Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts

Monday, October 2, 2017

October Gizzoals




You know how they say September 1st is the new January 1st? Well October 1st (okay, 2nd) is the new September 1st (new January 1st) for working moms of two small kids named Kellie.


FUN RIGHT?

So here's my goals for the month:

  • Whole 30. I am obnoxiously posting this on the internet for accountability. Normally I'm pretty private about stuff like this, but I've been halfheartedly trying to eat totally paleo for the past five months but kept falling face first into gluten free bagels with grassfed butter. So here we are. Follow me at @kellieblogs for the full scoop, meal and snack posts overload. Doing this for several reasons, but really I don't need to justify to anyone why it's a good idea to eat less (no) white crack sugar and more vegetables. But I'll blog about it later this month. 
  • Say no to some things, no matter how fun they look.
  • Establish some work rhythms. I'm still living day-to-day and really need to get some solid rhythms going and schedule out some batch task days.  
  • walk two days a week outside in the fall air
  • work out at least once (yep, at least once in the whole month)
So here's if I had a magic wand what I'd do this month:
  • make my eczema go away
  • make Emmeline sleep through the night and nap during the day
  • schedule all my announcements for the rest of the semester
  • make all my students and parents join my Remind group and message me only there so I only have to check one thing
  • tolerate dairy (namely in the form of cheesecake) 
  • fold all my clothes
  • put all my clothes away
  • wish for more wishes, etc. 
Y'all I freaking love October. Let's do this! My last month of my 20s! Hooray! 

Saturday, July 1, 2017

July Goals | 2017



This July is all about getting rid of JUNK. Junk in my diet, junk in my house, junk in our days– buh bye! As a teacher, I am an unashamed fan of alliteration, so the official hashtag for this de-junking endeavor is going to be #junkfreejuly. Yep. Total nerd and I don't even care.

Diet: My intentions were to be strict paleo postpartum for the first few weeks/months depending on the stability of my skin, and we did a great– and I mean great job preparing freezer meals, but I was not anticipating that I would be constantly hungry around the clock with breastfeeding. I did not remember that from last time. Within two days I had eaten entire bags of tortilla chips, boxes of Lara Bars, gluten free pretzels, gluten free cookies... you name it, I ate it. In general my eczema hasn't been too bad, but it is definitely flaring up in a few places and so I've reinstated light therapy twice a week (I had weaned down to once a week for most of my pregnancy) and am avoiding gluten and dairy at all costs. My sugar sweet tooth is out of control though, so doing a hard reset in July to reign that back in with only a few exceptions (like, almond milk coffee creamer, and some other things that have less than 10g sugar per serving). I probably should eliminate coffee also but I can't. Newborn and toddler life. I have to have coffee. Non negotiable. Caffeine is what really opens my eyes in the mornings.

  • Meal plan for three meals a day + snacks, not just dinners. 
  • Make ahead/batch cook when applicable.
  • Minimal stops at drive thrus, no more Chick Fil A fries-- just fruit cups. 
House: I am shocked at how much stuff we have accumulated since our last major clean out when we got rid of bags and bags and boxes and boxes of stuff. I have a detailed comprehensive list in my bullet journal of things that need de-junking but the gist:
    • baby/toddler clothes– organize in boxes, get rid of ones that do not spark joy (or that don't fit, aren't useful, not seasonally appropriate, etc) and come up with an effective storage plan and DONATE what's left. (A friend of mine volunteers weekly at a crisis pregnancy center that takes baby clothes so I LOVE that I know that it's going to a great place where it will be used!) 
    • my clothes-- go through maternity clothes and get rid of things that I absolutely will not wear if I get pregnant again (probably not happening) and return borrowed items. Store in attic and donate/give away items I don't need/want.
    • toys-- holy cow the toys! I packed up at least 75% of the kid toys into the closet and plan to donate a good chunk of them. Less is so much moore. 
    • attic-- there are a few boxes up there of my childhood items and some other things that I don't even know what they are. Go through, keep and organize or purge. 
    • an array of cabinets and drawers and closets throughout that just need a general walk through with a trash bag. It's time to say goodbye to many many things! 
    • digital-- I have a few external hard drives and cds with photos that need to be put on our personal smug mug. Once they are uploaded, toss! 
Days: Without work in my life, I've been waaaayyyy loose about routine around here. Sleeping until the last possible minute, endless stream of Netflix while I sit and feed the baby. The teacher in me knows that routine minimizes meltdowns for little people (and big people-- ha!) so we have to get a rhythm back before work starts back for me in August. 
    • Limiting us to ONE show on Netflix a day (preferably before lunch or nap, not before bedtime). Movies on Friday only. 
    • Me, waking up at 6 when I feed Emmeline and getting up, getting dressed, getting ready. Our days run so much smoother when I get a head start before the toddler awakes. I can handle him much better if I have something in my belly before his toes hit the floor. Also, I'm up early and have the day's chores handled I can nap when the kids nap. 
    • Limit playdates to 3 days a week. We are LOVING summer schedule and time with friends, but there's quite a bit of chores and errands that have to take place to keep this place running smoothly, and we need some justthethreeofus time. 
So, the overarching goal is essentially Get My Life Back Together Because Real Life is Coming Back Soon. This month of summer fun/maternity leave/postpartum recovery has been sweet, but I'm ready for some more structure.

