The end to the shaggy haired baby

After dinner last night, I kept saying, "this kid needs a haircut!" Twice in the past 3 months, I trimmed Isaiah's hair myself. It was simple, but it wasn't great. The first time I trimmed his bangs too short it revealed his big forehead...gee where does it come from? *sigh*

John and I took Isaiah to Hair Cuttery since it was close by and we know some of the stylist. I was a bit nervous. Not for the stylist, but for my wiggly baby boy. It was close to 7 p.m. when he is getting ready for bed and turns into a nightmare.

I sat with Isaiah in the chair and had his favorite teddy bear ready to pull-out anytime the waterworks decided to show up. The guy was super fast, that Isaiah didn’t have a second to think about what was happening! He actually enjoyed it. He loved seeing his hair flying around and would constantly stare himself in the mirror laughing. He would even tilt his head for the stylist when needed. When the stylist pulled out the buzzer, I then started to sweat. I then heard giggles from Isaiah and started to think my son was crazy. I wouldn't want a buzzer near my ears! Where the heck does he get this from?

 

After finishing, the stylist rewarded Isaiah with a certificate for his 1st official haircut and even saved a few pieces of hair in an envelope for us to place in his scrapbook. I was pleased with the service and especially for Isaiah's behavior. Who would have thought a 12 month old baby enjoys haircuts? Let's hope this continues!

Party like a Rock-Star!

I can't believe the day I have been planning for 12 months has passed! That's right; I was planning Isaiah's 1st Birthday Party since the day he was born. It gave me something to look forward to while being smothered in baby spit-up, soothing a selfish soothing baby and having to constantly feed the lil dude until I felt the need to declare my "kitchen" bankrupt.

I wanted to make my son's Birthday a big deal not only for him, but for us parents. It is a day to celebrate his 1st year of life, while it's also a time for parents to celebrate surviving and not killing each other (no not the baby you sickos). I do hope that doesn't come across harsh, but let's face it, the 1st few months with an infant start to make you a bit crazy. If you seem to disagree, then I admire your patience. My patience comes from a couple shots of Captain, but that seems to rob my wallet.

I decided not to cook myself since I wanted to give my guests my full attention. Besides, cooking for 20+ people would have killed me. Pay someone else to do it! We catered the party with Willard's BBQ. My brother and I seemed to disagree with what BBQ joint to go with, but I was the one paying so he can swallow his pride and remain silent. Christian, Dixie Bones is cool, but geographically, why would I travel 20 miles to a BBQ joint when there is one next-door and even cooler? Think about it smart guy!

We ended up with 23 guests in our house, which seemed like a full house! I was very happy to catch-up with family and old friends. Not to mention, having tons of cutie babies in my house to occupy Isaiah. It felt good walking away from him and entertaining people while he was cool stealing the other kids toys and balloons. I was thankful the kids weren’t brats and at least shared their toys. Thanks lil Annabelle for sharing your maraca!

I could go on and on about the party since it was a huge success, but I wanted to close with one memorable thought. Our good friend, Eric Williams put together a video for Isaiah's party. He used the clips John and I recorded through-out the year along with photos. I do hope to put it up on the web for others to watch soon. I can't stop looking at it and tend to get teary eye each time. I must be annoying John while constantly playing it over and over.

I remember relaxing that night with John and mentioning how we put a lot of effort into our first child that he already seems like our last sometimes. I don't want him to be my final child, but that's for God to decide. I want to treasure my future blessings with the same amount of attention and effort, which is why I wish to hold off. If it were up to me, I would wait a few more years. I love just us 3 musketeers at the moment! I don't want to change that anytime soon. We'll see what the future holds for us.


Thanks to everyone who made Isaiah's party a success! He enjoyed your company and fun gifts.

Winter Hater

It has been a crazy winter so far. I am beginning to believe that whole global warming shenanigans is make-believe. (I seriously hope you follow my sarcasm) I was telling my husband that I wish global warming was real during these crazy winter storms. So far, we have experienced 1 big snow storm and 2-4 minor ones that are enough to close schools. This Friday-Saturday, we are expecting another big one enough to trap my family inside and miss church on Sunday. Has anyone in the DC area noticed these storms occur only on the weekends?


The biggest issue I have with winter is being trapped inside where I feel the need to start a new project or clean, sit in front of a TV all day getting addicted to another show similar to Heroes or Lost, creating a new mess in the kitchen, shoveling out my cars, and last but not least the cold! Yes, it's beautiful when the snow first falls, but I can't help but think of the aftermath instantly and begin to shake my head in sadness. My complaining won't change a thing, but I am ready for a place warmer and NO, this doesn't mean FL. Sorry to my FL buddies, but I only view your state as a vacation getaway. You guys are a little too slow pace in my taste. I love the DC culture, but I wish to take it somewhere warmer.

