The Beauty of a Garden

Okay...so after I posted last night, telling you all that I had planted a garden (and that stuff was actually growing), I started thinking...and figured that most of you who knew me well enough were finding it hard to believe that I would be dedicated enough to plant a garden, and then take care of it to see it come to fruition. Hence, here I am, less than 12 hours from my last post, with documentation to prove that, yes, I have planted a garden that is thus far fruitful (or vegetable full!)

Here is my little garden in full view

On the left are peas and on the right, beans

This is lettuce...actually, it's quite a bit of lettuce.

The seed packet was supposed to plan 100 ft. and I fit them all in these

two tiny rows....oops!

Little thumb sized carrots...how fun!!

Here are my tiny little tomato beginnings!

Now, those of you who know my husband well enough are probably thinking..."What the heck is she gonna do with all those vegetables?? Couldn't she have planted candy?" The question about planting candy, my friends, actually came straight out of the mouth of my husband. And my answer to you is that I am going to be eating a lot of veggies this summer...and trying to convince Josiah that they are oh so yummy!!

As you may be able to tell by my blogging fury, I am off work today...which has led me to believe that if I could only figure out how to work part time, then I would be a better blogging friend. Sorry for all of you that isn't in the cards anytime soon...so you'll have to deal with my updates every five months (I did the math...it wasn't actually six). If you're lucky, you'll get pictures of his first birthday! Now I'm off to clean for my house before I'm reprimanded by my mother who will be here in a few short days...let's hope Josiah keeps sleeping....

Us again...

Wow..has it really been six months?? Sorry folks...time really flies. Well, there's too much too say, and too many pictures...so I won't say much, and I'll just post some of the newer pics of Josiah.

This is Josiah at 6 months

Life has been busy, and it's finally spring, so we are enjoying the nicer weather. I planted a vegetable garden and am really enjoying watching all the plants come up. I've got peas, beans, lettuce, carrots, zuchini, squash and cucumbers, as well as a few tomato plants. The only thing I haven't had any growth with is the cucumbers...bummer! My tomato plants even have a few very small tomatoes growing...it's so cool!

Look at those eyes! I would kill for those lashes!

Josiah is getting big...and old. He's 9 1/2 months now and is such a joy. I can have the most rotten day at work, and as soon as I come home to him and his giggling, smiling self, everything seems better. He's not crawling yet, but man he wants to so bad...it's mixed for me. Obviously I want to see him enter this new exciting stage in life, but at the same time, the thought of baby proofing and ensuring there is nothing dangerous on the floor seems quite overwhelming!

This is one of my all time favorite pictures...how could tht face NOT make you smile?

Josiah LOVES food!! I have enjoyed making some of his foods...the simple stuff, mostly fruits, like pears, mango, banana, kiwi (not his fave), and then squash and sweet potato too. I made chicken once...once...it's so much easier in the jar...He loves his Cheerios, and is great at grabbing them and getting them into his mouth. Yogurt is fun as well, and I just saw Rachel's blog with Isaac eating egg, so I'm off for the next four days (woohoo!) so, maybe we'll try something new.

Five months...first food...banana and rice cereal...not so sure...

A few weeks ago...looks like peas, or beans, or maybe avocado...my how the times have changed!

And yes, you do see teeth...we've got 5 so far!

My babysitter (Annie) had her baby on Sunday, so my mom will be here on Monday for three weeks to take care of Josiah, and we are so excited to see her! As a nice bonus, both of my sisters, my brother-in-law and niece are coming for a weekend as well. Then Eric and I are taking a week off and taking advantage of a live-in babysitter and heading to Chicago for three days for an early anniversary (5 years!) trip. I am really excited and looking forward to time alone with my hubby!

Eric won a picnic basket at a silent auction at work...

and what do you know...it's the perfect Josiah size!

A true Maring...just chillin' after a long day

"Hey ma! Look what I can do! Cool, huh?"

This was just last night...he wants to crawl so bad, I think he dreams about it :)

And yes, he's a mighty drewler!

That's about all for now. Sorry I'm a bad blogger friend...I'm surprised they didn't explode our blog because we never use it! I hope you enjoy the pics.

Josiah Updates

Wow! I can't even believe that Josiah is nearly 5 months old (January 26)...the time has gone faster than I ever could have imagined. Life has been very busy lately...Eric and I are both swamped at work and have had to work at home more nights than not. So, between work, playing with and feeding Josiah, and sleep, there just hasn't been much time for blogging.

Christmas was a lot of fun, and we got to spend some time with my sister, Kim, which was a surprise and such a joy! Josiah wasn't too interested in his presents, but I can only imagine how fun next year will be. This year I felt truly blessed to have such a wonderful addition to our family!

Josiah has been growing like a weed and he brings so much happiness to our lives. At his four month appointment a few weeks ago he was 15 pounds and 25 1/2 inches long...almost double his birth weight, and nearly 4 inches longer!!! He can do so much now; while he continues to be a very serious baby, he will smile when he sees Eric and I, or when he hears our voice. He giggles and laughs, and LOVES peak-a-boo, "noise in the throat" sounds, jumping, flying, and kisses. He is very needy and always wants to see where you are, and prefers to be held. I'm trying really hard to help him understand he doesn't always need to be carried by one of us, that he can entertain himself, and slowly he's learning.

