THANK YOU Uncle David!

Uncle David used one of his many talents to make a swing set for Phin. It was ready last fall but we didn't get a chance to get it up here from the farm before it got cold outside. When Grandma Susie came to visit on her birthday weekend, she brought the swing set along and we got it all set up!

Grandma Susie and I stained and sealed the bench swing while Phin was napping.





Daddy worked hard to get the swing set put together.


After fetching, Maggie decided to relax.


Phin got the FIRST try on the swing!

Maggie is a good dog!

This was our weekend to cook for church. We had tested and decided on "Ninja Sauce, red potato & asparagus, french garlic bread and a dessert of Angel food cake with fresh strawberries and also, lemon bars. For this particular event, we cook for about thirty people. SO, you can imagine the moving food from our home to the church. It requires lists, *MY* cooking tools, crates of food and SOME items I cook ahead of time as there is a time the food is to be served!

We had the list, the signs for the food, the serving dishes, the crates of food ready to be prepared as well as the food that was made earlier in the morning.

But, being a parent, you should expect GLITCHES. Usually, I am pretty good about expectations for these glitches and systems around the glitches... but this one... I didn't expect. Dan was at the stove finishing some Italian sausage for the meal and I was pulling a comb through my hair. Phin was laying in his crib, in only a diaper (he has been freshly showered) rolling around and playing.

All of a sudden, I hear blood curdling screaming from my baby. This is QUITE unusual so I walk into his room and find his chubby little leg stuck in between the slats of the crib. I tried to work his leg out, but his fat rolls and bare skin weren't helping the situation. Phin was, obviously, quite upset and I was unable to help him so I yelled to the kitchen to get help from Daddy. Dan came but he was also unable to get the leg out. I ran to the kitchen and got some spray olive oil and sprayed his leg up and out it slipped.

I think that was the worst thing that ever happened to that little boy and he was quite inconsolable. We didn't expect this leg thing - and it put us behind on the clock... so as we tried to rush everything to the car to make it to church on time, one soldier got left behind. That soldier was - the lemon bars - which I got left on the kitchen floor. (they had been lined up with the crates of food going to the car but since they were cold and food was hot and the crates were full, they were in line on the floor waiting to go to the car.) I thought Dan had them, he thought I had them and once we realized what happened, we were a round trip - 1 hour from home and we had to mourn the loss of the lemon bars. We both understood that Maggie would certainly have eaten them - or at least destroyed them with her face or feet or something. I mean, Montana had once dug through Mary Ann's luggage from London to pull out a HUGE special dark chocolate bar of which she devoured most of it. Who's to think Maggie would leave these lemon bars alone?



But for whatever reason, she did not touch the lemon bars at all! My guess is she was sleeping on our bed - on MY pillow (which is one of her favorite things).

Phin's Cheer-I-O-s

Additionally, this was Phin's first try at the Cheerios. I decided that he needs to be able to start working on self feeding. He hasn't has a chance to put food in his own mouth lately - besides a rogue bottle here and there. The Pediatrician said he should not have fruit until he's able to pick it up and eat it himself. SO, before apples (that's a joke) comes a cheerio!











Feeding by Daddy, video by Mommy!

Phin's Big Day

This is a picture of Phin and Mommy!
Phin had a good morning hanging with Daddy while Mommy went out to hunt (deals) and gather (produce) at the local supermarket!


Mid-day, Phin wrapped himself up in his play pad! We love our silly boy!


In the evening, Mommy gave Phin his first "Trainer cup." He knew what to do with it straight away! Phin sipped while reclining on Daddy!

Ya, so I used to groom dogs...

and I thought, it can't be THAT much harder to cut boy hair. Right?
So, I watched Dan get his last haircut and then last night while Grandmother Allen played with Phin, Mommy went after Daddy's hairs like he was a naughty little Mini Schnauzer. For the first time ever, it went okay. I am sure it'll take less time and less mirror checks by daddy in the future. I tell you, it's a BLAST being a member of this family. Phin gets fish oil squeezed into his mouth (via a dropper) daily and now, daddy get's "home haircuts"! Woohoo!

Sunday Night Family Fun!

Goodbye Flowers

Phin is walking in his tot walker (as shown in pictures below). Phin is now good at walking TOWARDS things he wants to check out and THEN "playing" with what he's walked up to. Mama needs an extra set of eyes in the back of her heads!

Manatee from The Greats!

Great Grandma & Grandpa brought back some toys for Phin from Florida. So far, I have only given Phin access to one - the Manatee. Phin likes to play with it in his tot walker. As you can see, he kinda loves the Manatee...

