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Happy Birthday Marcus!

I realize that, once again, I haven't written in a while - but life is busy these days and I'm slowly trying to catch up! I am going to update everyone on this past week at another time (hopefully tomorrow) because today's post is solely for one very special guy... no, not Easton (although he is right up there too!)

Today is my husband's birthday. He is 27 years old - but hasn't seemed to age in the 4 years we've been together! He is the most fun-loving, caring, child-like male I have ever met. As I say this, he is bouncing Easton in the bouncer and watching old episodes of "Spongebob Squarepants". < insert cringe >  Marcus is going to be the father that wakes up on the weekends with Easton and watches cartoons all morning (not spongebob though;) He is a little kid at heart, and honestly, that is what I love about him. He has so many qualities that I can't help but smile/laugh at. He makes me laugh even when I'm upset with him - and that is a tough thing to achieve. The past four years have been a learning experience and at times, haven't been easy, but they've definitely been worth it and I am very lucky to have him. 

So, Marcus, here is a shout out to you: Thank you for being my shoulder to lean on, my person to vent to, and my friend to laugh with. Thank you for rising to the challenge of being a wonderful father who, when all is said and done, would do anything for his little guy. I can already see the way Easton stares at you, and sits contently in your arms - and I know you two will have an amazing relationship :) I can't wait to watch you two grow together. I hope today is one amazing day! Easton and I can't wait to spend it with you <3

Uninspired

To be quite frank, I haven't been too inspired to write lately. So, to those that may check my blog and hope to see a new post frequently (or at least every week), I apologize. Life has been pretty busy lately and I am slowly adjusting.

Soaring Wings Vineyard - so much fun!

Picking up dad at the airport!

My parents were here visiting/watching Easton and then my mother-in-law came to visit/watch Easton. The house has it's quiet ambiance back, which quite frankly, is nice. Don't get me wrong - it's wonderful having family here to visit, and I greatly appreciate both my mother's and Deb's help throughout the past 2 weeks, but it's nice to have the house to ourselves too.
I had the day off yesterday due to conferences, and it was a very busy day at that! My friend Sara and her daughter Maggie invited Easton and I out to Pooley's Pumpkin Patch. Well, by the time we get out there, it is so windy that it wasn't worth bundling up the little ones and walking around to see everything. We decided to go to Hobby Lobby and get some supplies to paint pumpkins! It was a nice, relaxing evening drinking wine and painting pumpkins and hanging out with great company! (The little ones had fun too :)

Easton & Maggie hanging out in the pumpkins

Halloween pumpkin painting 2011

My pumpkins - Witch=me, spider=Marc, Tiger=Easton :)

Today, I was up at 7 with Easton and we just hung out all morning. I fed him, gave him a bath, we visited back and forth while he stared intently at the lights and music of his jungle gym, and then he ate some more :) It was a very fun and relaxing morning - and much needed.

I just love his smiles - and I get them more often now too :)

Then, I went for a run around Lake Zorinsky. It was hard work - but felt amazing! I haven't ran in over a year and haven't really worked out in the past 10 months... so saying I am "out of shape" is definitely an understatement. I am slowly but surely going to get back in shape! Marcus came out there with Easton and after I ran around the lake, I walked a bit with them... then we went and got Red Mango.. if you have not tried it, you best do so soon!! It is frozen yogurt and healthy smoothies... AMAZING!!! I will definitely be a frequent customer in that place.
This afternoon, Marcus and I took Easton out to Shadow Lake Towne Center to do some shopping and walking around. I got another charm for my bracelet - Easton's birthstone, which is a bright green color - very pretty :) Then we ate and came home! As I sit here, I can hear Marcus talking to Easton over the baby monitor that's in the nursery - very sweet :) Easton is getting bigger every day and I can't believe he is growing up so fast. I just love watching him - and the faces that he makes can only make a person smile.

My bracelet so far

So, these next two weeks are really busy for the Anderson clan :) This coming Sunday is Marcus' 27th birthday and the following Tuesday is my 25th birthday.. wow we are getting old ;) We don't really know what we're doing for the weekend yet - possibly going out Friday night and watching the Husker game Saturday night... I think Easton and I will take Marcus out for a birthday dinner on Sunday :)

I'm going to be completely honest... being a mommy is one of the hardest jobs. It is more difficult than my teaching job. Easton has been having some tummy discomfort lately, so we have been low on sleep (thank goodness for my Xyng!) and confidence - I say confidence because I feel like a failure because I don't know how to help him. I feel awful because as a mother, I should know what to do to make him calm down and stop crying when he is in pain, and I don't. He has his two month check up on Wednesday, so hopefully we can get some answers then. There are many aspects of parenthood that I expected, and many I didn't. The positives definitely out-weigh the negatives... I just wish there was a "how-to" manual for being a mom. It's certainly a trial and error lesson.
I am slowly realizing that Easton is now the most important person in my life (I say that over Marcus because Easton depends on us 100%) and it is upsetting to see how much your relationships with others change. It's eye-opening to see how people react to the idea of you having a child. I don't care so much how people treat me and respond to me, but I do care how others respond to my son. I guess it comes down to being genuine and caring about his well-being... and if that isn't apparent, I don't know where to go. Life throws us curves, and we just learn to swerve. I can only look at it as a learning experience.