Some fun things on my summer fun list, though....

  • go to the pool with cousins
  • go to the beach (still talking daddy into this one)
  • make (paleo) apple pie
  • play in the kiddie pool in the front yard
  • eat popsicles for snack
  • see fireworks
  • participate in LOVE WEEK 2017! 
  • visit splash pad again 
  • write more
  • shoot at church some
  • document a day at home 

Thursday, March 16, 2017

March Goal Type Things




HEY MARCH YOU'RE LIKE HALF OVER.

Y'all life is crazy busy. And this fun blog is the first thing to go when life gets busy. Between work, growing a human, wrangling the two year old human, shooting A LOT at church and for friends this month, getting a cold and sleeping a little extra... I'm behind. But I'm catching up today. So BLOGSPLOSION. Here are my goals for the (rest of) the month! I actually tweaked these since I originally wrote them the first week of the month because some of the stuff there's NO WAY I'll actually do it. So let's be realistic, shall we? Set ourselves up for some success ;-) 
  • continue bullet journaling 
    • I love this thing. It's the perfect planner for me and my brain. 
  • share some of our "minimalism" changes here on the blog
    • We are just getting started on our minimizing journey, it's been a process getting us to this perspective, and we certainly aren't "all in" or "all there" but the changes we've made so far have improved our quality of life TREMENDOUSLY (mine especially). Excited to share some of what we've learned so far. 
  • eat #moreveggiesinmarch 
    • Last year we did this with my pal Lauren and it was SO hard but so good and my goal last time was crazy. This time, I'd rather set a small goal and shred it everyday-- I'm at that point in my life/pregnancy where I just want to feel good about myself and my choices. I'd rather eat 9 servings on a good day and 3 on a bad day and still end up meeting my goal. No shame. 
      • 3 servings a day, roughly one a meal. 
  • make "HOME STRETCH" to do lists 
    • There are literally hundreds of  little things I need to do to prepare for this baby to come for work (eep). Make a massive work prep list and home prep list for logistics so I don't forget anything! 
  • complete Foto February Challenge 
    • and blog it, and finalize my changes for next year!
  • hit my "homestretch goals" every day
    • 4k steps a day
    • 2 liters of water a day
    • greens everyday 
    • "chill time" 30 minutes every day 
    • write scripture daily (memorizing Philippians 2:1-16 for my egroup! So far I've got 2:1-4 down, working on 5-7 today!) 