Creative Problem Solving?

Phin has a bad habit - of scratching the all get out of his head. I know he has some dry skin and I am sure it itches, but that is no reason for him to be drawing blood on himself. Most of the time I have him wear a hat (and yes, I also oil his head often) but lately, he has found that he's able to take that hat off himself.
So, my first idea was to construct for him mittens that He is unable to take off. However, I was unsure of how to make said mitten without a pattern.
SO, what is the next best thing?
I thought back to my honorary degree in Occupational Therapy.
The answer?
"Mommy, why did I have SOCKS on my hands in this picture?"
For good reason son!
LeaAnn would be SO PROUD!

Phin's rocking and learning (hopefully)

Okay, I am NOT trying to be one of those pushy parents. However, it seems my little boys really LOVES to watch TV. I am sure I have touched on this topic before - if not on the blog, then certainly in person. I have done research and it states that children should not watch tv before they are 2yrs old. Further research suggests that more so, parents shouldn't use the tv in lieu of personal one on one attention with their child. Additionally, at age one, a child can understand the EMOTIONAL aspect of programming - so while they don't completely understand the show in full, they can glean the emotion out of the program - which is why we don't let our children watch adult programing. (I don't know if I have explained that well, but it makes sense to me.)
So, it's basically impossible to keep his little eyes off of the tv - especially when he's not in our arms all of the time anymore. SO, I though on the situation and tried to find a good solution. I think my solution was a good one. It was:
iKNOW Animals, Letters & Sounds (DVD series.) It teaches letters, sounds and animals of the rain forest. The series is actually made for pre-schoolers - which Phin is currently NOT a preschooler. Nor is my intention to make his a super early reader - or whatever. What I AM trying to do is make a healthy alternative for something he's doing that *I* don't find OK. So, he wants to stare at the TV? Well, okay. It's gonna be the Rain forest animals then. Hey, I have learned some interesting things too - like a taper has four toes in the front feet and three toes on the back feet. I can also pick out an agouti from a picture lineup. Trust me, it's party time here at the Hyphin House! Woo Hoo!

Check out our involved he can get in the video (though, it's not for very long in one sitting). (He is standing in his exer-saucer, staring at the tv).

SEVEN

I love Tivo. With tivo, you tell the little box what things you want it to record and it just does it. I don't have to look up channels, times, days... tivo takes care of everything. When I am watching something on tivo, I can just fast forward through the advertisements and go right on to the rest of the program - saving time and my sanity! If I miss something on tivo, all I have to do is rewind and catch up. If I need to leave the room, I can put it on pause (for up to thirty minutes) and then it will start playing again on it's own. Sometimes I forget that tivo is just for the TV. When I am in the car listening to the radio and miss a date or place on an add and want to hit the rewind button on the tivo - but oh, this is radio so I can't.

I WISH tivo was a part of every day life. If it was, I would rewind for the last thirty minutes (maybe 'days' in tivo land) and then push the pause button. As it turns out, Phin is seven SEVEN months old and I just want to yell "STOP"! I need some catch up time!

Phin is doing cyclone rolling throughout the house. Phin is trying to crawl and is mimicking walking in his tot-rider. Phin is rolling here and there to move toward what he wants and away from what he doesn't. Phin knows that when we are in the car, it's "his time" to talk in long rambling sentences/(baby babble). He knows that when food on a spoon is headed toward his mouth, all he has to do is purse his lips together to keep said food out. All of these things are happening too quickly and I just need things to slow down a bit.

Phin is now teething as well. The teeth are not yet coming through, but he's in pain and he's chewing the all get out of my fingers, his fingers, his toys etc.

The fact that he's moving and rolling and playing and even teething - these are all GREAT THINGS. These things are happening as God intended. These things are the natural progression of growth and development and for that, I am grateful. I just, want to hold him in my arms when it's his nap time and bed time - because I know soon enough (too soon for me) Phin will be off on his own two feet and my baby will be a boy.

I guess I have just never had an opportunity to feel joy for progress and pain for the loss of dependence on me - all at the same time. This is the point when I have to suck it up and look towards the smile in my heart and say "grow Phin grow!"

All bets are off!

Phin was on his blanket with toys all around.
I was sitting at the mac in front of the coffee table.
... and I hear this... crinkling.
THAT was the moment that I understood that everything had changed.


I felt a BUMP at my foot and looked down and saw THIS.







