Reformation Day

 On this day in 1517, Martin Luther wrote what is known known as "The 95 Theses."  Although he wasn't intending to, he started the Protestant Reformation.

I don't celebrate Halloween, but I do celebrate Reformation Day (which just so happens to also be on October 31st).

My favorite Luther quote is from when Luther stood before the Diet of Worms:

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other.  May God help me. Amen."

And another favorite:

“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”

Happy Reformation Day!!!

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, with every Christmas card I write...

There is snow forecasted for tonight--1 to 3 inches, can you believe it???  While I am not looking forward to the cold cold COLD winter that is coming up, the snow is a reminder that Christmas is almost here!

If you have read this blog for a while or you know me in person, you know that I LOVE Christmas.  Absolutely and completely LOVE Christmas.  It is by far my favorite holiday.

Last year, we sent out our very first Christmas card.  I am excited to send out cards again this year, because Baby Jack will be on the card!!!

This year we are going to use Shutterfly.  They have so many different options, and I can't wait to figure out which one I am going to use!  Okay, Bech gets a slight say in it, but really it's all me!

I have already been scoping out all of the cute Christmas cards.  A few of my favorites:

(I like that this one would allow for a really big picture!)

I love the simplicity but bright colors of this one!

This card has stripes AND bright colors--two of my favorite things!

But I think this final one might be it...

I am crazy about this card!  I LOVE the patterned trees!

(Please act surprised if you get this in your mailbox!)

My favorite search technique for Christmas cards is to look at the "Whimsy" or the "Merry and Bright" categories.  But that's just me--you should check out their other categories.  

I also love Shutterfly's birth announcements (and other types of stationary).  A sweet friend gave us our announcements, but I had been looking on Shutterfly before we knew about that gift.

I'm also kind of crazy about the photo notepads--too cute!  Do you think Bech would like one of these to carry around with him?  (He is constantly taking notes on the weirdest things--wouldn't he rather take it on paper with Jack's picture?)

Check out all of the cute cards at Shutterfly--you will not be disappointed!

Are you a blogger?  Want a change at 25 free cards this holiday season?  Register here!

We have been back from Mississippi for a week now, and I just now feel like we have caught up!  

We had a busy weekend, with two housing events.  We also had a BBQ dinner for our housing boss who is moving back to Guam.

This week will be busy as well.  Tomorrow night we are having a "dip dinner" with some friends and neighbors--it's like a potluck except we will all bring fun dips!  Thursday night we are carving pumpkins with other neighbors.  And Friday night we are roasting chicken with some more neighbors.  

This weekend, I plan on getting lots of homework done!  I am completely caught up (and even a little ahead now) on all of my homework.  But I want to begin working on my final paper in one of my classes.  I have started the research process (printed off articles from JSTOR and requested others from ILL)--now I just have to begin reading!

But I will be sure to take tons of study breaks to cuddle with this chunk:

Seriously, that smile just melts me.  But Jack attack has some serious hair issues.  His hair is partly falling out and partly coming in.

Thanks Bella for the cute outfit!

He looks so old in this picture!

4 Months!

So, this is definitely a few days late.  But, I'm still doing it, because I want to look back at these!

Jack weighs 17 1/2 lbs (and that was a week ago, so let's be honest--he weighs more by now!).  He is a big and tall baby!  He eats 6 times a day, about 5 oz each time.  He is still EBF.  We are going to wait to add in solids until 6 months.  My dad and our pediatrician (who we love) both advice waiting that long.  

Jack still has a dream feed (now around 10:15), but we've been slowly moving it earlier.  In fact, I might try for 10:00 tonight!  Hopefully in the next monthor two, we'll have dropped it and he'll sleep 11 hours straight!

Jack is in size 3 diapers (although they're a little large) and he is almost out of his 3-6 month clothes.

Jack is getting to be more and more fun to play with!  He will laugh and laugh.  He loves playing with toys and being tickled.

I would not be surprised if we have a tooth or two poking through by 5 months.  He has been chewing on everything and drooling like there's no tomorrow.  I can't feel anything yet, though.

Jack had a big month--he flew down to Mississippi again and went to his first Ole Miss game (well he sat in the grove, but that counts!).

He also went to the pumpkin patch and apple picking.

Likes: laughing and playing, baths, cuddling (I love having a cuddly baby!)

Dislikes: very little, maybe being cold?

And a comparison...

I love my little chunk!!!

Best Hummus Ever

Okay, so maybe that is too lofty of a title.  I am sure that my hummus is not the best hummus ever.  But my latest batch is the best hummus I have ever made.

I love to read blogs.  If you know me, you probably know that about.  But I'm usually not too big on food blogs.  However, last year I found Macheesmo.  I LOVE this blog.  We have only made a few recipes from this blog so far, but he always has great ideas.  He includes pictures but doesn't go overboard (actually that's why I don't read Pioneer Woman--too many pictures!).  

Sometimes Macheesmo does posts about Homemade vs. Store bought.  He will compare the two in the categories of nutrition, cost, and flavor.  This summer he did hummus.  Jack was only like 2 weeks old at the time, so I knew I wasn't going to make hummus anytime soon.  But something he said really stuck out to me--the best texture wise was using canned beans that you rub the skins off of.

Bech and I usually buy the dried beans and cook them ourselves.  The hummus I make is good flavor wise, but always lacks a little something texture wise.  I can never get it smooth enough.  

