Midweek Confessions

Today, I am linking up again with "E, Myself, and I" for Midweek Confessions.

- As a working, breastfeeding mom (so thus a pumping mom), I have started measuring the success of each day in ounces. It's sad that my mood changes based on that.

- This week, I scored 132 points on a word from "Words With Friends"...my life may be complete. 

- I have seen people cross out words on blogs like so for months now.  I have always wondered how they did it.  I just now noticed that it's a function at the top of the page, right beside bold, italic, and underline.  Please tell me this a new feature, and that I'm not just dumb or unobservant.

- This is a good confession, but it's a confession none the less...I have a job interview next week!  I am flying to interview for a Latin teaching job.  I hope I get it, but I am trying to be real about the possibility that I might not.

And because he's just so darn cute, here is a picture of Baby Jack...so serious!

Jack's Nursery, Part 2

Last June, I put up some pictures of Jack's nursery, but I haven't updated any of those pictures!

Now, please remember, we live in graduate housing.  So I can't paint the walls, and everything has a sort of industrial look to it (especially the carpet...I hate the carpet!).   But I think Jack's room has ended up pretty sweet, regardless.

I saw a picture on a blog of a nursery with a shelf and a daygown hanging from it.  My sweet friend Amy (to whom I showed the picture) happened up on this shelf in a goodwill in Pittsburgh.  She picked it up for me, I painted it, and Bech hung it.  I love how it looks!  The blue gown is the one Jack wore home from the hospital.  The white one he wore at his sip n' see in Jackson.  They are both so precious.  On the shelf I have The Velveteen Rabbit, a silver frame engraved with Jack's baptism date (and a picture of us on his baptism), and these darling bookend figurines that Miss Amy gave Jack.  And on the chair is a blanket that one of Bech's best friends from college made for Jack.

Here is Jack's dresser, the shelf, and Bella's gift to Jack.  It is a Jane Austen quote: "The very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone."  I LOVE it.

The dresser, which feels a little chaotic (I need to work on it).  The piggy bank is from one of Bech's Mustard Seed co-workers and was made by one of the Seedsters.  The amphora or drinking cup was made by Bech for Jack.  

The top picture here is Bech on his first birthday...he was SUCH a cute baby!  And these apartments have no main light in each room (isn't that the weirdest thing?) so we hung a lantern.

Since Jack is too big to sleep in his Moses basket anymore, it's now holding stuffed animals and blankets.  And the wooden horse was given to him by some of my sweet professors--a Trojan Horse for Jack to play with!  I think he likes his little room (even if the carpet is ugly).

What we've been eating lately...

I have been slacking majorly in the food pictures lately...I know my mother is greatly disappointed (only kidding...she doesn't really like the food pictures!).

Part of that is because we just haven't been (or at least I haven't been) cooking much lately.  This year has been crazy what with school, Jack, and other jobs.  Mostly we just eat a lot of quesadillas, salads, hummus, etc.  We don't eat a lot of meat, partly because I don't necessarily just love meat, and partly because we try to eat grass fed beef and free range chicken.  But those types of meat are expensive--ergo, little meat.

But last week we splurged/compromised and got some organic chicken and grass fed beef.  

Here's what we've created thus far...

Buffalo chicken tacos...SO good!  Corn tortillas with lettuce, avocado, buffalo chicken, and a drizzle of blue cheese.

This is Bech's creation: beef shoulder (I think?) tacos.  These were yummy!  He slowly cooked the beef with some onions and peppers.  Then he added them to cheddar cheese and avocado on a corn tortilla.  Sprinkle some lime juice on top and it was fantastic!

Jack didn't want to miss out of any of the eating action.  This boy loves food!  He can't eat tacos yet, but I know he will love them when he can.

Also, see the super cute chevron rug in the background?  We ordered that from Urban Outfitters last week, and I love it!  I will take some more pictures of it to show.

8 Months

Baby Jack is 8 months old!

This month, we didn't get many good pictures--Jack wants to move around too much!

Jack weighs a little over 20 lbs (my guess is 21, but we won't know until we go to the doctor next month for his 9 month check-up).  He is wearing 9 to 12 month clothes (smaller in his smocked outfits).  He wears size 3 diapers.

Jack usually sleeps from 7:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. (although this month he has been going through a growth spurt, so we've had a few middle of the night feedings!).  He eats 4 times a day, about 7 oz each time.  He eats solids three times a day.

This month we tried our first finger foods--yogurt puffs.  Jack thinks they are a fun toy, but he's not so great at eating them.

Jack still just has his bottom two teeth...no signs of the tops ones, yet!

(Jack started to crawl over the edge of the chair...uh oh...!)

Jack loves to wave at people, but he has definitely started to get stranger anxiety.  Plus, he can be pretty clingy with me.  But he still loves his daycare ladies, so I am happy about that!

