PL365: Jan 4

Catching up on posting Project Life photos

Jan 4 PL365

Project 365; Feb 24 - Apr 7; Photo heavy

I'm behind sharing my photos from Project 365. You know what happens when you don't do things like post the photos on your blog to keep you on top of it...? You forget. Gah! Luckily, it was only a couple days I missed. I managed to still scrounge up a photo or two at least each day - all but three that is. I've replaced the photos I missed with "intermission" photos. Haha.

Edit: somehow the links became broken -- here is a link to the P365 album:
https://picasaweb.google.com/mlhweber/Project365?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKOOjM_529zRcQ&feat=directlink

Project 365 catch up

My sister came to visit, along with my brother in law and adorable little nephew. Needless to say, I completely neglected everything and was totally absorbed in playing with my nephew every chance I had. Now they are heading back home, and I have to resume normal life. That being said, I'll catch up on my blog! Nothing too exciting has happened. I am so proud to say I am still going strong on Project 365 / Project Life. Whoohoo! Here's the latest since my last post...

Feb 6

I got my iPhone 4S! Yippee!

Feb 7

Poor Elijah was sick with a fever.

Feb 8

Two precious boys. My husband and my nephew, Stevie.

Feb 9

My coworker took a picture of all of us for a going away card for our other coworker. I liked the picture, so I had her send it to me and used it has my P365. :)

 

Feb 12
Oly's going away party

Feb 13
"I'm baaaaaaaaaaad!" (Not bad, but like a bad-ass) ;) That's what he tells me with his cowboy hat and sunglasses.

Feb 14

Valentine's Day treat from my knight!

Feb 15

It finally snowed!!!

Feb 16
We still had some lingering the next morning. Gorgeous!

Project 365 - February 5

I posted recently with a photo of the boys' artwork when I came home from work. I thought, maybe I should use this as another photo because it may be redundant? Then, I realized, the beauty of Project 365 / Project Life is capturing what we may miss later. I'm amazed to see how much Elijah can grow artistically in just a month. He's such a creative little guy already. He must take after his Daddy and Mama. I love it!

Here's Elijah and Daddy's collaborative efforts. :)

Project 365 / Project Life - Feb 5

Catching up

I'm finally starting to feel better. I can't believe how much that sinus infection knocked me off my feet. Thank God for antibiotics! I'm still feeling a little tired, and can't hear diddly-squat out of my left year, but at least I'm not feeling miserable anymore.

Despite all this, I'm proud to say I've still managed to keep up my Project 365! I haven't posted in a few days because I was just focused on feeling better.. but I'm determined to keep going with Project 365! That said, here's my catching up for the last few days.

Project 365 / Project Life - Feb 1

I took the boys to one of their favorite places: the children's consignment shop. Okay, okay, it is one of my favorite places as well. I love selling back my items we aren't using anymore then putting it to store credit. It gets my house cleared of unnecessary items, helps someone out who will need those items, and the kids are always happy because I let them pick out something, and Mama is happy because it is way cheaper than at other places! WIN all the way around! Here's what they picked out for the trip on this day; they each picked some sort of hot wheels/matchbox ramp set that folds into a carrying case. They love it, and it is adorable to see them play together.

Project 365 / Project Life - Feb 2

I was a tad overdue to clean out our hamster's cage. I used to put her in the box she came home in while I cleaned it out. She's wising up to me and started gnawing a hole in the corner. I got her this ball instead. It is way more fun than I thought it would be. She knew what to do almost right away and roams all over the house. The boys love it, and the rest of our pets do too. I'm sure Ophelia (our hamster) loves it the most! Now she really feels like part of our family!

Project 365 / Project Life - Feb 3

I've been searching for throw pillows for the sofa for a long time. I've never found anything that I've really liked or thought worth buying. This day, I found some on clearance at Target; a two pack for $14. I like the colors and the price was right! Whoohoo!

Project 365 / Project Life - Feb 4

Proud daughter moment. My dad was at a school function today where he got to wear his uniform. I'm always proud to be the daughter of a Retired Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps. I got some cute pictures of the boys with him (even though Elijah was being terribly obstinate about the whole photo shoot. However, I decided I'm proud of this picture and maybe I should take an opportunity to have me in the photo for Project 365 / Project Life as well. :)

I have some more adorable pictures to share. Except, I'm tired, so I will show them off tomorrow! (Yes, I give you permission to start singing Annie's version of Tomorrow now.)

Project 365 - January 30 & 31

The reason for such short posts the past week?

A cold gone bad. :/ It turned into a sinus infection and an ear infection. Aren't I too old for this?! Sheesh.

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 30

Tonight the car wouldn't turn on after Patrick took the boys to the Burger King playground. Luckily, I was just getting off work, so I was able to come rescue them with the Yukon and a jump start! Nevertheless, the boys still had fun, and that is all that matters.

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 31

Planning

Mom's work schedule.

Dad's work schedule.

Doctor appointments.

