November 2010 Snapshot

The folks over at Building Cathedrals, a blog I like, started doing a "Thoughts for Thursday" thing a few months ago where each writer basically gives a snapshot of their home and family on their particular Thursday.  I really liked this because it preserves in time all the little, mundane, ordinary things your family is up to at that moment, that when looked back upon, really are extra-ordinary.  With that goal in mind, I thought to start doing monthly snapshots of our family to keep you all updated on the things we can't capture in a real snapshot, and to capture the memories of all those little, yet amazing, things that we might not otherwise remember.  Here's our first go at it:

What Are We...
Reading:
Cody- Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe;
Erin- Just finished Northanger Abbey and just started Persuasion, both Jane Austen.  We are also reading The Virtue Driven Life by Fr. Benedict Groschel for our reading group this month; 
Sean- Happy Halloween Curious George, Curious George Counting Book, and Winnie the Pooh's Treasure;
James-the word "Exersaucer" printed on his favorite piece of furniture.

Cooking/Eating:
Cody and Erin: we just tried a new Butternut Squash soup recipe and it was delicious!  Trying a new Potato Soup recipe for the crockpot later this week. Other than that, the usual grilled chicken, stir fry, tacos, etc.
Sean- Peanut Butter and Jelly-- lots of it.  He also gets a treat after dinner if he goes all day without an accident.  He has been choosing his lollipop as his treat lately-- and working on the SAME one since Halloween night.  It goes in the refridgerator in wax paper in between turns.
James- rice cereal, green beans, peas, squash and sweet potatoes!

Talking about:
Cody and Erin: How to configure the car for a long trip to Michigan; Cody's criminal defense attorney's CLE; the gubernatorial election in SC; how to say goodbye to good friends. 
Sean: "Seannie Seannie hear a Thomas (train) outside,"  "Daddy pick you (me) up," "Mommy put your (my) mittens on you (me)."  Sean has also mastered the concept of "two weeks," as in, "Seannie Seannie go to Michigan in two weeks."   Sean's favorite number lately is 4, and almost always asks to "read 4 books" when going to bed, or "want 4 pieces of egg" in the morning.
James: Starting to babble with "B's" and lots of giggling, mostly at his brother. James used his first baby-sign a few weeks ago--"milk."  He does it while he's eating and he lights up if you ask him if he wants milk while using the sign.

Praying For: 
Cody and Erin: Meg-- as she is working though a tough illness and a mysterious auto-immune disorder diagnosis; for guidance about the next steps in our careers and our family.  I am also constantly praying for pregnant friends and those giving birth, like Susie just did!  There is something about friends being in labor that makes me so anxious all I can do is pray for them all day.  Praise God baby Carson is here and healthy!  Next up is Bridget and her little bundle!
Sean: In this order: Aub, Neece and Michael, and Greta.  Then its fair game who come next.  Micah, his dog, GG and Dada, Eva, Mama Peggy, Pop and B and Uncle, Emmy, Gretchen, or when Riley babysat him last week "The Big Bad Wolf." (pray for your enemies, i guess?).
James: more milk.

Listening To:
Cody and Erin: A few new songs from the Crazy Heart soundtrack, a lot of Willie and Van Morrison, and the new U2 album. Oh, and a lot of Darius Rucker. 
Sean: Anything by Bono, Beautiful Boy remake by Ben Harper (I told him it is his song since the original says "darling Sean" at the end), and The Priests
James: The exersaucer songs.

Thankful For:
Cody: That we are all healthy, and that someone brought in Starbucks to work today. 
Erin: Being home all day which makes it possible to wake up sweet, warm, cuddly boys from naps.
Sean: New matching Christmas-monkey jammies from Mama Peggy. (see below)
James: milk. 

Milestones/Special Accomplishments
Cody--shaved his beard and looks exceedingly handsome; had a great result on a trial he prepared for all week night and day but then ended up pleading to a very good result at the last minute. 
Erin-- I am mastering the coupon+sale method of grocery shopping, plus making a few pretty cool christmas gifts--working on the "home economics" side of being a stay-at-home-mom. 
Cody and Erin: We had our first night away from children in almost 2.5 years this past week.  Many thanks to my mom who stayed over night solo with the boys while Cody and I enjoyed a night out in Savannah--just husband, wife and breastpump!  We left in the late afternoon and I was back by late morning, only missing two feedings with Jamesie.  It was so nice to have a date with my husband, and in such a wonderful and romantic city!  We basically just copied Denise and Michael's first date in terms of restaurant and bar selection, and we loved it.
Sean: lots of "dry days" in a row lately with no accidents!  Which mostly requires a poop on the potty which is a huge deal around here.  The other day in the grocery store he sounded out the word "B-I-G" mostly by himself. 
James- Got his first two teeth literally on the day of his 6-mo check up.  On Sunday he was chomping down on our fingers and we didn't feel a thing.  On Monday morning the doctor nonchalantly says "I see his teeth have come in."  I looked like a negligent mother that I hadn't even noticed!  I was trying to convince him, "I swear those two teeth were not there last night."  James also sat up by himself for the first time this week--just over 6 months!

That's all for now.  Anything else you'd like to be updated on for future editions?

I went to Costco and got a two-pack of cute boys.  Just kidding-- we just got the monkey-jammies there.