One Half of One Year

'Tis true. The little monkey, somehow, is six months. And he's a rolling machine. As I type he's rolling over and over along the length of the rug. But I digress. 6 months. I have a one half of one year old. Weird.

The wee one never ceases to make me laugh and smile. I'm loving this age. I think I say that about every stage (except not the newborn stage bc that was hard), but I do think things just get better and better. I just finished reading a book that said, "Play the music life gives you. . . . if you're constantly looking over on the other person's music stand, coveting the music that you'll probably get to play someday, you can completely miss your own part today--and you'll never get that part back." I'm a definite coveter. I enjoy the coveting. But I am trying to make a more conscious effort to just enjoy where I am, especially when it comes to Devin. Because he's such a sweet boy, and I know, though I might get to gnaw on the cheeks of other babies, right now is the only time I'll get to gnaw on this baby.

So, there's my nostalgia. And yes, I've become an annoying person who says things like "I CANNOT believe he's six months!" or "They grow up so fast!" or "My baby is the BEST baby!" or "OMGOSH the hat makes him look beyond adorable!" but I'm okay with that for right now. Because all of the preceding statements are true.

Vegetable Fact

True Story: I've never (to my knowledge) eaten green beans from a can. Until today. I'm sure I've eaten them mixed into a casserole. But I've never opened a can of green beans, warmed them through, and then partaken. And let me tell you. They were not great. I shall stick with frozen from now on. In my naive mind I thought "Hey, if I buy canned, I can puree the leftovers and freeze them for Devin to eat later."

This Tuesday vegetable lesson is really a lesson in not putting off for tomorrow what you can do today. Because last summer/fall when my dear sister offered me A LOT of green beans from her massive garden to bottle on my own (really, she offered to bottle them for me because I do not own a pressure cooker, which just makes the sting of this that more intense. Lesson number two, if someone offers to bottle for you, ALWAYS let them) I turned her down. Again, I was naive. I thought to myself, "The husband does not love the bottled green beans. So I shall just freeze some of those fresh green beans, which will get us through the winter, and when bottling time comes around again, I shall bottle some then, for the wee one will be ready to eat them." 

But then, your dearest sister will get pregnant. And she will decide, rightfully, to not plant a massive garden that produces massive amounts of green beans. Which then leaves you with the decision: Do I buy canned or frozen green beans? The answer to which, apparently, will always be frozen. And then you cry a little inside because you could have had FREE, better tasting, home bottled green beans, but instead, you now have to use your food budget money to buy a vegetable you've never before had to purchase.

Lesson learned.

Swimming!

Just when you thought the babe couldn't get any cuter, he goes and wears a swimsuit.

He actually did really well with the swimming. He's just such a serious kid that he didn't show much emotion one way or another, but he wasn't screaming, so I'll take that to mean that he liked the swimming! He was kicking his legs a bit, so I think he'll have even more fun the older he gets.

We pretty much started pool time right when he normally goes down for a nap. Here he is furrowing his brow at me, wondering why in the world he is in the bright sun instead of sleeping peacefully.

Date Night at the Lake

We're not very good at planning our date nights. We should be. But we're not. On Friday I decided it was time for something a little more out of the ordinary (because, though I enjoy the Totino's and tiny laptop screen, we all have to change things up a bit). The budget for date night was $4. So we ate some hamburgers cooked by the George Foreman, then packed the wee one up and headed to the lake.

The weather was perfect for sitting by the lake and playing some competitive Uno whilst the wee one gnawed on various toys. He was, of course, rocking the hat once again.

His favorite place to wear the hat is the lake.

After I beat Rich many, many times at Uno, and after we had the oddest discussion with a random man, we packed up and headed to the grocery store, there to spend our $4 on some ice cream. (Good thing some was on sale or that plan would have been shot.)

After getting the babe into bed, we snuggled on the couch to watch a movie (Julie and Julia, much, much, much better than the book) and partake of the ice cream.

Friday night date at the lake=Success!

Pinewood Derby 2010

Because our ward only has two Cub Scouts, the Pinewood Derby was turned into an entire ward activity. I got a free car because I'm in the Young Women. However, it should come as no surprise that Rich made my pinewood derby car, which ultimately turned into Rich's pinewood derby car. 

He did a great job on a short timetable. We may have procrastinated making the car until the day before, but the final product still turned out great. Rich wanted to try out a Mythbuster's idea to improve aerodynamics, but the lack of time put off that experiment for next year--if we're invited, or just until Devin is old enough to have his own car.

Here are some shots of the night.

Jake is sad about his car because it was whittled mere minutes before the actual derby. 

(Scary red eye is not gone bc the lighting was so bad in these pics--sorry!)

 But once it started to win, he felt better about the whole thing.

Of course the most exciting part is seeing who wins! 

Rich is so very proud of our car. I was talking to Kathy on the first run. There may have been clapping in my direction to get my attention. Derbys get INTENSE.

This is our beauty getting ready to do it's job and get down the track at lightning speed. 

We made it to the quarterfinals, but were bested by the eventual winner. 

Most of the non-derby entertainment was provided by Easton as he sang several tunes to Devin.

The whole night was pretty entertaining, and you know it has been an excellent derby when the closing prayer goes something like this, "Thank you that we could have a pinewood derby. And I would just like to say, first, second, and third--good game. Please bless the donuts." 

Um, Hi

Since we think all that Devin does is adorable. Here are some pics that made my heart happy.

The kid sure can wear a hat, no? 

Let's have a close up. 

 Who wouldn't love those floppy ears?