Thursday, February 2, 2017

February Goal Type Things 2017



  • set up and start bullet journaling 
    • I have the most wonderful undated monthly/weekly/daily planner from Target that I discovered was a one time collaboration and it sent me spiraling into the depths of the internet to find a new one. I'm super duper not interested in paying more than $20 (even that's more than I'd want to pay...) for something I will scribble on, spill coffee on and that potentially has features I do not need, care about or plan to use. Per the recommendation of my sweet friend Marie, I finally Googled some bullet journaling tutorials and that is TOTALLY how I already run my work flow/schedule-- except I was using a pre-made undated planner. Amazing. I'm excited to try it, and am looking forward to having a central location for lists too. I have a running tab of lists in my phone and legal pads about and the idea of having them all in one place gets me so excited. I found a cheap-ish one on Amazon that will arrive tomorrow and now I just need a good black pen. Hit me with your favorites. 
  • start teaching round 2 of Financial Peace University
    • It's starting February 19th! We've partnered with Elevation Raleigh to offer this course AGAIN with free childcare, coffee and no rush hour traffic. We will meet at Millbrook High School on Sundays during the 9:30 worship experience. The course runs for 9 weeks and you are free to come check it out without investing in the kit-- it WILL change your life! Register here: https://fpu.com/1036068
  • go to Ikea (FINALLY YOU GUYS) 
    • I get paid on February 10th and we have quite an Ikea list. Several house projects are in the works and we are borrowing a mini-van and plan to fill 'er up! Yippee! 
  • assemble king bed + move queen bed to the Big Boy Room + move crib into the Baby Girl Room! 
    • We're playing musical beds! We're getting a memory foam king bed (adulting, so much adulting) and our queen mattress is going in Lincoln's room and his crib (now toddler bed) is getting moved into baby girl's room. 
  • make a nesting to-do list and clean out, organize and start preparations for Baby Girl's Room!
    • We've already gone through the clothes, downsized tremendously and have a ton of NB through 3mo stuff washed and ready, just need to get it in the room, put it all away and hang stuff on the walls. Post coming soon with inspiration for her room. EEEEEEP. 
  • complete Foto February Challenge
    • I came up with this photo challenge for the month just for funsies. I've only done one so far, and it's really fun! And really challenging to let go of the pretty image ideal... jump in! There are no rules! 
  • finish reading Respect Dare
    • This book has been pivotal in this season of transition. We're not quite newlyweds, we're preparing to transition to two kids, we've been in our house for five years.. it's an interesting place to be and this book has provided such a shift in perspective for me. It is cheesy at times and the lil' feminist in me sometimes screams and wants to stop reading it, but I'm finding it important that I challenge my thinking on all front and see things from other perspectives.  I'm slated to finish it in the next two weeks (I'm a bit behind) and there are already quite a few "dares" that I haven't really done full out and I'd like to do again. Perhaps this fall will be a good time to do that, I think! Regardless, I totally recommend it if you're looking for some guidance in approaching marriage biblically. Men speak respect, women speak love and it's a really great combination of these ideas with some practical tips, "dares" and reflections. A great "quiet time" piece and has sparked some wonderful conversations between Marshall and I. Highly recommend! 
  • maintain existing + continue developing good habits
    • I've upgraded my water bottle to a 1L and am drinking 2-3 liters a day. Want to keep that up! 
    • I've been getting up early to work in the mornings and it has been a game changer for my stress level! Finding such peace and joy working in the wee hours of 5 and 6am. I don't even know who I am anymore...
    • I lowered my step goal to 6k a day, and some days it's easy to hit and surpass, others not so much. Get back to walking every day and yoga 1x a week once I hit 30 weeks. 
  • enjoy at least one Lincoln + Mama day each week
    • I'm getting all nostalgic about only having ~13ish weeks left of this pregnancy, and the transition to 2 YEARS OLD hasn't been too bad, but there are definitely a few more tantrums than there used to be. It's getting more difficult to wrangle him in public when he decides to not obey, BUT-- it's worth it. We've been going to Marbles a lot, would like to maybe go to Pullen Park and ride the train one day, go get special donuts at Levant... and also, would like to document one of these with my big camera. 


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

2017 GOALS | part one


I'm still working on the action steps, but I have my "whats" and "whys". Realistically, I know a good chunk of this year is going to be about surviving. A new baby means sleep will be lacking, as will time to myself and my ability to have clear coherent thoughts most of the time. My goals this year are really "big picture", I've have had some 'action steps' written down and just haven't really gotten them rolling yet. I have a lot of little things to do to get ready for baby (including quite a bit of work to prepare considering I'll have a newborn the last month or so of my spring and yearlong courses and no maternity leave).  The idea of coming up with strict goals for this year with strict action steps I would likely not follow through with was really stressful and overwhelming so instead, I'm just focusing on the big picture.

Our pastor encourages us to come up with a word for the year of what we want to define or describe what God will do in our life. Nothing really came to mind for me so I asked Marshall what his was. He chose abide from one of our new songs we sing at church Hallelujah, Here Below. It's one of my favorites. I love the message and perspective. So much.