Jack is so much more mobile this month!  He can move himself around the floor, but he isn't quite crawling.  We are getting really close though.  He will lean over into the crawling position, but he's not sure about moving forward. Jack also loves to pull himself up on things

Likes:  Cuddling, anything that makes noise or he can chew on, sleeping, eating, baths, music, waving

Dislikes: getting out of the bath, getting his diaper changed

And finally, for comparison...

Midweek Confessions

 

Today, I am linking up again with E, Myself, and I for Midweek Confessions! 

- E mentioned that she is using breastfeeding as her only form of exercise...me, too.  I really would love to exercise, but with grad school and 3 part time jobs, it's not really a priority.

- Jack needs a bath.  He hasn't been bathed since SUNDAY...gross.  But again...I am really busy.   Oops!

- I am presenting a paper in about 3 weeks.  Am I ready at all?  Nope.  Am I that concerned?  Um, not really.  Probably should work on some motivation...

- But I am way more excited about the fact that I will (hopefully) by flying down south in a week and a half.  My first thought--will the snow cone stands be open?  I LOVE Brookhaven snow cones.  There really is nothing better.

- I am a Christmas money hoarder.  I have been known to not spend my Christmas money until July, even August.  I have Anthro gift cards and money just waiting to be spent.  And I have things I would like.  But I can't do it...I just can't spend it.  Part of the fun for me is just thinking over and over what I could buy!

- Speaking of hoarding (I can not believe I am about to confess this), I have a bottle of perfume that I received for Christmas in 2nd grade (sorry, Mom--I know you are DYING as you read this!).  There is the tiniest bit of perfume in there.  And I can't bear to get rid of it, because the smell reminds me of being 7 years old.  I clearly need help.

Alright, I better end this, before I share more really embarrassing things...

Struggles and Encouragements

This has been a rough past week or so.  Honestly, I think a lot of it is due to the weather.  It is cold and dreary, and I am ready for spring.  But spring will not come for a while here.  We have at least a month left of cold weather til it starts warming up!

The winter is very depressing.  And (no offense to any Vermonters reading this!) Vermont can be a really depressing state, especially spiritually.  I feel like I am constantly on my guard, constantly being attacked for my beliefs.  And that can be very wearying! 

Bech and I also struggle so much with feeling like we have little spiritual fellowship.  We absolutely love our friends here, but church here has been hard.  We have spent the past year and a half visiting a church here.  There are some sweet, sweet people at the church, but we have some major theological differences with the church as a whole (which have resulted in us not being more involved).  We love our PCA church plant and the people involved, but it is so young and thus not meeting yet on Sunday mornings.

Plus, this past week or two, I have felt attacked/looked down on/judged for my political and religious views.  It is tough being up here!

But in the midst of a down time, I have been encouraged in other ways.  I have a job interview for next year coming up...I am so excited about this potential job!  We had some friends over for dinner last night and enjoyed their company.  Bech and I have made some yummy meals lately and have gotten some fun quality time.  And my sweet Jack has been a joy as always.

I read these two verses today and was greatly encouraged:

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. 

Zephaniah 3:17

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

1 Peter 3:15-16

Saturday mornings...

Saturday mornings are some of my favorites!  Bech has work, so its just Jack and me.  After he gets up and eats, we just laze around in our pj's and play!

He isn't crawling yet, but when he starts, I think it will be from a sitting position.

See what I mean?

So sweet!

Jack's showing off his waving skills here.

This picture is for Bella, who gave him this toy for Christmas!

I think he likes it!

In a little bit, Jack will head back to bed for his first nap...and I might follow.  But right now he is playing with all his toys.  He loves when we dump the whole basket of toys out all around him!

Andrew Peterson

I started listening to Andrew Peterson a few years ago, but only had one cd.  But last spring, I listened to that cd non stop for a few weeks, and fell in love with it.  Since then, I've slowly been adding more of his cds to my collection.

I love lyrics, and I love songwriters who can create beautiful stories and metaphors with their words.  My favorite songwriters are David Wilcox and Derek Webb, but I think Andrew is creeping to the top of that list!

 

His songs are filled with Lewis references (my favorite) and the gospel.  During this cold and depressing winter (Vermont is not a fun place in the winter--at least in my opinion!), I have loved listening to Andrew and having the gospel daily breathed into my life.

