Monde is a MUST, the architecture, the art, the people...you never know what you're going to see. I haven't been back since Katrina so I'm very anxious to visit. Last night Jarrod and I booked a room for the Saturday after Christmas. When I asked mom if she'd mind keeping Bo overnight she practically shoved us out the door and we aren't even there yet! I don't know whose more excited us or my parents! It will be our first time away from Bo, but something tells me he will be well taken care of and Jarrod and I will have a wonderful night in the Big Easy!

Laissez les Bon temp rouler!!!!!!!!

Traditions...

This morning in one of my many "mommy" emails that I get from different websites they were talking about holiday traditions with your family. Which of course I LOVE this idea, there are so many things I want to pass on to Bo! I thought I'd list a few from the webiste as well as some from our family and friend's families.

*Of course the traditional letter to Santa and I like the idea of a letter from Santa! I got this idea from a friend years ago...Along with a letter from Santa, he would also send "reindeer food" asking the children to help put the food out so the reindeer could fuel up during their stop. You take birdseed and glitter and voila..."Reindeer Food". On Christmas Eve you go out and spread it in the yard before the kids go to bed.

*On Christmas Eve we always left out cookies and milk for Santa. Another thing you can include would be carrots for the reindeer. Of course Santa eats the cookies, but you can either cut or chew the carrots down to look like the reindeer actually ate them and toss them out into the yard for the little ones to find on Christmas morning.

*We were also allowed to open one gift that night. I'm planning to do this with our family, but the gift everyone will open will be Christmas Pajamas to wear that night.

*Bake a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve! This is also a great time to read the Christmas Story from the Bible and help the children understand the real meaning of Christmas!

*One father had told his little girls how Santa wouldn't come if he could hear the girls awake. After they settled down he went outside with some jingle bells and stood below their window ringing the bells. It eventually caught on with the neighbors and every year the parents would agree on a bedtime and once they were settled in bed one of the parents would go from yard to yard ringing the bells.

*Attend a Christmas program at church. Most churches have a program sometime during the month of December. I attended my first Midnight Christmas Eve service while Jarrod and I lived in NJ and I must say it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. This might not be the best service for little ones, but if you can attend one I would highly recommend it.

*Leaving "Santa's boot prints" by the front door or fireplace. You can do this with baking powder, flour, etc...

*Watching old Christmas movies...this is a must! I'm 30 years old and still watch Frosty and Rudolph!!

*Another that I loved and will definitely do...After kids have settled down to bed, pop popcorn and make hot chocolate, put it in the car, then wake up the kids to ride around looking at Christmas lights. They recommended doing this on a Friday night since they could be cranky the next day. Personally I don't think I would wake a sleeping child, but maybe after bathtime and pajamas surprising them.

*Getting involved with a charity. This is such an amazing time of year, what a better way to show love and giving than to get involved helping others. This year we will be doing Operation Christmas Child, we will be filling shoe boxes with items such as toys, candy, crayons, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, etc... The boxes are shipped across the world to children in need. Think about it...you can find all of these things at the dollar store, so even though you may be enduring tight times with our current economy you can still send something to a precious child for less than $10.

I thought these were such fun ideas, I had to share. I know when my parents read this they are going to say "this is SO Casey". I can't help it, I have always loved Christmas ever since I was a little girl. Not much longer only 47 days left!

Just Like Mommy's Mommy

Saturday morning I made pancakes for breakfast. I thought back to my childhood and how fun it was when mom would make special pancakes in the shape of our initials! She'd make other letters too, but I remember always getting a "C". So I attempted to do the same for Bo. "B" is a little harder I must say and the "L" fell apart, but I gave it a shot and it will take some practice, but he loved them anyway. Pancakes with a little applesauce on them and he was in heaven, couldn't get them in fast enough.

I was even able to grab a little video of him "talking". Last Wednesday while I was making his dinner he decided it was time to start gabbing. I looked up and next thing I know I'm hearing "ma ma ma ma, ba ba ba ba ba". I couldn't get Jarrod on the phone so I called my parents, I had to have someone hear. They were able to hear his first sounds, it was such a treat! He hasn't been quiet since he discovered this new trick. Of course he got quiet once I grabbed the camera, but you can see a little!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Creepy, Crawly, & Cuddly

Yesterday was full of fun Halloween activites for Bo. We met Michelle and RJ yesterday morning and headed off to the Halloween Fun Fest at a park nearby. It's geared towards toddlers and children up to 4yrs, I think it's because the older children are in school. The entire thing was themed around Dr. Seuss so there were plenty of characters around handing out goody bags, which contained a Dr. Seuss book and some candy. We listened to story time, had punch and cookies, and went on a hayride. The kids had a great time and were exhausted when we left!

After a great afternoon nap we got dressed up again and got ready for trick or treating. We walked around the neighborhood and watched all the big kids collecting candy, stopped by a few neighbors houses to say hello, then back home to hand out candy! Bo had so much fun watching and taking it all in. He would squeal and laugh every time we opened the door to pass out candy. By the end of the night when he'd hear the door bell he'd start looking right at the door ready to go.