I guess he's interested in learning about computers - like his daddy (this is the mac cord that he pulled out of the computer.)



Baby proofing will be finished TONIGHT!

He's growing up too fast!

Today was his first try at the cell phone. I don't know who he's gonna call. Maybe his grandma? Needless to say, I didn't let him at my phone...



And then the food. He's STILL not a big fan of carrots. I think it's because they're not spiced up like we usually do in this house... Then again, it may be the consistency of the carrots. Who knows. I am SURE he'll let me know exactly what his problem is when he starts talking.




He is saying some things now. First was Dadadadada. He also does Ba, and maybe Duh. And of course, squeals galore!

Today was the day...

I took a picture of him this morning - looking cute in his little outfit.

Then later in the day, he was playing on the floor as I worked on dinner.
I looked at him and what did I see?
Belly time?
Very carefully, I grabbed my camera and grabbed a shot and what did he do?

He tried it hide it away - like the baby bullhead we created!

But once he knew I knew, we went back to his belly to play for a bit.

Dear Mommy:

I was so happy with myself that I didn't get your chest cold!
But, uh, I think it started last night and then continued on yesterday and now...
well, I have it.
:(
I am continually coughing up half of a lung!
The good news is that I have a great haircut AND I got to see you!
I'm not mad, but I am also not going to be able to go to the gym tomorrow.
The good news there is that I will have the weekend to recuperate! (yay)

Oh, also Dan is going to leave to save the world tomorrow morning.
The particulars involve the ice/snow in South Missouri (call me on the phone tomorrow to learn more.) Oh, and about that, I think my phone is freezing out in the van at the moment.

One more thing!
We bought Phin clothes yesterday. We went to the outlet mall with a 20% your entire purchase to our favorite kids store. Just imagine: a lot of un-purchased inventory at HUGE discounts; a baby who has grown out of tons of his clothing; a hand made spreadsheet of each piece of clothing he has (from Auntie) (and in what size it is) AND a Mommy who is planning ahead into the 2T, 3T & 4T's... and the final verdict is 25 pieces (some of those pieces are actually SETS, like "shirt & overalls") and a bottom line "savings" of $470.00 Almost every single piece I bought was around four dollars and some change and Phin is pretty much set for years!

Okay, now for some sleep and some lactation approved cough syrup.
I'll add pictures of the new clothes and jammies as soon as I get a moment.

Oh, and don't worry about me. Grandmother Allen said that if I get too run down while Phin's Daddy is away - she will come take care of us both. I mean, I expect that I will be okay - just tired and coughing and stuff - but it's good to know that Gma Allen is there is I need her (just like you are!)

XOXO!
Phin's mama.

High maintenance? Not so much.

Every single day I go to pick up Phin from the child care at the gym, the child care provider is holding him. I always feel a little guilty, like she's (it's a different lady each day of the week) holding him because he's an only child who requires too much personal attention. I ask him "Phin, are you being too high maintenance?" while he's in her arms beaming at me.
The lady today told me what is REALLY happening.
You see, Phin will be in the swing or the jumpie chair or on the floor (on a blanket that I provided) and he will -ALMOST- be asleep and one of two little girls (who are toddlers) will walk up to him and pluck his soother (binki) from his mouth - which will wake him up. They will then proceed to play with his binki - which is tethered to his clothing via a binki clip which will annoy him and - ahhhh, he's picked up by the child care provider and here we have it.... It looks like Phin is the trouble maker. :)

I am happy to know he's so perfect!

(As I put him in his car seat while he slept today one of the little girls came to pluck the binki from his mouth and she said that "Binkis are for babies!" I asked her - "Is this a baby or a little boy?" She said "He's a BABY!" I said, "So, he can have his binki then, because he's a baby - right?" She said "Yes." However, with that said, I expect her to be plucking his binki again tomorrow. That's just a little kid for you - huh.

Sometimes you just have to wait

For the right moment to present itself.
This is an example. Dan and I had a broken down sofa. I had bought it when he was away for basic training the first time. When we would sit on it, there was a big metal rail that would dig into our legs. I waited around until there was a big sale at a sofa store and we became the proud owners of this sofa a couple of years ago.

Sofas are expensive, but we did get a good deal on this one. We have had it for over two years now and it's been a charm. In my opinion, it still looks new.

For over five years, I have wanted a head and foot board for our bed (the one I brought into our marriage). We have looked here and there - but they are VERY expensive. You see, my heart was set on a sleigh bed in cherry wood (that would match the rest of the existing furniture in the room.) Often a bed like that goes into the thousands of dollars. While they are beautiful, we are just not going to be spending that kind of money on ANY piece of furniture.

