With A Heavy Heart

I have no words of healing for the dear families that lost their children or loved ones on Friday. My heart hurts for each and everyone of you. I feel compelled to write out what I am feeling: sad, upset, angry, and an aching heart. What a horror as a parent. My prayers are with each life/family that happened to be affected by Friday's shooting in CT. May we all hold our children a little closer and cherish each minute.

A Fun Link

I know I am always talking books on here. Today I want to introduce you to a wonderful and free website for learning to read. It is called starfall and it is amazing. Charles really enjoys the stories and videos. I know in time he will enjoy the games they offer also. I know that they use this site with Pre-K and up at schools but don't let that keep you from checking it out with your little one if they are younger. Charles is just 16 months. Check it out: http://www.starfall.com/

Merry Christmas

Wreath Monogram Christmas

Turn your favorite family photos into Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Updates

1. I have many very cool crafty things that I have been working on and finished. I can't post pictures yet because they are gifts. I don't wish to risk someone seeing their present.
2. Charles is cutting teeth again. I was beginning to think that he was only going to have 4 teeth for the rest of his life. Boom and lateral incisors appear. First the right one that cut through the gum two weeks before he turned 16 months and today I see the left one starting to come out. According to the all the charts online he should have roughly 8 teeth by now and approximately 10-12 by the time he is 2 years old. We will see. I just hope they are healthy.
3. Today Charles had his first cleaning. Let me start off saying I have brushed his gums since he was about 3 months old through now two times a day. Around 13 months he had his first ear infection. He was put on Amoxicillin and half way through the dosage I noticed that he was getting a grey looking substance on his teeth. I researched online and contacted the doctor. We went in and half way through she changed his prescription. Well this weekend I notice this film on his top teeth and I get paranoid that Charles' few teeth are laden with cavities. I worry all night and think oh my goodness. I remember about the film substance from the bottom teeth that is still on the back of his teeth from the amoxicillin. I realize that his top teeth are now fully down and that is why I am just noticing the grey film at the tops of his teeth. I take him in to the dentist today and with their brush/tools are able to zap it right off his little teeth- something regular brushing could not do. Yes he screamed and cried a little but no more so than what he has been lately for me while brushing his teeth because he has a very nice sized ulcer on his upper gum.
4. Today I also went to the doctor. I have been feeling pretty worn out lately and having achy joints. I have also lost 10-12 pounds without changing my diet/workout(I'm not complaining about this part). The new symptom is that I have been feeling dizzy when standing up. I developed hypothyroidism during pregnancy and it has stayed normal every time they have checked it since having Charles. This could be normalizing or getting worse or it could be something else all together. I should know from the blood work they did today exactly what is going on with me.
5. I have checked out a new author from a suggestion of Erika. Her name is Kristen Heitzman. I really enjoyed the first book in the  rocky mountain legacy series. Just thought you might be looking for another great author:)

Counting Down

Playing around with the big girl camera.  Taking pictures of a little fella that likes to constantly be on the move is not easy especially when trying to figure out a new feature.

 I love this expression: It is the oh yeah face:)

 Our homemade count down until Christmas. We will be removing a cotton ball each day until Christmas.

Our hand print art for Christmas. I let him color all he wants. Then I trace his hand and make something out of his hand print. This is the kind of art I can handle. If you can think of any other easy art projects to do over the Christmas season with a 1 year please let me know.