Dance class.

etc.

etc.

etc.

It gets confusing. For me, I put it all in my phone... but sometimes I just need one place to flip through some pages and see what is coming up in the next few weeks or months. Sometimes my dear husband needs a place to look to see what days I am working or not working (especially since my hours can change from day to day).

Today I broke down and bought a family planner. The wall calendar just doesn't cut it. I've finally mad that bold move to become a parent who *gasp* keeps a planner. It's the smart thing to do, don't get me wrong. I just feel so... mom. Like, look at that big girl being all organized. Personally, I am usually pretty good at remembering dates and times in my head, but I came the realization that not everyone is like that! Plus, I'm always paranoid I'm going to forget something or mix up a schedule.

I'm proud of myself. And you have to admit, it is cute, isn't it?! I already feel relieved having written down our schedule over the next two weeks in it! It gives me such a better idea of what is coming up.

YAY ME for planning!

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 29

Project 365 - January 28

It is the sweetest thing to come home and see Elijah was practicing his writing. It makes a Mama proud!

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 28

Thank you Puffs w/ Lotion

Whoever created the concept of tissues with soothing lotion... I thank you. You are a wonderful blessing to my completely raw nose. Why didn't I pick these up when my cold first came on?! I usually stick with the tissues with lotion, and when I don't, I'm painfully reminded why I should!

You rock, Puffs Plus.

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 27

Project 365 - January 26

For Myles, celebrating his 2 year angelversary in Heaven.

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 26

rap a tap tap

I'm so proud of my little man! This was his second time going to dance class and he loves it. Today he got to wear his dance shoes for the first time. I managed to snap this picture in between the ballet portion and the tap portion. He was so thrilled to test out his tap shoes. Instantly, he started dancing, tapping, and jumping around. So precious.

It makes me proud to feel like I've passed something along to my boy. I thought I'd never have the chance to be involved in the dance world again when I had two boys, and here my little Elijah is loving dance as much as I do. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him!

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 25

Project 365 - January 24

I did take my Project 365 picture yesterday, however, I didn't post anything because I've come down with a wonderful cold that the boys had. Blech.

It isn't the greatest quality, but it wasn't an easy shot to get either! This evening (well, yesterday evening) at work one of my coworkers was getting ready to leave and tells us "Hey look at the sunset! The sky is red. It's so pretty!" I look out the window and see that indeed, it is a beautiful sunset. I go back to my station then think, "That'd be an awesome photo." I run to the back room where my purse is, grab my camera, and try to figure out a way to get the photo. The sun is fading fast, so I have to act quickly. If I go out the front of the store, I have to walk all the way around building. However, if I go out the back, I think I may be able to sneak a picture before it is gone. I drag my other coworker to hold the backdoor open for me (it's one of those doors that will lock behind me) so I can snag a picture. He patiently waits while I'm trying to snap a picture, my arm sticking out through a fence to catch this sunset. The first one I got had all the cars go by, then he sees the light is changing and tells me get ready so I can get one without the cars. When I was looking at the photos on the camera, I thought I preferred the one without the cars. After I came home and looked at them on the computer, I found an appeal to the photo with the cars driving. There is some movement to the photo with everyone driving home at the end of the day.

Sidenote: Hooray for Photoshop!

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 24

The photo without the cars (cropped in Photoshop)

Rain rain... come back!

Don't you love when weather people hype things up?

Californians: Expect a HUGE storm coming your way! Massive!

We got wind and about 10 minutes of rain.

Really? That's it?! Come on! Last year we got days of rain. I think this was our first rainfall all winter, and all we get is a measly 10 minutes? Man, I want some real rain! We can forget the nasty wind we get and just get a nice rainfall. Ah well. It was nice while it lasted for all of 10 minutes.

When I was at work, the combination of leftover raindrops on the window and the sun shining through the clouds into the window made a fun design. I snapped a picture for my Project 365 challenge.. just something a little different!

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 23

Sick kiddo

Darn germs and their wild fire ways. You know when you have one sick child, the other is bound to get sick. AJ was sick a couple days ago, and sure enough, today Elijah started coming down with it. It is mostly a cough/cold/chest thing. Not so much a big deal for AJ, but Elijah's lungs are more sensitive to such things. He has had asthma since he was 3 months old, and whooping cough when he was 2 months old. Coughs, nebulizers, and inhalers aren't anything new for me.

Luckily, over the last year or so Elijah's asthma has really been under control. So much that he hasn't even needed his nebulizer. If he did have a little bout of something, he was able to use his inhaler and be done with it. The last time he had an actual albuterol prescription filled for his nebulizer was the end of 09! That one expired end of '10. First thing this morning, once I realized how pitiful he looked and noticed his wheezing, was to call the on-call doctor/pediatrician. Well, first I called Target Pharmacy who said they can't fill it if the drug expired. Fine, I'll call the on call doc. She says have them send over the request to the on call operator. I call them, relay the message. A few hours later, I call back Target Pharmacy for them to say they haven't heard anything. Oy vey. I call the on call operator, again, and talk to the physician assistant, again. After some runaround, I'm told to call target pharmacy (again) and tell them to call the physician assistant so she can fill it. I call them, they say no they won't do that because his prescription is too old. Say what? At this point, I'm fed up with both groups of people, turning into an emotional mess and getting all teary eyed. What I thought would be an easy phone call to fill a medication he obviously needs turned into a frustrating ordeal. I give up, call up the husband and tell him just to give Elijah the inhaler and we'll get the rest straightened out later this week. I'm also ranting and raving about how I'm sick of everyone giving me the run around and yada yada yada.

Around 6, the physician assistant calls me again wondering what happened and why she hadn't heard from Target Pharmacy. I tell her what happened and how I got frustrated playing this middle man between the two parties who couldn't agree on anything. She explains herself, then promptly expresses her extreme frustration with Target Pharmacy pulling this nonsense on a child who has asthma, and calls in a prescription for him at our 24 hour pharmacy Walgreens. Thank you! Sheesh. What frustration. I'm just glad he got what he needed for tonight.

I'm also proud of how well Elijah handled the whole thing. He wore his mask without complaints and handled it like such a big boy! I know he is probably used to it, but it has been a while since we used the noisy nebulizer and I thought he might get upset by the noise. Nope, he was fine! I asked him if he could give a thumbs up if he was doing okay, and he did. Sweet. ;)

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 22

Crafty Inspiration - Project 365

I was trying to take a nice still picture of our nightly view of city lights. It was unsuccessful.

Note to self: practice better techniques for night time photography.

This left me having to think about what else I could use for Project 365. It was a relatively dull, quiet day today... so I had to think of something (somewhat) different.

I chose a picture of one of my favorite places... my craft table. And look! It's actually decently organized. For once. The shelf on the left side of the picture is another story... it'll be fun to see later this year how the organization progresses -- as all crafters know -- a constant battle!

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 21

Happy Birthday, Pappy

Happy 61st Birthday, Pappy! Good thing your grandsons were there to help you blow out the candles... your old geezer lungs may not have been able to handle it without their assistance. ;)

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 20

AJ was off doing his own thing when we were singing. So for round one, it was just Elijah and Pappy blowing out his candle.

Then AJ realized he missed out, so we had to sing one more time.

Trip to the park

It was a gorgeous day today. Not too hot, not too cold, sunny... just right! After Elijah got his dance shoes last night, AJ began begging me for a pair too. Totally sweet, right? I went to Payless to see if I could find an inexpensive pair. However, (a) they were all girl shoes and (b) they were nearly just as much as buying them at the dance supply store. I suppose I'll just order him a pair online.

After our unsuccessful trip to Payless, the boys began asking me if we could go to the park. How could I say no?! It was a beautiful day and I had it off! They had so much fun. I also remembered how a little over two years ago I took Elijah there on a gorgeous day like today, and I realized how much he has grown in just a matter of two years. Of course, AJ too! Two years ago AJ was snoozing in the stroller, now he's all over. What precious little boys I have.

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 19

He can get about half way across the monkey bars by himself!

I love this photo. I'm not sure what it is about it, but he looks so peaceful and precious.

Dance class!!

Recently Elijah has been talking about going to dance class and has really been getting into dancing. Today he went for the first time to a dance class - a Pre-Ballet/Tap class. I am so proud of him! For real, I was completely giddy over the whole thing.

I think because I danced for so long growing up (until I was 18), it gives me the warm fuzzies knowing this is something that, in a way, I'm passing on to him. I thought when I had boys I was done for in the dance department. Then again, I never fully put it out either. Patrick has always been supportive of the boys being active in anything they enjoy - dance included! I didn't want to get my hopes up on one of the boys turning an interest to dance, because I've never wanted to force them into it, but here Elijah is... wanting to do it! Yesterday he asked me if there were any boys. I honestly told him probably not in his class, but in other classes there are. Today, I reminded him again he'll probably be the only boy -- but I'm sure the girls are still nice and can be friends! A class of girls didn't even faze him.

I will say, he loved dance class. After , he was already asking me to get him some tap shoes. All evening he was talking about going to dance class again. He was disappointed when I said he had to wait until next week. He responds, "But I want to go tomorrow! With my tap shoes!" His kind dance teacher gave him an extra pair of black ballet slippers that actually fit him! He was focusing so well and really had great coordination.

Aside from dance being something I've always been passionate about, it makes it even more precious to see your children's personalities develop. I love seeing what starts to interest them and what their strengths are.

I couldn't get many great photos of him during class. The window had quite the glare on it coupled with a sheer curtain with stars... this made it very difficult to take pictures, but I managed to snag a few if you can just look past the curtain and glare, or when I snapped a couple photos between their shoe change.

Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 18

He has such a silly smile sometimes! He really was proud of himself here.

Shoes!