I went to Costco the other day and got a HUGE can of garbanzo beans for like 3 dollars (seriously, how is that even possible?  how is Costco making money?).  So I decided to try out Macheesmo's hummus method.

Oh my lanta...sooo good!  The hummus was so creamy.  Bech and I both declared it my best hummus yet.  Sure, the hummus took about 15 extra minutes, because I had to rub off all of the skins.  But compared to how long it takes me to cook the dried beans, that's nothing.

So anyway, this may be the most boring post ever.  And I have no pictures of my yummy hummus.  But if you make your own hummus a lot (or if you don't but want to start), you should definitely try out this method!

Pumpkin Patch

The day before we left to go home, Jack's pumpkin outfit finally arrived!  I had wanted this in so I could take pictures here in Vermont.  But I brought it home so we could try for pumpkin pictures there.

We found a little pumpkin display at the Market Basket in Brookhaven.  And although it looks like Jack is sitting up completely on his own, Mom and I took turns hiding behind him and holding him up!  Whatever it takes to get a good picture, right?

I love his little foot in this picture.

He wasn't so sure about taking pictures at first.

But he started to warm up to the idea.

Love this little half smile!

There's a real smile!

Pretty sure my child is massive.  Look at all of the fat in those cheeks!  We weighed him at my dads office and he was 17 1/2 lbs...oh my lanta!  I always wanted a fat baby, and I definitely have one now!

Back from the South

We are back!  Jack and I had a great, albeit very fast paced, time!

Last weekend was homecoming at Brookhaven High, and Ansley is the mascot.  So of course on Friday night, we had to go see her as "Peppy the Panther."  Jack wasn't really sure what to think of her in her outfit.

This is Precious.  She was Katy's little sister through Boys and Girls club way back in 2001, and we have loved her ever since!  When Katy when away to college, Mom became her "Big Sis."  Precious just started college this year, and we are all really proud of her!

Friday night we drove up to Oxford, getting in very late!  But we hit the grove on Saturday about lunch time.  Here is Jack sporting his grove attire.  He looked adorable--I love a cute pair of jon jons on baby boys!

Blaise's favorite way to hold Baby Jack.  Jack loves his "Bubby."

This guy is hilarious.  Jack is definitely not so sure about taking a picture with him.  But when else would he have a picture with a real live "Colonel Reb?"

Jack with one of his other uncles, Hunter (Bech's little brother).  I love this picture--it's so sweet.  About 5 minutes after this picture, Jack fell asleep in Hunter's arms.  It had been a long day!

Sunday morning, we headed over for a quick visit with Jack's fourth great grandparent (and his last one to meet)--Grandma Jean.  Um, pretty sure Jack looks huge in this picture.  Actually, he is pretty huge.

We had a wonderful time!  Traveling by myself with a baby was not great but not awful.  On the way to Mississippi, I had to get rerouted.  I was supposed to be on 2 flights, getting into New Orleans at 9:30.  Instead, I had 3 flights and got into Jackson at midnight...not fun!

And I was surprised at the lack of people in Burlington that offered to help.  When I went through security at the airport, people just watched me struggle with all of the stroller equipment, the diaper bag, and a baby.  But when I was in the New Orleans airport on my way back, everyone and their brother offered to help--I love the South!

Finally, a picture of Jack and me.  I have been told by so many women that they wished they had more pictures of themselves with their children.  I hate having pictures of myself and feel like I look like a hot mess most days, but I know I will want pictures with Jack someday.  So here we are cuddling at my parents house---I love that boy!

Trip down south

Tomorrow afternoon Jack and I will set off for the South.  Y'all, please pray--I am flying solo with Jack!  He was amazing on his first set of flights, and I hope he is the same.  And honestly, he is such a sweet and easy baby.  But sometimes, he gets his fussy moods, so lets hope that does not happen on the plane.  I do not want to be hated by all of the other passengers!

My mom is picking us up at the New Orleans airport tomorrow night, and we are headed to Brookhaven.  Friday is Brookhaven High's homecoming, and since the mascot is absolutely wonderful (it's Ansley), I have to see her perform!  And this will be Jack's only chance to see her as the Panther.  After the game on Friday night, we will head to Oxford, also known as the Promised Land.  Actually, it's not known as the Promised Land, but it feels that way to me!

I am hoping to get a breakfast in at Bottletree before hitting the Grove.  We are playing Alabama, and I have no illusions of us winning.  In fact, Mom and I are going to hang out in the Grove with Jack rather than  watch the game.  I think the stadium would be a little overwhelming for him.

Then Jack and I will head back to Btown with the family, and head home on Tuesday.  A whirlwind, but fun trip!

Here are some pictures of the Grove in past years...

My last time in the grove, 2 years ago!

I'll be missing this guy... :(

But Bech will be visiting graduate schools while Jack and I are gone!

This picture is from my senior year...whoa...Blaise and Ansley look so young!  Katy, you look the same, which is a good thing!

Can't wait to be back in Dixie!

random pictures

I love when I upload pictures from the camera and find a Jack photo shoot of Bech's.  So here you go...

Look at that little wrinkled brow...so serious!

Again with the wrinkles.  

I'm pretty sure those eyes aren't getting any darker.  It looks like we are going to have a blue eyed, red headed little boy!

Here he is sticking out his tongue.  My mother taught him this when we were home and she is so proud of herself.

Seriously, I'm in love with those eyes!  I love my cute little boy.