He got an exersaucer for Christmas and loves to play in that...we call it the ADHD machine because of all the toys, lights, and buttons. Even after we've taken off most of the toys that are removable, there are still SO many, but he loves it. We adopted a name from a nice mom at the doctor too, as in their family they referred to it as "the circle of neglect", sad but true. It allows me to get some things done while he's entertained...I say as he sits in it right now!

Josiah is also able to roll over, and is slowly beginning to discover his hands. He can now move sliding toys around on his swing and exersaucer, and will push things that spin. He will put anything in his mouth, and is a big fan of sucking/chewing on his hands. He is fascinated by lights and music, and I hope he will grow up to be musically inclined.

We have been dealing with our first cold this week, and that has been really challenging to see him so sick...stuffy nose, goopy eyes, and sad cough. But we're on the other end, and the one good thing that came out if it is that the doctors FINALLY agreed to try a different reflux medication. So, now instead of Zantac, he is taking Prevacid, and it appears to be working better so far. He does not like naps, and will only take a very few, very short cat naps during the day, no matter what we try. He does sleep decent at night, waking up once in the middle of the night, and once in the early morning, but will usually go back to sleep with out too much of a protest.

Well, this is all I have for now...hopefully it's enough to satisfy. And just for the record, it took me an hour to create this post because Josiah enjoys crying and being held....so we'll probably see you again in 3 months or so!!

Love,

Eric, Ann and Josiah

Garage Pop

One of the joys of a Michigan winter (yes, there are some joys), is garage pop. Those of our warm weather friends may be thinking, "Garage pop? Has she lost her mind? What in the heck is 'garage pop'?" Well, it is when it is cold enough that you can leave your soda/pop in the garage instead of taking up space it the fridge. The wonder of it is that it starts to get all slushy and tastes oh so delicious...and is frozen going down!

Well, we learned today that when the temperatures reach a sub-zero level, garage pop is not so glorious. We came home to find this....(well, I would show you, but Eric already threw it away), so we came home to find a busted open can of Diet Mountain Dew. Then, I slowly looked to the right to the HUGE 36 pack of Diet Pepsi I had just bought at Costco and was sure that there were casualites there as well. Luckily...we only had two gonners....but the rest are slushy and cold ready to drink!

And yes, I am just going to post three and a half months after my last post and pretend like nothing has happened!

Some Random Pictures

Yeah, I know, one day, three posts...don't get used to it, I'm just trying to make up for lost time. Just thought I'd share some cute pictures from along the way...I hope you enjoy!

Eric being...well, Eric...screwin' around with the Moby Wrap

"Get me outta here!" JD's reaction to his first sumbersion bath

The things you learn...when kept warm during bath time, he does much better!

Music time with Auntie Kim

Play time with daddy

These are some awesome onesies my sister made for JD...she tie-died them in espresso and then hand drew the monkey artwork...caffeinated baby...very cool!

So maybe it's not the safest thing, but the hair dryer is one of the few things to calm this boy down when he gets worked up. Eric and I both trying to make the most of JD's quiet time!

Precious

Cuddle time with mommy

Hanging out with Grandma Ruth

French toast muffins with maple glaze, topped with bacon...you know you want one!

Chez Josiah

So, about a week and a half ago, my mom and sister decided that Eric and I needed a night out and a nice dinner. Since they knew that if we went out we wouldn't really be able to relax, wondering how our tiny one was fairing, they decided to suprise with dinner in at Chez Josiah.

I awoke from a nap to my mother informing us that we had reservations in the "Josiah Lounge" in 10 minutes (the lounge turned out to be our living room). We were there served drinks and yummy (bacon) apetizers.




We were then taken to the dining room, which was decorated with beautiful flowers and candles (from our wedding), and we were then served a meal of delicious meal of parmasean monkey bread, flank steak, dutchess potatoes, and sugar peas.




All of that was topped off with dessert, lemon pudding cake with homemade plum sauce. The meal was top notch and couldn't have been outdone by any restaurant.

Their thoughtfulness touched us and we appreciated the meal so much.

My Favorite Things

No, I'm not talking about raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens...I'm talking about my favorite things about Josiah. As I fed JD last night I just sat staring at him in amazement and thought about all the wonderful things I love about him, and felt compelled to share those things with all of you (along with some pictures).

I love:

1. all the different faces he makes as he's drifting off to sleep

2. the way he grabs my finger and holds on as if he's afraid I'm going to leave him

3. the little squeaky noises he makes, just so that we know he's still there

4. his tiny little baby feet and hands

5. his big gray eyes and the way he looks up at me when I'm holding him

6. the way he smiles, even if it is just because he has gas

7. the way he looks like a little frog when you lay him down in his crib to sleep

8. the way he loves to cuddle up close and be held tight

9. his crooked yawn

10. the way he tries to suck his thumb

11. the way that Eric loves him and looks lovingly at him

There are so many more things to list, but these are just a sampling of the things I love about him. He has truly been such a blessing to our lives, I don't know how we got along without him. He's an amazing little person and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him and our new family.