I talk WAY too much, and it's about to get worse

If you notice a few more blogs than usual from me it's because I signed up for the National Blog Posting month, where they draw blogs at random (from people who have signed up, of course) and if that person has written every day for the month of November, they can win fame, fortune, and prizes! (or maybe it was just prizes....) The devil (or my sister Elsha) made me do it. Also, I'm a total sucker for free-to-enter prize-winning thingies - like I can't throw away a fast food receipt if they say "take a short survey, you could win $1,000!" I always take the survey, but have yet to win the big bucks. Trust me, you would hear about it if I did! But I digress. I'm just hoping for the sock zombies if they draw my blog.

Also, readers (you????) may be a little annoyed at how completely centered my blog is on Patrick. There's a good explanation for that, and it does not involve him being the fruit of my loins and/or my reason for living; I actually created this blog so my parents and Joe's parents could watch him grow and change from the comfort of their own homes (or offices). We get to see each other pretty often (every few months), but babies change so fast and even when we DO visit they can miss out on a lot (especially if it's an off time, like when he's teething or just plain grumpy). So here's lookin' at you, 'rents! Now, however, there is no possible way I can blog about Patrick EVERY DAY for a month, so look forward to a change of pace here, we'll see what I come up with.

"Trashy" Neighbors

I doubt my neighbors read this blog, so I don't think they'll mind if I call them trashy... but they ARE! Because here is what they threw away in (and I totally salvaged from) the trash.

Just gave the pieces a hot bubble bath, and ta-da! All new fun for our living room. The pieces are seriously in pristine condition, it's just missing a few letters of the alphabet. Definitely the most extreme case of "one man's trash is another man's treasure" I've seen! Thanks, trashy neighbors!

Happy Early Halloween!

Halloween came early to Fort Collins this year! On Tuesday we partied it up with some friends (not THAT kind of party - you know, the kind where you play guessing games and eat cupcakes and stuff) so I came up with some costumes off the cuff. Meet Cleopatra and Marc Antony! Yeah, my entire costume consisted of extra eyeliner, but Patrick's was pretty darn good.

You know you're a parent when...

You are more familiar with the hallways of church than the actual classrooms.

We got to see David Bednar of the Quorom of the Twelve Apostles yesterday! He came to our stake to speak and it was definitely a wonderful experience. Undoubtedly this is due in part to his strong spirit as an apostle, and in part because we actually pay attention due to his being an apostle. It's amazing what more you get out of talks when you listen! But listening was in spurts since we ended up familiarizing ourselves with all the hallways the stake center has to offer, hoping Patrick would quiet down and wear himself out enough to sleep through the rest of the conference. We managed a whole 5-minute nap at the end :)

His heart is made of mush

Funny how your new life with a baby totally depends upon sleep, isn't it? Like not appreciating good health until you've got the flu, I guess I didn't appreciate sleeping through the night until we had a baby. Ot at least until I was hugely pregnant and had to get up 3 times a night to use the bathroom, but I figured on the flip side of things, 9 months down the road SURELY we would all be sleeping soundly through the night. Not so, people, not so.

What bedtime looks like

Up until this week I was still getting up 3 times a night with Patrick, which is ridiculous, and I knew it. Joe knew it, too, but he wasn't the one getting up so he didn't much care. So I checked out "What to Expect: The First Year" because I needed some solid ground on which to lay my sleep-through-the-night foundation, and sure enough, they have TONS of ideas on how to make this happen. Of course, all except for co-sleeping require at least a little crying, some will probably bring on LOTS of crying, but any should work, you just have to stick to your guns. So I read them - out loud - to Joe so he could hear this "stick to your guns" requirement, knowing in advance that he wouldn't BECAUSE HIS HEART IS MADE OF MUSH. This isn't a character flaw, I LOVE that his heart is mush for his son - most of the time. But when your goal is to teach your baby to fall asleep on their own, and that crying will not bring one (or both) loving parents in a rush, it most certainly is not helpful. We've done it 2 nights now, and both night Patrick slept through the night - it's a mother's miracle! But getting there was the tough part, and Joe cracked under the pressure. The first night he gave in and rocked the little sucka to sleep after numerous go-in-to-reassure-him breaks (where he picked him up every single time - mush!). The second night, after I had guilted him every single time the first night about picking up Patrick, he agreed to just give reassuring pats but as soon as he came out of that room he was counting the second til he could go back in. 4 minutes into a 10-minute stretch he was begging to go back in. Fortunately, Patrick fell asleep during that 10-minute stretch, Joe didn't have to go in, and I didn't have to remind him (again) to stick to his guns.

So it looks like I've become the bad guy, but at least I can finally get some sleep :)

Don't go chasing waterfalls, because they are REALLY tough to grab

Patrick's favorite place in the apartment is the tub, whether he's in the shower with one of us (kinda tough to lather up your shampoo, but he likes it), taking a bath by himself, or simply standing by the tub while we get ready in the morning - this kid is obsessed.

Also obsessed with his tongue.

Our new baby

Well, not a baby in the traditional sense... Joe and I started our own design company, our baby, aptly named J&K Design. Really, since Joe is working for Whiting-Turner and it's a design company, it's my business (my baby!), but he is the construction coordinator/handyman and likes to be involved, so it's our business. Plus then I don't feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders! So, while we are still working to set up and advertise the business, we HAVE created our own website - JKDesignCO.com! So please check it out. And then hire us :)

If you're a little too busy to visit the website this moment (so why are we reading blogs, hmmmm?), I'll fill you in real quick-like: as the lead designer at J&K Design I am available for design consultations for your home or business, ranging from simple color and design consultation (stressed over how to paint your dining room? how to arrange that new living room set with a TV and fireplace?) to full-on additions and renovations (priced by the square foot). Everyone deserves a comfortable, functional, and beautiful space to live and work, so it is worth a little time and money invested in the right place to make that happen. The average person spends 97% of their life indoors; don't you want to make that 97% wonderful? If so, call J&K Design! 970-229-5881 or visit our website (like I mentioned).