We are an altar of broken stones
But you delight in the offering
You have the heavens to call your home
But you abide in the song we sing
Ten thousand angels surround your throne
To bring you praise that will never cease
But hallelujah from here below
Is still your favorite melody
And should the fire that once burned bright
Become an ember my eyes can't see
I will remember your sacrifice
I will abide in your love for me
Jesus Christ our king enthroned
all the praise is yours forevermore
Hallelujah, Here below
All the praise is yours, forevermore

Let this be me this year! In the hours of pain, labor and delivery, where time stands still.  In the fog and cloudiness of early postpartum days. In the  eternal, seemingly never ending weeks and months of sleep deprivation and healing in my body. In the moments of toddler tantrums and crying babies. In the heaps of laundry, piles of dishes, accumulating dirt and dog hair. In the unanswered emails, text messages and assignments ungraded. In the reality of something always left neglected, unfinished, incomplete and undone. Let me abide in your love for me, survive on your word, rely on your truths and believe the promises for my future. This is my big picture for 2017. 

2017: Abide 
2016: Thrive
2015: Simplify
2014: Goals

So here's my big picture. I wasn't sure how to categorize them this year. It's a combo of what worked, what didn't work, what I want to make time for and actions I guess for abiding.

Maintain. 
  • Diet. 
  • Routines.
  • Personal photo taking and organization. Digital workflow with Lightroom and uploading to personal Smugmug. 
Improve.
  • Time management at home. 
  • Adhere to chore/housework rotation to do a little bit daily, so I don't feel overwhelmed when it all starts to pile up. 
  • Finish work during the day. / Improve workflow to be more efficient. 
  • Online storage of RAW files.
  • iPhone photos. Take less, delete more, keep fewer. 
Enjoy.
  • Family time! 2+ a week, finish work before Marshall gets home so we can unwind, cook dinner, and play with Lincoln before bedtime and have QT after bedtime (aka play Monopoly Deal) 
  • Baby books! Yes, plural. I still haven't finished Lincoln's. Finish Lincoln's, prepare baby girl's so once she's here all I have to do is write stuff down and print photos. 
  • Print pictures for our photo wall from 2016 and 2017. 
  • Order/finish my 2016 Chatbook (I currently have a ticket open with them, I have three stubborn photos that won't go into my book....).  
  • Read for fun (post forthcoming with books for the year!) 
  • Take care of myself. 6k step goal daily, water daily, vegetables + vitamins daily. Smoothies 2x a week, broth 2x a week. relaxing baths 2x a week. 
  • Enjoy newborn days. No visitors first two weeks (sorry, but also not sorry!). Sleep, recover, nurse and savor! 
  • Make seasonal goals/bucket lists for quality family time. 
Abide. 
  • Read and study the Bible frequently. 
  • Listen to uplifting, encouraging podcasts.
  • Pray frequently.

Happy New Year! 

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

November 2016 Goal Type Things



HEY NOVEMBER! I really like you. Not sure if these are goals or just a list of things to look forward to, either way, I'm down!
  • turn 29! Celebrate the weekend of with so many of my favorite things: Cornhuskin' at my alma mater, dinner with wonderful friends Friday and Saturday night, shooting child dedications at church on Saturday, shooting the worship experience on Sunday, and who knows what else! 
  • start leading Financial Peace University on Tuesday nights at our house 
  • print our Halloween photo from this year (and two years ago, couldn't find it before) to stash w/ our fall decor
  • lots of fun essential oil/diy projects. Order glass bottles and:
    • make Thieves sanitizing hand spray 
    • re-do face toner w/ YL oils 
    • make lavender linen spray
    • make ACV hair rinse
    • make floor cleaner
    • some roller blends (immune boost, fever decreaser, stress away, etc.) 
  • go to Ikea and purchase our KING SIZE BED
  • before going to Ikea phase 1 of big boy room prep: get all baby clothes boxed up and ready to go through once we find out gender of #2 (probably not until December); go through the room and THROW AWAY/DONATE anything that is just sitting there taking up space
  • knock some things off our fun fall to-do list
    • paint pumpkins (we didn't squeeze this in before Halloween so we're gonna make Thanksgiving pumpkins? Whatever that means)
    • make and enjoy a little just us family (paleo) Thanksgiving before the big day 
    • donate to the Food Bank 
  • Second Annual Tacosgiving with my sister and her family and my dad. The day after Thanksgiving, we will eat tacos and finish off the night with cutie cousin boys in matching Christmas pajamas. 
  • start prenatal yoga
  • make a pregnancy "don't forget" list-- only 26 more weeks! That sounds like a lot but it doesn't feel like a lot... 
  • select and print a minimum of 10 family/Lincoln photos from the year to hang on our hallway photo wall
  • make detailed Christmas list and budget spreadsheet, including giving 
  • decorate our house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving! 
  • create the frame for Lincoln's baby book. I was INSPIRED a few weeks ago to totally redo/finish his baby book. 
I'm ready! Let's finish strong 2016! 