He also would like you to know that he is pretty chill and can totally rock the sideways hat.

That's all I needed to make my Monday brighten up.

Grandparents!

We had our first house guests last week in Grandma and Grandpa Downing. We are so glad they were able to stop on their way back to Oregon. 

Devin loved getting attention from people other than his parents. He's quite the popular kid around the grandparents.

Grandpa Downing was wonderful and used his vacation time to work on our house. He replaced the dead bolts and fixed the door handles and closing mechanisms, and he also fixed some of our wiring and electrical outlets. So much for a relaxing time! 

Grandma Downing got to spend some fun time with Devin, and he totally ate much better for her. And she didn't get food all over his face. Clearly the mark of a great grandma!

Rich and I were happy that we had time to visit and chat with them and catch up. It was definitely a great few days. We just wish they could have stayed longer!

Father's Day Fun

Happy Father's Day to Rich!

Today we were able to celebrate the wonder that is Rich. He is such a great dad and the sweetest husband. Devin really loves his daddy, and it's no wonder since Rich is so great at all his fatherly duties. We are very blessed to have him in our lives.

Rich's first Father's Day included some new house shoes to keep his feets all warm on our tile floors and a breakfast of french toast. 

Rich's dinner request was ribs and mashed potatoes, so that's what he got!

Love him so much!

We are grateful for the fatherly examples we have in our lives. I need to do some remembering about my dad. Remember how wise he is. Remember how his advice is valued beyond measure (and he's usually right). Remember how kind and caring he is. Remember how he always has good things to say about people. Remember how involved he is as a grandpa. Remember how he and Devin would hang out in the mornings when Devin was just brand new. Remember how patient he is. Remember how he is even-keeled, and though I may rage and vent, he listens and then sets the example. Remember how he loves. Remember how he is always willing to give of himself to help us out. Remember how we can feel his concern for our well-being. 

So today, I remember how I love my dad very much!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!

Just Because

Because it's Friday. Because I'm certain the grandparents need a little Devin to jump start their weekend. Because I still have a hard time believing this wonderful kid is mine. Because I've been feeling sorry for myself even though I have so many blessings. Because he's just too darn cute.

He was actually smiling when the camera was out!

I've had the urge to watch Newsies ever since the wee one tried on this hat. 

(But really ever since I saw this.)

He says, "I am just doing my stretches."

He says, "This is my tourist outfit. Got my socks up to my knees, so I'm ready to go!"

I'll admit I force this giraffe on him. Because I love it. And now Devin loves it too. 

He's just resting from all his touristy fun.

He says, "I would only like sweet potatoes from now on, don't even bother with the cereal."

The House. Picture Form.

Um, hi. Remember how we moved like 3 weeks ago? I wrote a blog post and planned for pictures. But then I was a slacker and didn't put boxes away very fast. So, the pictures weren't taken, because who wants to see a house full of boxes? So, the blog post had to be edited, and then I was a slacker some more. But, finally, here is a glimpse into the casa de Brittons. (Let's preface these pictures with a statement about how I am not "Miss Everything Has to be Perfectly Organized.")

Master bedroom before:

And after:

Yes, we painted over those circus stripes. It was such a dark color. Once they were gone the room was so much bigger. Our king bed looks tiny in there! Filing cabinets are moonlighting as bedside tables. And what's that bit of purple? Why that's our purple sheet duct taped to our sliding glass door. We are classy people. Classy.

This was the kitchen before:

Here it is now with my wonderfully red wall:

The kitchen was pretty much what sold me on the house. I love that it's open to the great room. And the cabinets are great and not too small for my dishes. And the stove. It's sitting there all big and 40 inches wide. Love it. Never thought I'd have this kitchen in my first house, so I'm very excited! Rich thought for sure I would run out of room since the majority of my worldly possessions are kitchen things (and books), but I still have an almost empty shelf and a partially empty drawer.

This is the great room area before:

And after:

I was nervous when we started putting this tan color on the walls, but I think it turned out great. Those big windows on the doors bring in so much natural light. I don't have to turn on the lights until almost 8 o'clock at night!

Devin's room before:

And after:

The eagle head had to go. For reals. Devin's room isn't complete yet. I have some accenting colors in mind. (Also some clearly needed rearranging of furniture.) And once I stop failing at life and sew his quilt, then things will be tied together more. But we stopped failing at life enough to actually buy him a crib, so now we don't need to live in fear that he'll roll right out of the bassinet. It's the little things that make us parents of the year.

We also got this bookshelf up on the wall and stocked full of books. Amazing shelf from an amazing friend! Devin loves it.

This is the "pink" bedroom before. (We still call it that.)

Though the walls are no longer pink, the glow that once came from the pink walls (and purple ceiling) is still etched into our brains.

So our office/weight room/sewing room will forever be known as the "pink" room.

I haven't decorated much because I own no shelves on which to put the few crafty things I own. So the house is still very much in progress. But it is coming together slowly, and it's fun to put things away and know that it can stay there permanently because this is our final destination for a long while! Let's also dedicate the decorating of my house to Lindsey and Selina, without them, I would have no decorations and my house would be sadder than sad.

Since we were having our first house guests, and since Rich is much better at me than organizing, we finally have things pretty well under control and some things on the wall. Here is the guest bedroom.

That's an amazingly full-sized bed people. Plus, you don't even have to worry about not being able to reach the bed, as I graciously put the box springs directly onto the floor because one of the clamps for the bed frame broke. So, come one, come all. I shall even let you put your personal effects on the DVD tower bedside tables.


Those are the highlights for now.