I didn’t have any actual, written out resolutions for 2011, but I have been attempting to be more positive. Because really, no one wants to hear complaints. And I’m definitely one who complains too much. I hate it. Therefore, looking on the bright side has been a mental goal. But I have to admit, this final day of January really test me. And I failed.

The story starts with a very busy 16 hour shift at work for Beau last night. When you are a meteorologist, snow and ice storms such as the one about to impact areas stretching from Texas and Oklahoma all the way up to New York City and Boston, make for an incredibly busy day night of work. In addition to forecasting a mega storm, it was snowing here in Minnesota during his commute home at 6am. So I’m sure Beau really enjoyed it when our Mitsubishi Mirage died in the middle of a three lane highway.

Ephram and I left the house at 6:45am to go get him. It wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to start the week. I hate being caught off guard. It’s probably the real reason I was interested in weather as a kid actually. I wanted to know if it was going to rain. I didn’t want to just wake up and be surprised. I hate surprises. So you can guess how happy I was to find out that I had to drive 25 minutes in the snow to get Beau.

I had a case of the grumps and I couldn’t see anything bright about this situation. But after the machanic called to let us know that for sure our car had reached its death, and as we headed back up to the towing company to sign over the car title to them, I started to think about the many years I’ve had with Mitsy (that was my car’s name, by the way… yes, i named my car… don’t look at me like that… ).

The bright side started to appear.

* She needed new wiper blades, but I had been putting it off. I’m so glad I didn’t end up spending the money on them to only have her die.
* I knew an oil change was in the near future. Again, so glad we didn’t waste money on that now.
* Mitsy was faithful to us the entire drive to and from Glacier National Park back in May of 2009. Much appreciated.
* She’s even seen a few tornadoes.
* It could have been much worse. Beau could have been calling to let me know he’d gone into ditch due to the slippery, snow-covered streets. Or another car could have hit him while he was waiting for the tow truck to come.
* She was turning pink, which was half cute, half annoying. She was old (well, sort of. she was 11). It was time.
*Miraculously, it was the beginning of a 2 day weekend for both Beau and I, which rarely happens, so that we could car shop!

So… we are now in the market for an extremely reasonably priced used car or small SUV! And quick. We have a trip to Florida planned next week, after all.

circa june 2009 – south dakota storm chase

Ephram turns eleven months old next week. So like normal parents, we’ve been anxiously awaiting that first word. And to think, just a year ago we were hoping for labor so we could meet the little monster in my belly.

My first word was ‘kitty cat’, which came out sounding more like ‘key cat’ according to my parents’ stories. For months now, Ephram has shown deep interest and excitement whenever one of our three, yes three, cats came strolling by. So it’s not incredibly surprising that E man’s first word would also be something similar to mine.

Over the past couple of weeks we have been mildly certain he was uttering his favorite animal by name whenever they showed up around the house, but today my suspicion increased to 100%. You can imagine my excitement. It comes out as ‘itty’ but its more clear than ever to me and Beau. He sees it and he says it. Since infant is derived from the Latin word infans, meaning “unable to speak”, does that mean we officially have a boy in the process of transforming from infant to toddler?!

Yes, that blur is one of our three cats. They aren’t too happy with his relatively new ability to crawl after them. And just for the record, I grew up in a two-cat-one-dog household, but kitty cat was still my first word. I was and always will be a cat person and I’m hoping the same is true about Ephram. Though he already shows quite a bit of interest in dogs as well. I suppose that’s ok, too.

I’ve lost Ephram. I’ve lost my son.

He was sitting in the living room, stacking cups one minute, and the next he was gone. If you happen to see him, please let him know that a very sad mama is now picking up all his toys and will consider giving them away if he doesn’t come back soon.

Though I suppose I’ll wait on the garage sale since I hear some giggles coming from over by the stairs.

*by the way, sort of cringing posting these pictures of the banister. I hate that dark wood. But it shows exactly why I am chomping at the bit to paint it white soon. And the extra, lighter beam of wood is only there because without it, it would be impossible to put a baby gate up. Thank you, wonderful architect from the 80′s who apparently never thought babies would live in this home.

1.This week’s grocery bill was more than expected. But our work schedules this week allow for Beau, Ephram and I to actually have family dinners together nearly every night. So I found several recipes for us to try out and it lead to a lengthy list of things we needed to stock up on. But I guess paying a bit more and making real, healthy meals compared our usual frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets will be worth it in the end.

2. Last night we made Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry in a Honey Ginger Sauce. And by we, I mean Beau. Someone had to Ephram occupied. Funny thing was that Beau thought he was going to hate it up until the second he tasted it and realized he loved it. Score! I found a recipe that was healthy, relatively easy (though I wasn’t the one cooking so I guess I really shouldn’t be the one to judge that), and everyone liked it! Or at least almost everyone. Ephram has developed something against carrots, and the asparagus apparently wasn’t similar enough to the canned version we give him occasionally. But he loved the chicken and rice!

3. A few other recipes we’re planning on making (and I really do plan on meaning we) this week include: Chicken Black Bean and Spinach Enchiladas and Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia.

4. I’ve caught the organization bug. I’ve been really focusing on making a ‘home’ for everything. Beau asks me where his belt, keys, and wallet are about a bazillion times each day? Though he shouldn’t get all the blame since I am often found scrambling around for my own keys, purse, phone as I’m about to head out the door. These need homes. And my goal for the rest of January is to create some pretty, yet functional little spots for these items. Inspired a bit by John and Sherry.

5. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I have yet to order my 10 Reasons I Love You book for Ephram. Even with the allure of Shutterfly’s discount on photo books, I have yet to finish one page, and therefore I can’t share it yet. One stinkin’ page left. But it’s coming, I promise.

6. If you were a Lost fanatic like I was am, you have to check out Live Long Locke. Erika posted weekly while Lost was airing with her witty analysis of each episode. I was late to the game when it came watching the show but quickly caught up by season 3 and fell in love. Then quickly fell in love with reading Erika’s posts each week as well. Now that the show is over, she’s decided to keep posting, which is making me a little giddy.

7. I think I need to have a little Lost marathon now. Who’s with me?

8. Tomorrow Ephram and I are meeting up with some of our good friends. Caleb, Freddy and Ephram haven’t been all together since long before Christmas. Which is basically comparable to 5 years in baby-time, I swear. No doubt there will be pictures taken.

9. Last Friday, we woke up to a temperature reading of -29 degrees Fahrenheit here. On Saturday, Beau booked us a trip to Florida. Just sayin.

10. I’m crazy excited about #9, just in case that wasn’t completely obvious.

These candles were not for Ephram (it can’t be March already), nor my mom (don’t ask me why she’s blowing them out). Instead, they were for my little sister, who in all honesty, is not that little anymore. She’s got 22 of these birthdays under her belt and added a 23rd today. So she was nice enough to share her candles with Ephram and show him what this whole birthday thing is all about.

Everyone knows, you need a little practice before your first birthday. Obviously, this was a good test run since he was much more fixated on staring those candles down and reaching out for them than blowing on them. But how is he supposed to know? He’s never celebrated a birthday before.

And of course, what’s a birthday celebration without some playing?

He’s all about pushing his cars and trucks and anything that resembles such an object, around the house. Is that just a boy thing, because it’s sure making me love having a little boy.

Thanks, Auntie Taryn, for sharing some wise birthday wisdom with your nephew. I think it’s obvious that he enjoyed it.