Friday, August 19, 2016

RIP August Goals


It's August 19th. Is it too early to throw in the towel on my goals for the month?

  • Getting back to my "why" and blog EVERY DAY. More about that here. This is not working. Requires a lot more planning than I planned (ha!) and I learned quickly that every day meant every WEEK day, I have to unplug on the weekends. I've missed two days so far, and am realizing that 3x a week is more realistic. 
  • Finish Wild and Free (for real this time). Read 10 minutes before bed every night. I have not read for 10 minutes before bed every night (or anything close to that) but I did finish Wild and Free and it was amazing. I am so glad I read it. 
  • Read a story in Spanish to Lincoln every day. This has happened some days, but would you believe me that if I start reading a story in Spanish, he closes the book and says "done"-- or just cries at me until I speak in English? By far  the youngest person ever to reject me as a Spanish teacher.
  • Meet 10k step goal 5x a week. I think I've met my goal maybe 5x this whole month so far, the heat makes it so hard to get outside to walk and pushing the stroller/cart doesn't count if I forget to put my Fit Bit on my shoe. 
  • Make green smoothies 2x a week. Haven't made a single one. 
  • Wake up at 6am weekdays to get some work done before son up. Nope. All the sleep.  
  • Implement a new daily cleaning schedule, will share later! Basically splitting all the cleaning that needs to be done into daily tasks (on top of daily chores) to keep our house cleaner and me a little more sane... #doghair #kelliehair First week was strong! 2nd week we went to the beach and 3rd week we kept my nephew so, I'll be starting that over on Monday. 
  • Finish up my summer course STRONG + start fall 2016 courses!
  • Savor this last month of one on one time with Lincoln-- he starts preschool in September. He'll only be going 2 days a week, but still-- it's the end of an era! 

These goals really help me stay centered and focused, and do a good pulse check. I can let my time and days go and will find myself wondering where they went, but I'm gonna call this month what it is: SUMMER. And if there's a time to be lazy, or not to keep track of things, or to stay up late and sleep in it is summer, because all too soon school will be back in session, I'll have a kiddo in preschool and 60+ students in my online classes that need to call/text/email/message me. So my goals for the rest of August:
  • Keep reading Greater.
  • Sleep as late as possible every single day before school starts back.
  • Make all 16-17 Welcome Calls before September 1. 
  • Take naps.
  • Take lots pictures. 
  • Come up with another word for these monthly things besides 'goals'. 
  • Make at least one smoothie.
  • Meet Fit Bit goal at least once.
  • Keep blogging. 


Monday, August 1, 2016

August Goals 2016


Goodbye July! It was a really busy month around here, and while it was filled with wonderful things, and lots of relaxation and slow summer days, I am definitely looking forward to fall. Cooler weather, more predictable schedule, and just in general-- many exciting things to come! As a teacher the fall always feels like a fresh start, and I'm looking forward to getting moving again (read: walking) and starting a new school year. 
  • Getting back to my "why" and blog EVERY DAY. More about that here. 
  • Finish Wild and Free (for real this time). Read 10 minutes before bed every night. 
  • Read a story in Spanish to Lincoln every day. 
  • Meet 10k step goal 5x a week. 
  • Make green smoothies 2x a week.
  • Wake up at 6am weekdays to get some work done before son up. 
  • Implement a new daily cleaning schedule, will share later! Basically splitting all the cleaning that needs to be done into daily tasks (on top of daily chores) to keep our house cleaner and me a little more sane... #doghair #kelliehair 
  • Finish up my summer course STRONG + start fall 2016 courses!
  • Savor this last month of one on one time with Lincoln-- he starts preschool in September. He'll only be going 2 days a week, but still-- it's the end of an era! 
Happy August! 

