First day back to school

Here I go...back to school for the new semester. It always seems like winter break is far too short and I never get all the things I wanted to do done. Well, as they say, "time waits for no man [or woman]." One class to lecture today and several other school chores to get done.

When I kissed Tam good-bye this morning it was a little sadder than usual, knowing that I was once again going to be "stuck" at school for a set amount of hours. I'll miss his little toddler sounds and laughter all day. I'll miss him carrying a spoon around the house, which is what he did yestarday. I'll miss him tackling going up and down the stairs. Ah, but in a few hours I'll be home for dinner and hear all about his and Brian's adventures. Sigh.

Tam finally likes bread :-)

After months of the mostly milk, fruit, and veggies (finely chopped up), Tam has finally decided he likes bread as well. Previously, he would eat a few pieces of a sandwich or toast, and then spit some of it back out. This was a clear indicator that he didn't like it. I kept thinking that my kid was never going to like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the American classic. And Brian kept hoping for him to like toasted cheese or toasted peanut butter sandwiches.

Today, he nearly gobbled...or inhaled...half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (and none came back out of the mouth). Yeah! Another food group that we can add to his diet.

We really can't complain too much since he really is a good eater and likes many foods. Now, his only true dislike is meat unless it is really finely shreaded or hidden in other baby mush food.

And it's 2010...

Oh my goodness, it has already been an entire year with our wee little one Tam! I look at him now toddling around and just can't believe how much he has changed in the past 13months. People warned me how fast they grow up, but JEEZ it really is quick! He went from being this tiny bundle the size of a football to their nearly 3ft tall bundle of energy...and he still is growing before our eyes.

So, New Year's resolutions are in order.

1. Get school stuff done at school and not at home. Home time is for family.

2. Get on here to blog about our family at least 2x a week, even if only a few lines and even if only a few relatives are still reading this drivel. The bonus for doing this is that I slurp the entries to blurb and I have several chronological books in the workings for us. Being pregnant in 2008 is nearly done and I've just started on 2009.

3. Think of 3 things I'm grateful for each day. I read about this is in a "woman's magazine" like Real Simple or something. Sounds like good advice that both Brian and I are going try this year and share with each other at bedtime. Helps to keep us looking toward the positive side of things.

4. Get my body moving! Chasing after a toddler is not enough aerobic exercise according to my doctor. I have a stationary bike, I have Hulu, I should be merging the two in the mornings if I can get my sorry butt out of the nice warm bed and into the chilly basement. I told Brian he really needs to help me to do this. Every little bit counts, and I've at least started parking my car a block away from work to encourage walking. We'll see if I can keep this resolution up for the betterment of my health.

Hmmm...I think that's a good doable list. Never mind that I'm starting most of these 9 days into 2010. (I'm totally blaming this on the loss of my Apple for the past 3weeks do to a bum video chip).

What are Tam's resolutions, you ask?

1. Grow more teeth. He's currently at 6 with one more I just noticed today.

2. Learn to run. He's just mastered walking (mostly) while holding objects in hands.

3. Speak more coherent words in English and not alien babble. We've got mama, dada, moo, so far.

4. Get into mischief..oh wait, he already does this! I can only see him getting better and better at this goal.

I'll have to get Brian's as well soon.

The Holidays are coming . . .

With this statement, you may attempt to do any of the following:
1) Run and hide under the bed
2) Run out and immediately start shopping
3) Run and start a baking flurry
4) Find lots of great holiday projects and get really inspired to be crafty and start a ton of said awesome projects and then find that you have no time to finish anything and get left with a big mess tied up with a bow.

I am firmly in category 4 currently. By having the Internet and exploring other people's blogs, I have found a slew of projects I would like to attempt. Luckily, most of these are cheap and chic and may even be fun to do.

I have many of these ball ornaments and have been making them into a wreath since last year.
Eddie Ross blog gives the really easy instructions for this. Now to find an old wire hanger...

On the Shanty2Chic blog, they have a fabulous tutorial for making an easy centerpiece stand for decorations. This seems a little more labor intensive, but spray paint would be involved. I have been scrounging yard sales for something similar for the past couple of years and been disappointed. Hmmm...

Lastly, Shanty2Chic did a guest entry on UCreate blog about an advent calendar. Again, this is something I have been craving for purchase, but never found the "perfect" one at the "perfect = cheap" price. I nearly picked a calender up from the Christmas Store the other weekend, but didn't want to fork over the cash. I think I would nix the Bingo and instead label with Christmas, but I like the simplicity of the project and the distressed look. Plus, the project involves spray paint AND power tools. Wahoo!

I'll keep you posted as to when and if any of the projects fit into my future :-)

Happy Halloween!

We celebrated our first Halloween with Tam this past weekend. This is one of my favorite holidays and I really enjoy decorating the entire house with scary/creeping paraphernalia. Cobwebs, animated pictures, creepy skulls...we had it all. And this year I was as big as a whale while trying to hang the stuff up on the walls. (Much easier, even with Tam's "help").

As to costumes, since Halloween was Wednesday, I didn't wear something to school. Then, on Saturday morning, I had to attend a local conference for undergraduate research and was sporting the professional attire. In the end, I wore orange and black, but no over-the-top swag for me. Tam, however, was too cute! I had picked up a cow costume from another mom last summer at a yard sale. The sleeper fit fine with its black and white spots and darling little tail. The hat was a little big, so the ears kept flopping in his face. Brian wore jeans, a flannel, and a vest - going as a cross cultures farmer.

We invited friends and neighbors to stop by through out the evening for chili, candy, and beer (depending on the age). Some of my students who attended the conference came for a brief time before hitting other parties. And our friends with small kids stopped by as well. This meant that Tam had plenty of playmates during the evening. Our doorbell rang intermittently, and I am happy to say that nearly all trick or treaters had costumes this year. More importantly, all of them said thank you :-) Our friends' son, Xander (2yrs), had a hoot saying hello and goodbye to all the kiddies who stopped by our door.

It was a fun evening spent socializing with good company. We were tuckered out from all the brouhaha by 9:30pm! Can't wait until next year!

Finally a first tooth appears

Checking the baby books', both Brian and I were late teethers (11months). Tam has been no different. With previous levels of drooling, we had thought he was teething for the past two months! Nothing...nothing...then while at home, mom had Tam flipped upside down in her arms and she noticed a white bump in his mouth.

Tam's first tooth is popping through the gums!

However, it isn't a bottom tooth first (which is more common). It's an upper front tooth coming through now. He's been running his tongue over it for the past couple of days. This means he has been making lots of great sounds :-)

As soon as it is all the way out, I'll try to snap a picture.