It's beginning to look a lot like....

The holiday season!! It has finally decided to look like winter outside of my door, which makes me really happy. I hated the slushy, gross, warm weather. I'm much happier with the cold, snowy weather. My Christmas lights are up, and my house looks like a little gingerbread house. I love it. Of course, Chris-ma-kah is in full swing here. Weston and I already got our present for the house... a new dryer... since I broke the other one.  That brings my breaking appliance count to three for the year (we have replaced the dishwasher, washer, and dryer this year). Weston has informed me that if I break the refrigerator, I will be keeping my cold things outside as we can not replace anything else in the house. :)

I also decided to get Weston his own present this year (we normally just buy something for the house) since he has been such a big help with me and the baby. I bought him a nice tool cabinet thing for his shed. I went out on Black Friday to Sears to pick it up because it was 50% off. I was so excited that I was actually able to get one!! Normally on deals like that, the person in front of me grabs the last one... I couldn't keep it a surprise though, as we had to go to the distribution center to pick it up.  So when I came home, I gave him the receipt and told him he had to go pick up his present... his favorite kind of gift... a chore!  HA!

Thanksgiving went well. We weren't able to go to my parent's house as my dad was sick and refused to let us come over. So we just spent the day with W's family. It was pretty nice. After we ate, Sawyer and I took a nap and everyone else played cards.

Sawyer has decided that he doesn't like going to bed at night. He naps just fine, but when you try to put him to bed at night, oh no.... he throws a huge fit. We've been working through that. I think I have found a solution (swaddling him tightly and a noise making bear that sounds like a womb apparently....) and last night he slept from 10:30-5! So, hopefully this will continue to work. Right now he is hanging out in his swing trying his best to stay awake. He is just sooo funny....

Alright, off to put the laundry in the dryer and grab something to eat while I have two free hands! It is amazing how much I have learned to do with only one hand.... again, I am amazed by moms. I'm also amazed that not everyone in the world is an only child... further proof having kids makes you crazy....

Happy Birthday Frito!

Today is Frito's 4th birthday!! Weston and I adopted him from the AK dog and puppy rescue back when I was in grad school. He has been a great addition to our family and he is pretty funny. Here is a summary of his life, in pictures...

The first day we brought him home... he has always been very attached to Weston. And I can't believe he was ever that small....

He has always been a "fat kid" and obsessed with food. The obsession started at an early age....

Like anyone, he had his awkward teenage years... (what is up with his fur?? It is super curly at this point in his life for some reason...)

But, he grew out of that and is now one of the most beautiful dogs I know! And, he has a sense of humor, as you can see in this well captured moment. :)

He is always looking for the most convenient place to spend time...

He now has a brother, Snickers, who he loves a lot...

And he is Weston's adventuring partner. 

Frito, I think you are an awesome dog and I hope that you are enjoying your dog life with us. I hope you and Weston continue to have fun adventures for many years. I will be home waiting for you both. :) 

In awe...

I am in awe of mothers who get things done. I feel like since Sawyer has been born I have been incredibly unproductive. I'm starting to get my act together... I normally can load the dishwasher and shower on top of taking care of him all day, which to me is a major accomplishment. I'm also trying to knit for an hour or so while he is sleeping... and maybe trying to clean my sewing room for a few mins each day. Either way, I am incredibly impressed with mothers who accomplish more than daily care of themselves and their children. Kudos to you!

I guess you will have to take my word for it that he is awake for parts of the day... but can you blame me for not getting things done?? I just sit and stare at him... he's pretty amazing. 

Another thing that I am loving (besides watching Sawyer do funny things) is my cloth diapering. It is awesome. I don't really know what it is I like so much about it, but it is just amazing. I love that I haven't had to go to the store for diapers for him, which is good because I hate going to the store, and it is saving us tons of $$! I would say I go through 10-12 diapers a day, more if he decides to pee right as I'm changing him, but it doesn't matter.... we have 24 diapers and just have to run the washer to get more.  I run the washer every night at dinner just so I don't have to worry about running out of diapers, but because you don't have to fold them or anything, it is the easiest laundry ever. And, I haven't had any problems with the diapers smelling at all. I have a bag that I keep them in by his changing table, then I just toss them in the washer when I'm ready to wash. Easy. And, he has the cutest little poufy bottom. Cloth diapers are a bit bulkier than disposables, but it hasn't been a problem so far. And, his diapers have cool covers (one has trees, and he has a bunch of different colored ones) instead of just being boring. 

In other non-baby news, I'm knitting a hat for a friend in Juneau. She wanted a sample to show how her yarn knitted up to display at her craft fairs and things... I'm hoping to have it done by the middle of next week so I can get it to her before Thanksgiving. It is a bit slow going, but I think I can do it. Here is the Rav link to the pattern. We also bought quite a few bags of Halloween candy yesterday at Target for 75% off. Oh, and we are trying to not go grocery shopping... so we are eating what we have... it has been a challenge. Breakfast is the hardest, because I am a cereal junkie and we have been out of cereal for almost two weeks. We ran out of milk and cheese too. But, I am still very successful with dinner! The other day we had chili, tonight we are having chicken and rice... I am looking forward to going grocery shopping though... I'm hoping that we can make it to the 15th and then stock back up on food. 

Alright, off to go entertain the baby. He is trying to decide if he wants to be awake or asleep... these are the big questions of life...