Saturday, July 2, 2016

July Goals



If you're keeping score, you'll notice that I dropped the ball on May and June goals. Oopsies. But, I'm back and we're officially in the second half of 2016 and I'm here and reporting for duty.

Since I last checked in, things have been wild and crazy! I wrapped up the 2015-2016 school year *praise hands*, and started the 2016-2017 school year in a brand new LMS and it's amazing. My friend Stephanie and I started a mom group through church and have held weekly playdates which has been  super enjoyable, and not very stressful as I initially thought it would be. My course load for the summer is low, so I'm enjoying a slow summer. This is very welcomed, especially after last summer, so we've been enjoying slow summer days with a little bit of work scattered here and there, and lots of fun things for me. I've been gardening (we've eaten three zucchinis from our yard!) and walking and writing and Shopkicking and just general chilling out, loving my people. I've been tempted to fill my days with things, but one of my dear friends candidly told me last night that I live my life at one speed: warp speed. This made me chuckle, but it is kind of true... so, this is me. Slowing down, and trying to stay awake. Really I have two speeds: warp, and sleeping. I take an annual sabbath week between Christmas and New Year's, but I'm open to the idea of observing one in the summer months too. 

So here's my slow and easy July goals! 
  • Finish Wild and Free, start Greater
  • Host my first outreach project with Elevation Raleigh during Love Week-- a dance for my friends at the Durham County Special Olympics. I am so in over my head with planning this, but it's going to be fun! If you're local, sign up! You don't have to go to Elevation!
  • Celebrate the Elevation Raleigh 2 year anniversary on July 24!
  • Second shoot a wedding with my wonderful friend Stephanie Byrd.
  • Use Nikon lenses with the Mark ii for our "everyday" July photos.
  • Get to bed by 10pm every night, wake up at 6am.
  • Go for an intentional walk daily and/or meet 10k step goal.
  • Write every day-- not necessarily to blog, but just for fun.
  • Get my nose pierced. I've been thinking about it long enough. It's happening. It's time. 



Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Our Everyday Photos: The End of May

My goal of documenting a whole day from start to finish has become increasingly challenging, as this baby of ours is turning more and more into a little boy right before my eyes! These photos were taken over the past week, just having my camera in tow and sitting out at home. I took almost 600 pictures, flagged 100 and narrowed it down to these 35 to blog. Man oh man. I have a hard time deleting pictures of Lincoln.

It's summertime, and as much as I'm dreading the 100º weather, and the sweat that comes with it, I love spending these days with this kid. Last week I wrapped up spring semester and my year long courses, and we have just a few weeks to hang out, take naps, play with cousins before summer session starts. So, this is what we're up to these days now that it's officially summer break!

I'm growing my first food garden. I started simple with zucchini, herbs and carrots this year. So far we have two baby zucchinis and one carrot is flourishing! I've already killed one basil, but rosemary is going strong.


Lincoln' loves to play his jingle bells in the backseat when we ride in the car. It's seriously his favorite. Dances and sings along to whatever music is playing, and lately plays the jingle bells too! 


We got to spend the day with my sister and nephews last week and played outside some. The boys loved it. I am so thankful they are close in age and aren't too far away so we can get together and play! I love this picture. It reminds me of baby pictures of Marshall so much. 





Lately, Lincoln is all about wearing his water shoes around the house, sitting on the couch by himself and having very specific opinions about which cup he wants to drink out of. 


We've been drilling "look but don't touch" towards computers since he started pulling up (10 months). Clearly it's going well. 


Marshall cooks dinner pretty much every night (he's the best), and so my job is to entertain Lincoln, unless I'm working and Marshall somehow does both. 


We love the little applesauce packets from Aldi, and a few weeks ago they had some "special buy" ones with sweet potato and blueberry, and spinach and pear! I bought like 10 boxes because Lincoln loved them when he was younger. The labels are different than the other ones, and he seriously gives them a once-over before eating them. If it has the new label (pictured above) he doesn't want anything to do with them. Smarty pants. 