Read All About It

In the past months I have stumbled on some really great authors. The plus side is that they are all Christian authors--so you get great story lines without having to worry what you will come into contact with when you turn the page. My top reading topics when I go into the library: historical, fun modern day, mystery, or medical fiction. I like books that make me laugh, cry, and wonder what will happen next. I, like most readers, connect with the characters in the stories and I go through all kinds of emotions while reading. So enough about me.
The first author I would like to introduce you to is Janice Thompson. Her books are light hearted/modern day and very fun reads. I have read two series by her Weddings By Bella and Backstage Pass Series. The wedding series is where you should start. This series has the perfect themed weddings that one could only dream about. Backstage series will reconnect you with old slap-stick humor like I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show. I love the quotes in this series from old Hollywood. I personally can't wait to try out more of her books. It is so nice that in her Backstage series that she mentions characters from her Weddings by Bella series. Check out her blog.
The second author: Karen Witemeyer. Her books will take you back to days gone by to the old wild west. I have read The Short-Straw Bride and fell in love with the characters and story. Four brothers and one fine young lady--who will draw the short straw and have to marry? The second book is To Win Her Heart. Has the new blacksmith changed his ways and will the town allow him to stay after they find out about his rough past. Great story lines right. If your like me you will be begging for more and will not want her books to end. Check out her books and site. My favorite fact from her website is that she loves Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie books.
The third author: Candace Calvert. She gives you a new vision of the lives of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff in her books. I have only read one of her books: Trauma Plan (Grace Medical Series Book 1). This book contained mystery, clinic and ER scenes, and a little romance. I look forward to reading more of her books. She is a former ER nurse turned writer--so people with medical backgrounds when reading her books will not be thinking that doesn't happen while reading. To find out more check out her site.

Now go to your library and check out books by these three amazing authors and let me know what you think.

Thanksgiving Week

Charles received an early Christmas present from Grandma and Grandpa. Check out his new wheels:

 Worn out after a long and busy day of playing.

 Sporting his new shirt sent from his Auntie M, Uncle Andrew, Truman, and Sarah Spratlin.

 When Charles gets bigger we will put this in his room with all his ornaments. This year I just put it up in our dinning room so we would not have to constantly be tree monitoring.

Charles' beautiful handmade stocking from his Aunt Allie. I wish I was this talented.

So I don't forget...

 

Charles is getting better and better at spoon feeding himself. He has tackled and is very good at finger foods. We have been working on this for months. I know he is probably a little behind in this particular milestone. He is a pretty content little guy and is happy to just let someone else, mainly me, feed him. A side plus for me is that it is less messy if I feed him. I have to get over this though because he needs to do these simple things himself. Add in the fact that I am having a hard time realizing he is no longer a baby but in fact a toddler. We are growing together.
Other milestones we are working on: standing from a sitting position, and walking without holding onto something or someone. Like I said before he is pretty laid back guy that does things when he wants to do them. Examples of this: crawling he waited until he was two weeks from turning one to crawl, and rolling over- he hit this milestone early but choose only to do so when he wanted to, and so goes the game.
I think the main reason he doesn't just up and walk is because he gets everywhere he needs to be by crawling and climbing. At least he pulls himself up with ease and will cruise along furniture or I would be a real worried mom instead of a semi-worried one.
He babbles and talks all the time. His favorites right now are "no, bye-bye, what, yeah, mama, dadda." I post these things least I forget them for his baby book and photo book because with our schedule I would not have documentation of his growth and milestones. I was great with birth through year one but I'm beginning to lose steam in this category of mommyhood.

One Awesome Idea

What a cute idea for a family Christmas card. I'm trying to come up with a cute idea for our card this year. What ideas would you suggest?

Sick Boy

Charles has been running a fever and has high white blood count. We are awaiting a 48 blood culture to see what is causing our little guy to be so sick. He has went through a small battery of tests the past two days: chest x-ray, pricked finger to test levels two days in a row, blood being drawn for the culture, urine analysis,  and routine check of ears and throat. For two days in a row he has been given antibiotic shots. We are currently taking oral antibiotics. Please say a prayer for him.

Little Artist

 Charles, a paper plate, and a few crayons.

 In deep thought about what to create.

 I think I will now use the red!

 Keep it on the paper plate.

 Finishing up

Finished product. I traced his hand and added a few features to the turkey hand.

1st art project of many that will go on the fridge.

Halloween 2012

We kept trick-or-treating to a minimum only going to 6 homes. Charles loved going to each house and would hold his own bag for candy. He is such a friendly little guy and would smile and jabber to each person. He loved getting the candy out to hold too.

 Charles' yummy treats

 After getting back from trick-or-treating Charles was wired. He loved standing at the door waiting for trick-or-treaters. He was hyped up until he crashed for the night.

What's your decorating personality

I am linking up with E, Myself, and I today for What's your decorating personality.

