Holy Randomness, Batman!

Here's a picture of Nathanael walking with his walker. I gave it to him about a week and a half ago even though his birthday is still a little over a month away. I couldn't believe that he was already able to take a couple of steps with it! I guess that's because his older brother didn't walk until he was 14 months. The thing is really sturdy and I'm so glad you guys talked me into it when I asked for your opinion a while ago.
I've been cooking up a storm lately. I made 3 gluten-free zucchini lasangas in the past couple of days. One to practice, one for my friend Beth (who just had a baby), and one to freeze for my celiac cuz Tracey who's coming in a few weeks for Nathanael's birthday party. Big thanks to Ashley for the meal idea and Jen for coming over and helping me with the practice one. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not the best cook and if I'm gonna serve it to other people, I better practice first.

Which leads me to the fact that Nathanael has been a very picky eater lately. Lots of the things he used to LOVE like his formula, sweet potatoes, grapes, pears, squash, he's now totally poo - pooing (no pun intended...and not really a pun because there's no poo poo in his diaper of stuff he doesn't eat..ya follow me?). So, he's basically shoving spoonfulls of food away from his mouth with narrowed eyes quicker than you can say, "Cream of WHAT is all over my just-changed-shirt now?!"

It's gotten me so concerned that I went to Publix last night SANS COUPONS and spent about $30 on high quality ingredients to make split-pea soup. My Aunt Wendy made some of this when we were visiting my cuz Trace in Virginia Beach and Nathanael ate that stuff with a vengeance. So..I made some today and I'm happy to report that he is at least eating one thing that he liked again.

I also roasted a chicken today which turned out a lot like one of those fake rubber ones you buy at the magic shop. But, I can still use the carcass (with the rubber meat still attached because even my game-carving expert husband couldn't pry it off the bone with a cleaver) to make broth, so that's what I'm doing as I type.

To keep things simple and sweet for V-day I gave Josh these homemade coupons. I had lots of fun thinking about what coupons to make and had even more fun watching Josh flip through the book with a big grin on his face. Josh got me a Lisa Leonard necklace I've been wanting ever since my buddies Carly and Beth introduced me to her stuff. My necklace has three square charms bearing the names: Josh, Hunter, and Nathanael. So...I know it kinda seems over-the-top. A bounce house???? At first thought it's pretty outrageous to me, too. But consider this:

1. I got it on clearance for $160 at ToysRUs with tax return $ (and I was so pumped to find out that it got such great reviews on Amazon AND is being sold for more than DOUBLE what I paid for it.)
2. We're having a big birthday bash for Nathanael in March and this will be perfect for our shin-dig.
3. It is so stinkin' hot here in the summertime that you'd have to be an ice cube to be remotely comfortable playing outside. Plus, at our house the mosquitoes are so thick they can carry you away. Two choices loom with this situation: dish out $7 a kid and make the 25 minute drive to an indoor playground to get my squirmy boys some exercise or just blow this baby up in the living room in 60 SECONDS and let the kids bounce till they pass out!!!

Here's video of Nathanael making his way down the slide all by himself. He did this about 10 times and really loved it despite the fact that he's sick with a bad cold right now.

Here's video of a very tired Josh playing with Hunter despite the fact that he hadn't slept since two days ago. Josh worked Tuesday, Tuesday night (all night), and went straight to work today without even coming home from his night shift. And he still had the energy to play with his boys. He's the best and I'm so grateful my boys have him as their dad!