Easton's first pumpkins

Loves his "Minnesota Wild" onesies from Grandpa Corey

Okay... that was a really long post and I apologize... I'll end it with a video :)

Anxious

MY MOM IS FLYING IN TONIGHT!!!

I am soo excited and anxious to see her :) It is going to be so nice knowing that Easton will be with her the first day I go back to work! The students and my coworkers are also throwing Easton a baby shower tomorrow afternoon at work! I guess they are really excited that I'm coming back and to meet Easton - so excited they cheered when told the news last week, haha. I am also a little anxious to get back to work - even though I will miss Easton very much. At least it's only 3 days this week!

So, I've cleaned the house in preparations for my mom to get here - and for my mother-in-law to get here next week! Hopefully Grandpa Corey will be able to make it on Friday! I have some fun stuff planned for this weekend - and it's supposed to be gorgeous out!! Let's hope the forecast doesn't change :)

Alright, I need to feed Easton here and get some other stuff done before Marcus gets home from work! I hope everyone has a great rest of their Tuesday. Make your day a good one :)

Just praying while drinking a bottle :)

I love his smiles

and this face :)

Sitting up with the help of a pillow... haha

Five

Again, in honor of breast cancer awareness month, I did a little research on a movie that will air on Lifetime next week, Five. It is 5 short films that shows the impact of breast cancer on people's lives. I personally cannot wait to watch these films. They were directed by very prominent people - Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore, Patty Jenkins, and Penelope Spheeris. Just watching the previews gives me goosebumps and I am anxious to see the drama and humor that I see from those previews.
Five premieres Monday October 10th at 9pm/8c on Lifetime! You can find more information here.

A new look...

As you can see, the blog has a new face. October is ALSO "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and naturally, I saw fit to honor the occasion on the blog.
For most everyone I know, the word "cancer" has some awful memories and thoughts attached to it. Myself included. It's one of those negatives in life that can often overtake the positives. Just the mere thought of being told you have cancer is enough to knot up your stomach and cause your mind to stray to the unthinkable. Believe me, it's not something that you expect to hear - and are at ease with. Cancer sneaks up on a person... It's one of those diseases that has been around for a long while. It will continue to be around and we will continue to hear the word many times throughout our lives. We are fortunate to be living in an era where medicine is of greater value to the disease. Sure, there isn't a cure - yet - but if caught early enough and with a little hope, faith, love, and prayers, cancer can be a wonderful afterthought.

Over time, I have learned to look at the word "cancer" in a new light, thanks to some dear family members of mine. A few years ago when I heard my grandma had breast cancer, my mind strayed to all of the negatives. It took reading a courageous email from her to make me realize that there are positives that can come from having cancer. My grandma and aunt are LIVING proof :) They are perfect examples of brave, determined women who have battled breast cancer and won! They never faltered or gave up; they believed and trusted the man upstairs to take care of them, they prayed for strength, they kept their faith and hope and in turn were given no more than they could handle. They are more than deserving of the title "survivor." This is also the case for every other woman, man, and child out there who has looked cancer straight in the face and won - as well as those whose outcome was less. You are all people whom I hold deep admiration for.

So, in honor of breast cancer awareness month, I am going to wear my pink bracelet for the remaining days of October. I am also going to make it a point to tell the people I care about that I love them and cherish the good times with family and friends. I am going to become more aware of ways I can try and prevent bc and better my health.
Here are some websites with lots of great information about breast cancer...
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
Susan G Komen

I also wanted to upload this video of Martina McBride's new song... it is perfect for this post and month and hopefully it will make people realize the importance of family, friends, and support through tough times.

October

Today is the first day of October - one of my favorite months of the year! I'm looking at the beginning of this month as a "fresh start". I go back to work on Wednesday and it feels as if I'm just going to be starting a new school year since I wasn't there for very long in August. My maternity leave is coming to a close... I have mixed feelings on going back to work. I am sad to be leaving Easton. I feel as if I've taken these past 6 1/2 weeks for granted a little and am going to really miss spending all day with him. On the other hand, I am excited to be getting back into a routine. I need some more socialization throughout the day I think :) This transition will be difficult, but will be much needed at the same time. I feel as if I'll appreciate my time with Easton more as well when I go to get him from daycare and have evenings to spend with him :)

Just a few other things I'm excited for this month:

* Family visiting

*Hopefully a trip to the zoo next weekend

*Valas Pumpkin Patch

*Bonfires

*Possible hay-rack ride
*Breast cancer awareness month

*Easton's 2 month check-up

*Marcus' 27th birthday

*My 25th (and golden) birthday!! Yay for cheaper car insurance :)

*Our birthday celebration with friends

*Finding Easton his first halloween costume

*A trip to Moorhead at the end of the month

*Easton's baptism

*Halloween

I challenge you to look at today as a fresh start to goals you wish to accomplish, new things you wish to try. Now is the time to smile and laugh more, be with people you love, tell people how you feel, say I'm sorry if need be, wipe the slate clean, forgive...  We are fortunate to have dreams and hopes to look forward to - remember that!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 1st of October and also looks forward to this month as much as I do :)

"People become really quite remarkable when they start

thinking that they can do things. When they believe inthemselves they have the first secret of success."~Norman Vincent Peale~