 As many of you know, my husband and I might move in the next year or so due to school. My husband graduates next January from Capital Bible College. He is very excited to start looking into seminaries this summer and fall. I just told him to stop looking and stick with Westminster Theological Seminary CA. Don't get me wrong, my husband adores the school and staff, but the price to live in Southern California is crazy! Especially for someone who plans on attending school full-time with his awesome wife at home cooking and cleaning and making sure the kid isn’t raised like a mischievous sprite. We are in the process of fixing up our townhome, getting out of debt, and saving money towards school. So far we are on the right track, but prayers are needed. The school will fulfill my husband’s dreams and his wives dreams of warm weather. *tear*

O' Come All Ye Faithful

Ahhhhhh the calm feeling after Christmas has finally passed. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy this time of year, but like any secular American we celebrate your typical traditions that can only be enjoyed once a year. You get to bake cookies and eat all the delicious treats you want without feeling guilty since your New Year Resolution to loose weight doesn’t kick in until AFTER January 1st! Not to mention many lame movies that has a sentimental message of giving. I enjoy some of those sappy movies, but I tend to turn them off towards the end to save myself from criticizing the movie. My favorite secular tradition is shopping! I can do without the wrapping part to shopping though.


This year had to be the best for my husband and I since it was Isaiah’s first Christmas. I don’t think he’ll remember much, but I do know he was investigating why we placed a green large pointy object in our living room with sparkly dangerous objects attached to it. Along with being spoiled for no reason. I didn’t really discuss that whole fat Santa coming down chimney’s to only the good kid’s story. I honestly don’t want to lie to my son since my husband and I play a huge role in his life. Rather, I will allow him to take part in Santa activities but explain that it is all fake and just for fun. I did avoid the whole “be good for goodness sake” message as well. Instead, this is the reason for us celebrating Christmas. Jesus Christ was born to pay for the penalty of sinners. Not for the good and perfect, but for the poor sinners. Without His perfect obedience, there would be no hope for the sinner. The Christian can rejoice in this!

I would post pics with John, but he hates them all. :(

Joy of Parenting-- #1 Defending vaccines

Jenny McCarthy and boyfriend Jim Carrey are great for medical advice!

“Thank You For Smoking”

[Nick Naylor and his son arguing about ice cream]

Joey: So, what happens when you're wrong?
Nick: Well, Joey, I'm never wrong.
Joey: But you can't always be right.
Nick: Well, if it's your job to be right, then you're never wrong.
Joey: But what if you are wrong?
Nick: Okay, let's say that you're defending chocolate and I'm defending vanilla. Now, if I were to say to you, "Vanilla's the best flavor ice cream", you'd say …?
Joey: "No, chocolate is."
Nick: Exactly. But you can't win that argument. So, I'll ask you: So you think chocolate is the end-all and be-all of ice cream, do you?
Joey: It's the best ice cream; I wouldn't order any other.
Nick: Oh. So it's all chocolate for you, is it?
Joey: Yes, chocolate is all I need.
Nick: Well, I need more than chocolate. And for that matter, I need more than vanilla. I believe that we need freedom and choice when it comes to our ice cream, and that, Joey Naylor, that is the definition of liberty.
Joey: But that's not what we're talking about.
Nick: Ah, but that's what I'm talking about.
Joey: But … you didn't prove that vanilla's the best.
Nick: I didn't have to. I proved that you're wrong, and if you're wrong, I'm right.
Joey: But you still didn't convince me.
Nick: Because I'm not after you. I'm after them.

This tedious debate reminds me of a tactic that “anti-vaccinationist” use when in a heated discussion about their lack of scientific evidence when it comes to vaccines cause autism. I always notice a shift in the direction of their discussion.

I have been studying vaccines a lot more since I notice the “anti-vaccinationist” is at large and I seem to be a minority. Sometimes it would be easier to lay off the topic to avoid being annoyed, but it is hard when people automatically look at my beautiful son, then pop the question, “Is he vaccinated?” Is this a trick question? Either way I answer will lead to a debate. Let’s face it, I am not a Doctor so no matter what information I provide them, their still going to go with their gut feeling. I am just your typical new Mom who is learning how to survive in this new society I discovered after giving birth to Isaiah.

I could use arguments that my Mom vaccinated all 9 of her kids, and their fine, but then it would seem arrogant. Am I really fine? Maybe I am screwed up in the head, but I am still alive so that’s a good thing, right!? The easiest method would point them to studies from numerous doctors, but then they will throw out a website provided from a resource that is from a Chemist or maybe even a Playboy Model. You know they are the greatest people to ask medical advice from! (sarcasm)

If you wish to retrieve your information on the link between vaccines and autism, please reach out to the former Playboy model, Jenny McCarthy. After all, she is very bright and funny, so she seems like an all facts type of gal. On a serious note, I would rather suggest reading from the compiled studies and literature at http://www.dangeroustalk.net/a-team/Vaccines.

In the end, parents want to do what’s best for their child. Yes, there are risks in vaccines, but they’re few and far between and the benefit outweighs those risks. And no good experimental evidence has been presented to the scientific community to prove that one of those risks was autism. Doctors today are extremely careful with using “should” when it comes to pointing out what’s best for their child. When it comes to vaccinations, they will encourage you and use the word “should” as they would when stating that you “should” strap your child into a safe car seat.

Headbanging during the Christmas season Pt. 2

Although I thought they could have picked up the pace to this, it is still pure talent. One of my all time favorite, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

Headbanging during the Christmas season

One of my favorite bands, August Burns Red put together this beautiful piece of, "Carol of the Bells." I thought this ballet video was appropriate for this. This is what I call talent.