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.