We have in the last year been talking about our upcoming need for a family dining table. You see, studies show that families that eat together (at a dining table) as a family have lower rates of obesity than those who eat - say, in front of a TV or not together. Phin will start to experiment with solids when he's six months old and so, it'll be time for us to sit together.

I saw a commercial for a furniture store that sells discontinued, factory over runs etc. I have seen the commercial for about two years now. They are only open on the weekends and I thought I wanted to check them out - but I didn't know how to get to the store. This weekend Dan and I decided to go see what all of the fuss is about. We were happy to see that there wasn't some *guy* chasing us around trying to do a hard sell as we looked at the showroom (which was nothing more than a huge "room" (warehouse).

As a bargain shopper and someone who is very sure of her sense of style, I was quite pleased with what I found! Dan and I got a bed AND a kitchen table (for four as that is all the more room we have for a table in our house) for less than what we paid for our sofa two years ago! Even more, our furniture was brand new in the box!

Now, sleeping in has a whole new level of extravagance for me. I wake up and feel like I am in a hotel. I come to bed and feel like a queen (except for the 55lb boxer stealing my place in the bed!)


As for the kitchen table, it looks great in our dining area. I still need to sew up the table cloth and seat covers (you can see the material on the side of the table), but Dan and I still had our first dinner together at the table tonight. I haven't got "the fancy" down yet, but the important part, (Phin) was there taking turns sitting on mama's and daddy's lap.



Turns out, the cat is super happy to have yet another place to hide and catch a nap. That settles it, the whole family is HAPPY!

Heart-Saver

People like to poke fun at me because I like "systems." Dan has said that the problem isn't that I am systematic - but more so that there are so many steps and details involved for everything - even feeding the dog or taking apart the cloth diapers for washing....

This is maybe another example of how I am funny. Today, I became a heartsaver! I learned CPR - not because I need it for my job or to do volunteer work. I became a heartsaver because if something were to happen where I came upon Phin and he (or another child) wasn't breathing - I want to know the directions to help the breathing/heartbeat get started again. I was supposed to learn the first aid portion too but we couldn't get the dummies - and so, I will have to go back another time to learn things like how to stop bleeding.

Just know this... if you are choking, use the Universal Choking Symbol and I will give you a "J thrust" like I'm an old Pro!!!

:)

Thursday

First thing first - Isn't Phin cute in his little bear outfit (70%OFF) YAY!



Moving on - Maggie is a BAD DOG.
Phin and I went to Wal-Mart for Listerine and heavy whipping cream (for my coffee).
We made another stop and left Maggie in the car with our purchases. Upon arrival back to the car, THIS is what we found. A punctured heavy whipped cream container and about 1/4 of the cream on Maggie's face and in her tummy! It was such a mess, I had to pour the rest of the cream out on the parking lot...
So now, I STILL don't have any cream for my coffee! $3.18 down the drain. I guess that was Maggie's Christmas present???

Phin likes the gym!

On Mondays I go to the gym in the mornings. However, this last Monday was snowy/slick and cold. So, I decided to go Monday night - when the slick roads were melted.
I thought that Monday nights there was childcare at the gym. However, they changed the hours on me and there was no one there for the first half of my class. So, Phin came on in to the weight lifting class with me and watched me work out.
He made flirty eyes at me as I lunged and squatted. He watched the bar go up and down in bar exercises and near the end of the first class, he lulled into sleep and got taken to the nursery for the second class.
Phin will have tons of reasons to enjoy going to the gym!

Just these little things...

that I want to hold on to for forever. While I keep my camera close, there are times that I just can not get to it to "capture" the moment visually, and so, I have to use my words.

This afternoon, I was super tired and I had laid down in my bed for a quick nap after putting Phin down after his feeding. I wasn't in the bed for ten minutes when he started crying. For a quick moment, I was greedy and felt annoyed that I had to get up. But once I got my boy into my arms and we sat down in the glider chair, he snuggled in to his new "fight to keep sleep away."
While he fought to stay awake, I watched him and smiled - knowing this battle starting just this month - will be going on for a number of years to come.
As I smiled, Phin's sleepy half closed eyes saw me and he smiled back which made me smile which made him smile back which made me smile which made him smile back and on and on until his heavy little eye lids finally gave way to rest.

I am sure it's something that every mother experiences, but just in case YOU haven't or you can't remember if once you did play a part in the smile fest... here's to you.