I'm considered a classic designer personality. Try it out and let me know your personality.

WHAT DOES CLASSIC LOOK LIKE?

WHO IS CLASSIC?

Classic knows there's a place for everything—and everything belongs in its place. She's a perfectly tailored dress. A smooth, 4-tiered wedding cake. And she imbues her sense of structure with a graceful elegance, an undisturbed calm, and of course, an irrefutable beauty.

 

HOW TO STYLE CLASSIC?

FIRST STEP

Cool ivories and warmer woods combine to achieve a look as strikingly refined as it is inviting.

DESIGNER TRICK

Hunt for an ornate, antique mirror frame and spray paint gold for a new twist.

FRESH IDEA

Turn a room's charm up with a sophisticated curio, like a bust.

HOW DOES CLASSIC ENTERTAIN?

Fill crystal centerpieces with faux or real roses.

Perfectly set silver and china accompany very crisp, tailored linens.

WHAT IS THE PERFECT CLASSIC GIFT?

An elegant picture frame is a timeless gift.

An HG gift card is perfect for any style!

HOW DOES CLASSIC SHOP?

START SMALL FOR UNDER $25

Decorative pillows are priced so you can buy several in varying shapes in complementary tones.

GO BIG FOR LESS

An inviting, upholstered accent chair with nail-head accents.

 

WHO IS BLOGGING CLASSIC?

The Enchanted Home blog has a little something for everyone, making it a fun place for new Classic decorating ideas. See what we mean.

ABOUT

The Enchanted Home is all about building a dream home, showcasing a lot of love for interior design, houses and all beautiful things.

 

Christmas Songs

Is it just me or is there anyone else ready to bust out the Christmas CD's and sing along at the top of your lungs? Well I am so ready. I enjoy the yummy candy and fun costumes for Halloween,  the amazing food and Macy's parade at Thanksgiving, but nothing compares to Christmas carols and songs. Today while at work a couple of the kids started singing what they are practicing for their Christmas concert. Which of course has added flame to the fire of me saying, "no it is not too early." Here are the lyrics to one of the funny songs they are going to be singing:

The Twelve Days After Christmas

(For the Original version of the song look HERE or HERE for sheet music)

The Twelve Days After Christmas
(Frederick Silver)
(Not sung to the same tune as the other song!)


The first day after Christmas, my true love and I had a fight.
And so I chopped the pear tree down and burned it just for spite.
Then, with a single cartridge, I shot that blasted partridge,
That my true love, my true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas, I pulled on the old rubber gloves
And very gently wrung the necks of both the turtle doves,
My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The third day after Christmas, my mother caught the croup;
I had to use the three French hens to make some chicken soup.
The four calling birds were a big mistake,
For their language was obscene .
The five gold rings were completely fake
And they turned my fingers green.

The sixth day after Christmas, the six laying geese wouldn't lay:
I gave the whole darn gaggle to the ASPCA.

On the seventh day what a mess I found:
All seven of the swimming swans had drowned,
My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The eighth day after Christmas, before they could suspect,
I bundled up the . . .
   Eight maids a-milking,
   Nine pipers piping,
   Ten ladies dancing,
   'Leven lords a-leaping,
   Twelve drummers drumming
(spoken) Well, actually I kept one of the drummers(girls)
         Well, actually I kept one of the maids a-milking(boys)

And sent them back collect.
I wrote my true love, "We are through, love"
And I said in so many words,
"Furthermore your Christmas gifts were for the birds!"
(echo of "four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree."

Funny right?

Pumpkin Patch Favorites

Last Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch at Deal's Orchard.

Fun Picture Books to Share

 A very cute book you don't have to read all at once. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma.

 A fun pop up book to read. Charles loves playing with all the pop ups. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

 A precious book even if you are not a Max and Ruby fan. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

Thanks Aunt Heather for this very cute and fun Halloween book.

Adorable and simple.

 Laugh out loud worthy book.

 A great way to explain relationship with a new step-father.

 A very sweet book.

Great book for beginning math skills.

 

 

Talks about how you should treat a book in a very cute way.