He has gotten SO tall lately. Seventeen months old this month. 


So tired. I think this was a short or no-nap day. 


I think he's had a runny nose since his birthday. 





Lately loves to play "I'm gonna get you!". If you say, "I'm... gonna...." he starts laughing like a crazy person and runs TOWARD you. 

Breakfast for dinner is one of our favorite things! We love these waffles so much. 
 Lately Lincoln has started noticing when we pray at home before meals and when we're at church or if he's at egroup or a church meeting with me. It is the best. He says "baaaaaaaby" instead of amen. Tonight at dinner he kept reaching for our hands and saying "paaay", which is also how he says "play". So cute. We'd take turns thanking God for stuff (mama is feeling better, it's not raining today, yummy porkchops and broccoli, yummy water to drink, etc.) and he would babble something in Lincoln-ese and then say "baaaaaaaby" and Marshall and I would say "aaaaaaamen!".
 And this is how a lot of dinners go these days. There's usually a mid-meal meltdown.
 My super favorite dramatic Lincoln crying pose as of late. Covers eyes. Wails. 

 But, it's all good once a parent holds him and lets him eat off their plate (it's usually mine, but I was taking pictures).
 And bonus points if parent's plate gets moved to the high chair.
 Sunday mornings when I shoot and Marshall plays bass, we get this kid up at 5:30am and head to church by 6 and he LOVES it. This was in between bites of banana at 6am and he was so happy to be there! I could write volumes about our church and how much we love serving on Sundays, especially together. They love us and our boy so well!
 Dude has become quite a picky eater as of late, and so I figured all of America may be onto something with the whole PB&J thing, so I made him one on gluten free bread (of course) and he loved it. It's become kind of a staple around here the past week or so, but just PB and honey. We are out of J, which is totally fine with me :)



This daredevil is all about standing in his high chair, which I halfway want to get in a picture, but also feel like if I let him do it long enough he'll fall / think it's okay to do. So.... this is what I got before I intervened. 


After most meals or snacks, if it isn't nap time we'll head upstairs and play in the playroom. He'll run in saying "paaaaaaaay!" which is the cutest thing ever. He'll usually play by himself for a little bit (it took him a while to be able to do this) and sometimes I'll sit on the futon and read, play with my phone or work (not this week, though!) and I try to sit down and play with him for a few minutes. Lately he wants to sit with me on the futon or he'll come over to me and tell me "paaaaaaay!" which is fun. He loves the shape puzzle (and apparently taught himself how to do it a few weeks ago... I might be a first timer, but I was SHOCKED when I saw him put all the pieces in the right place!), Legos and lately is super into cars (rooooom!) and trains (too-too!). We watched an episode of Little Einsteins the other day and Rocket turned into a train and I thought Lincoln was going to pee his pants. He was SO excited about the too-too. 



Like this week Lincoln has started playing with the camera I got him for Easter. It has interchangeable lenses which I LOVE and today he sat for like 15 minutes just swapping the lenses in and out and saying "cheese!". 

I just want to memorize those baby fingers and toes and keep them forever. 


"Cheese!" not sure if this is just toddler backwards-ness or if he's taking a selfie. 


Oh, little man. I love these days just the two of us. They are so fun, exhausting and messy. We pretty much have food all over our face (and some boogers, and some dog hair) a lot of the time. Sometimes we go to Target in the clothes we slept in. We have messy hair pretty much constantly. Wouldn't trade this time for anything. Here's to summer number two! 

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Our Everyday Photos: April 11

Monday, April 11th was a fun day! We woke up and went to the park with our friends, came home and ate lunch, played some more downstairs and upstairs in the playroom. Lincoln took a good nap after falling asleep standing up in his crib (this week was marked as "cry it out"week. Hard, but very very good and very necessary!), and woke up, had a snack and then we went for a walk. While we were out walking Dada got home and started making dinner and while he finished up dinner we played around downstairs. After dinner I had to teach a class so I missed bedtime, but next time I want to get pictures from wake-up to sleep time! Each of these is such a sweet part of our days right now. Playing, podcasts, bananas, crazy hair, reading books, baby Legos,  talking on the "phone", snuggling stuffed animals, walks, fun talks about farm animals, obsession with bubbles, trying to eat with a fork... we have fun. Play all day!