A few of my favorite lyrics:

"And I don't believe that I believed in You as deeply as today
I reckon what I'm saying is
There's nothing more, Nothing more to say
And the mountains sing Your glory hallelujah, the canyons echo sweet amazing grace
My spirit sails, the mighty gales are bellowing Your name
And I've got nothing to say, no, I've got nothing to say"

Nothing To Say

  "I've got voices that scream in my head like a siren
Fears that I feel in the night when I sleep
Stupid choices I made when I played in the mire
Like a kid in the mud on some dirty blind street
I've got sorrow to spare, I've got loneliness too
I've got blood on these hands that hold on to the truth
That I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God"

Fool With A Fancy Guitar* 

"Now we're counting stars and counting sand
Little feet and little hands
We're counting joys
We pray you'll know them
As you knew us when you wove us
As you hold us
Hold them, please hold them"

God of My Fathers

So if anyone is looking for some new music, check out Andrew Peterson.  His latest cd, Counting Stars, is a good place to start!

* anyone spot the Lewis reference in this song?

Midweek Randoms

We had a busy week and weekend last week.  But this week is already proving to be much calmer--thank goodness!  So here's whats been going on lately (complete with random Jack pictures thrown in):

* I took my French test on Saturday...so glad to have that over!  I hope I passed.  It wasn't that hard, but I am not too great with pronouns in French.

 

* We have had a lot of CA responsibilities, and have a lot more coming up.  We just had a Valentines Day tea (which I made 70 cookies for!), and next week we have Mardi Gras and a Black History event.

* Buddy boy had some off nights last week.  All of a sudden he was waking up twice a night, crying and wanting to eat.  But thankfully he is back to sleeping through the night again!

love this little thinking face!

* I have had an exciting week as far as possible plans for next year.  Everything is still just in the beginning phase, so I will share when things are for sure!

sweet yawns

* We hosted the Classics club dinner Friday night.  There was lots of yummy food and fun conversation.

* My mom and little sister are coming here in 3 weeks and a day (and my dad and brother will come a few days after that)...CAN NOT WAIT!  I do hope that it snows for them (my brother is going skiing).

Jack playing with his Valentine's happy from Bella

* But that means that I am presenting a paper SOON...ahhh!  I need to revamp it!

This weekend we plan on taking it slow!

And, finally, our Valentine's Day meal.  I made panko crusted goat chese, baked fries, and chicken sandwiches.  Obviously, I am not very good at frying chicken.  Oh well, I just tried to pan fry it in the slightest bit of oil, so I think that was my problem!  

And the final touch...Nando's sauce!  Nando's is a South African chain that Bech and I love.  They had a location in Malawi.  And there is a grocery store here in Burlington that sells their sauces. 

My Valentine!

Our funny valentine...

"Now we're counting stars and counting sandLittle feet and little handsWe're counting joysWe pray you'll know themAs you knew us when you wove usAs you hold usHold them, please hold them."

Working Mom

Today Kelly at Kelly's Korner is hosting a link up to working moms.  I thought I would join in.

So if you are coming to this site via Kelly's Korner, here's a little bit about me:

I am a graduate student in Classics (Latin and Greek) at the University of Vermont.  I also work 14 hours a week at the UVM library and teach two homeschool Latin classes.  Bech (my husband) and I are CA's (like RA's but for graduate housing).  So I am really busy!

Right now I am working because I kind of have to.  I mean, I have to go to class, so we would need to use daycare for that.  And since I can't pay by the hour, I work on the days he's in daycare.   I am able to get homework done at the library which is good.  The great thing is that I will finish my masters this semester with no student debt (I have a fellowship that pays my tuition and gives me a stipend that covers our rent!).

Part of me would love to be a stay at home at some point in the future.  But I actually really enjoy working.  I would like to earn my PhD and be a professor, so I will most likely (except for maternity leaves and sabbaticals) always be working.  But the great thing about having a teacher or professor's schedule (or graduate student schedule!) is that I will always have Christmas break, spring break, and a nice long summer break!

Sweet boy

Tuesday's are crazy days around here!  I teach two Latin classes in the morning (while Bech stays with Jack), come home at 11, nurse Jack right away, and work on homework.  Then I head into school on the 1:40 bus for an afternoon class.  Bech and I then swap off so he can teach his ceramic class and I spend the rest of the afternoon/early evening with Jack.

This Tuesday, I didn't have much homework, so I got to spend some time playing with Jack.  Jack has started to actually play with us, which is so fun.  He's been a little fussy the past couple of days (teething, maybe?), but Tuesday afternoon he was all laughs!

Love that sweet smile!

He is very serious about his toys.  I think he has Bech's personality.

Also, isn't his outfit so cute?  My mom got him the cutest smocked outfits for Christmas.  I love penguins, so I especially love this outfit!

Everything goes in the mouth...

He will lean far over for toys, but doesn't really want to make any effort to crawl.

more mouth...

Seriously, sweetest baby ever (well at least to me!).  He has a nice bump on his forehead from hitting the side table the other day at the Super Bowl party.

I am thankful for afternoons spent playing with Jack!