A New Post

So I've gotten a few requests for an update on this here blog. Most days I'm not quite sure what to write about. Today is one of those days. Austin has one heck of a cold so we've been camping out inside all day just praying he gets better soon so maybe I can sleep at night again. I stay up not because I have to, but because I worry about our little man. The cough he has right now sounds so ferocious you might think that there is a hungry lion living within my darling little boy. Every time he coughs I wince because I know it can't feel good, not with a sound like that. So I stay up not because he's coughing all night but because if he might start to cough I want to be sure I'm right there to comfort him and let him know it's okay.... so I'm tired, but that's not unusual.

The docs say I'm anemic with this pregnancy, mildly anemic, so I'm only allowed to speak mildly about it I guess. I'm only permitted to be slightly freezing while wearing several layers of clothing and take short naps because that's what mildly anemic individuals are supposed to do.. I guess. Not that I'm complaining, God knows I am thankful for not being entirely anemic, I can't imagine being any more freezing, tired or light headed on a day-to-day basis than I already am. Really, I am thankful for only being mildly anemic.

Austin has this new thing that he says and I'm really not quite sure where he gets it from, Chris cannot figure it out either. If there's something he doesn't want or just feels very strongly about something he now says in a very strong tone "Too bad!" Did they teach him this at school? Like rather than just using 'NO' our son now says "Too bad!" completely out of context. Is there a book they read him that had every other line is "too bad!"? I just hope he's not trying to say stupid, which is not a word used in our home. Dumb is the preferred word when referring to something not so smart or not really to our liking... Not too sure about this all folks... if any of you know clue me in. I know he likes saying it because it's every other sentence out of his mouth and I hate to correct him because really he does sound so sweet and it's so much better that the "na" and "no" we had been receiving from him.

So I was thinking about my New Year's resolutions and was wondering if I've actually stuck to any of them. Here's an update for you all, I think I'm doing alright.

1. Become more culturally active in my communities (i.e. Annapolis, D.C. and Baltimore)
Week one I took Austin into D.C. to the National Natural history museum.
Week two I was away in Maine so didn't really stick to it that week
Last week I went to a book reading/signing for The Middle Place with some girlfriends downtown here in Annapolis
This week I intend to see the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Corcoran gallery


2. Become more active physically
Ummmm... yeah no. I've only been on a few walks since the New Year. I was supposed to go to the gym we're joining today to get all signed up but with Austin being sick I canceled the appointment. I will get to this.

3. Read more books (and finish them), watch less TV
Okay so I've completely stuck to this one and really enjoying my evenings so much more now. I'm just such a slow reader, I now have a stack of books to get to... I'm hoping to finish this one book before February rolls around.

4. Get my business fully functioning before little Miss arrives
Doing very well with this although the process only seems to get longer. I should have my site ready to go live in a week, will have a big announcement once that happens.

5. Live greener - walk a little lighter on this earth
yes, taking care of this one as best I can right now. It just made me sad that it costs so much to really be as responsible as you can be. I think because Chris and I want this badly enough for our family, it will happen, it's just going to take some time and financial readjustments... sad that it comes down to $

6. Spend less money - have less stuff
Yes spending less money and still in the process of having less stuff. Dropped off 2 bags of old jackets to Goodwill yesterday. May the purge continue.

7. Get organized
As I said, let the purge continue

8. Print, Frame and Hang
Maybe next week?

9. Less junk food, more fresh food, no fast food
Okay, so here's one that I've done very well with. I still have a sweet tooth for a little candy here or there, but hey, I'm pregnant what can I say? More fresh food yes, enjoying lots more fruit, salads and only had fast food when we were traveling up to Maine, a very long drive with very few alternatives to fast food.

10. Write more letters
Yes! