Thanks Transaprtation

Today I'm thankful for moderne transportation.

Thank you cars for taking me to doctor appoints, grocery stores and playgrounds. Thank you planes for taking me away on vacations and bringing family and loved ones home for visits!

Thanks MJ

Today I'm thankful for Michael Johnson--father of my children, keeper of my heart, a true friend and an amazing man.

I have often been told that I signed up for a lot in this life, and I must agree. But it should also be said that my rewards have been great and I truly count MJ as one of them. I never imagined I would find a man who would be able to handle my past let alone love and embrace it. But here we are. Thank you God for the gift of Michael. Thank you Michael for all your understanding, support, trust, friendship, honesty, reasoning, laughter, patience, teamwork, and love. I am forever grateful.

Thanks for My Own

Today I'm thankful for my own tube of toothpaste. Yes a tube of toothpaste. You see, my husband and I have two completely different ways of dispensing toothpaste and his way drove me NUTS! Then after six years of frustration and disbelief, it dawned on me to get my own tube. And with that, the simple act of brushing my teeth is no longer a frustrating one--Instead I smile when I pick up my rolled up tube. Sometimes it is the simple things in life!

Thanks Sunday

Today I am thankful for today. It was a simple day with the kids around the house and one short errand. We are all fighting off a cold, which means lots of tissues and snot floating around the house, but we were all in pretty good moods today and managed to squeeze in some giggles. Four of my favorite moments included Abby asking me to snuggle in my bed while we watched The Little Mermaid , a round if "no, you are MY sunshine....no, you are MY sunshine" with Abby, Ben laughing at me raspberrying his hand and Dad saying "cars!", and seeing Ben and Abby playing together:

Thanks Pinterest

Today I'm thankful for Pinterest!  Yes, it is a time sucker and can make you feel like a slacker but it can also inspire and motivate.  Today, dinner was Pinterest inspired...sloppy joe stuffed into a biscuit and baked (sorry no pic of this one....thought of it after it was all in my tummy!) and I also found this little parenting advice gem.  Hope you take a sec to check it out and find me on Pinterest too!

Thanks for Your Service

Today, I'm thankful for all the Veterans who have given so much for our country, for me.  It is hard to put into words just how much they have given, or how much we have benefited because of them.  I am blessed to live in a country where all this is possible for me and my children.  I can only imagine what it is like to serve your country--especially in a time of war--or to have children who have enlisted; but I do know that we can never say it often or loud enough, so please take this one day of thanks as a start.

To you and your family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks for Walking

Today, I'm thankful for warm fall days that allow us to venture out and stretch our legs and clear our lungs.  I'm also thankful for close by friends who understand the woes of a cold and don't mind braving it to squeeze in a walk.  It is so nice to chat and watch the kids explore and play, or not play, while we walk.  I appreciate all that the day gave me.

Thanks Nosefreida

Today I'm thankful for my Nosefreida and the relief it brings (and thankful for Kristi for introducing me to it)! Poor Abby has another cold and is oh so stuffy. I had to beg her to let me suck her nose out and in the end pinned her down to get it done. I felt mean as she fought but knew it would be worth it in the end. Today, she asked me three times to please suck her nose so she could breath! What would we do without it?!!!

Half Birthday

It is hard to believe, but Benjamin is six months old today! That really went by fast but at the same time it feels like he has been a part of our family forever. We are so luck to have him and Abby keeps telling me she wants to keep him forever, which is good.

I'm always amazed at how much of a personality a six month old has, but there is no denying that Ben is Michael's son! Ben is really such a good baby--he loves to smile and laugh even when he is tired, has learned to put himself to sleep (most of the time), and he loves to see his sister.

As far as baby stats...he is just getting into 6-9 month clothes so I think he is about average. Haven't weighed him in a few weeks so I'm not sure what he weighs. I'm guessing he is just over 16 lbs. his hair is filling in nicely though you can't really tell unless you look really close because he is so blond. As far as sleep, he is sleeping 12 hrs some nights and waking for one feeding (or two) other nights. Ben is rolling from tummy to back most days, getting really really close to rolling back to front, and working on sitting up on his own. I think he would be farther along if he had more floor time but with a sister who lives you so much, that is a dangerous place to be! Mommy's in no hurry...

Today was a big day for Ben...he had his first taste of solid foods! This time around I skipped the cereal and went straight for the veggies. I was going to start with sweet potatoes but after talking with other moms I heard that squash was easier to digest so we started there.

Thanks to Door to Door Organics I made Carnival and Kabocha squash to add to the carrots and sweet potatoes already in my freezer. If you haven't tried making your own baby food yet you should give it a try--it's pretty easy and so much cheaper!

It went from this:


To baked and scooped:



To puréed with water:



To table in about 20 minutes (plus the hour baking in the oven) plus I have about 30 more servings in the freezer:



Here are a few pics and some video of him trying his carnival squash:

In the end, I'm not sure if he really knew what to think of it and I can't say I blame him...squash is not my favorite either!

Happy Half-Birthday Benjamin!!!

Thanks for Mommy Moment-Magazines

I've been a subscriber of The Oprah Magazine and Real Simple for nine years now, Parents and Family Fun for three, Shape on and off, and gave up on Martha Stewart about five years ago because I have a minor hoarding issue. Needless to say, I'm rather behind in my reading which brings us to today's Mommy Moment: You know you are a mom when you feel like you accomplished something by reading an entire magazine in the month (and year--yes I'm that far behind) in which it actually is!

So, today I'm thankful for a few quiet evenings that allowed me to rest and read a bit.

Thanks Sleepyhead

Today I am thankful for long naps. Sadly, not for Mommy, just the children but I'll take what I can get  Today, Ben blessed me with a 2:53 nap and Abby slept 1:45.  I think about 35 of those minutes overlapped, which allowed me a quick shower on my own!  It is amazing how refreshing those quiet, napping hours are.  I'm not sure I could make it through a day with out them.  Now if only I could sneak in a nap for myself once in a while. That, or maybe I should go to bed at a decent hour.  Ah, well, maybe tomorrow!!!

Thanks for Choosing

Today is an easy one! I'm so thankful to live in a country that practices democracy! I hope you took advantage of your freedom to vote today and may the best man win (someday we'll be able to say "or woman".....)!

Thanks Purple

Today, a little girl in purple reminded me how beautiful the simple things in life are! I really can't explain why, but watching and hearing her enjoying her bike ride just stole my heart. Today I'm thankful for the color purple and the moment it will always remind me of from here on out!

Thanks Red Mower

After more than four hours of mulching and bagging leaves, I have to say that today I'm really thankful for our riding lawn mower! I can't believe that I used to do all of that with a little walk behind push mower. That was before kids for sure!

So, thank you red riding mower for making today's leaf collection less time consuming and labor intensive than it once was. My kids and husband thank you too!

Thanks for Staying Home

I am very blessed to have two beautiful, loving, funny, smart children who fill my life with joy and wonder.  I love that I get the opportunity to stay home with them on a daily basis to watch them learn and grow.

The Month of Thanks

Well, I keep trying to be a better blogger and I keep failing. But as the wise say, try, try again....so here I go.  And what better way to get me into the grove of frequent blogging than to commit to a month of thanks as Thanksgiving slowly creeps towards us?  Can't think of one myself!

So here is what I'm thinking:  These are in no particular order, nor is the list to be all-inclusive; This is simply a pause from the busy world to remind myself just how wonderful life is; Some may be deep and moving while others may be simple or light-hearted; This is an attempt to be a better archiver of our family happenings; You are welcome to follow along to help hold me accountable to my my goal or perhaps join me in your own gratitude journey; In true Keliann fashion I am a bit late and have some catching up to do, but will plug away at that in the next few days.

I am thankful for...Video Baby Monitors

Three and a half years ago I swore I was not going to "one of those moms" who has a video monitor and watches her kids sleep.  In my mind there was no reason why one should spend $200+ on  such a thing, the end.  Then, along came Abby and my Mommy genes kicked in.  I can't tell you how many nights I snuck into her room to make sure she was still breathing or that she wasn't stuck between the crib slats not to mention all the nights of screaming and jumping in the crib/bed because she did not want to sleep when I felt I had to go check on her because I did not know what she was doing.  After two years of that I was kicking myself for not getting one and once Ben came along I swore I was not going through that again so off to the store I went.  I think purchasing my video monitor was one of the best purchases I have made this time around. I got a camera for Abby's room and one for Ben's room and might add one more in the playroom soon too.  It has made sleep training Ben so much easier because when I feel like I have to cave and go check on him I just peek at the monitor or when Abby is still awake 40 minutes after putting her to sleep I can just push the microphone button and reminder her she is supposed to be sleeping instead of having to go in and get sucked into the "I'm not tired/Mommy don't leave" fight, among other reasons.  It has taken way so much of the Mommy wonder/panic that I can't imagine how I did it with out it before and NO I have not become so obsessed with my sleeping children that sit and watch them the entire time (much to my own surprise).  So, Thank you video baby monitor makers for making a product that makes me so much more comfortable!

Sleepy Ben

Abby asleep at last!
 (no it is not 75 degrees in her room...I can't get a good reading since hanging it on the wall)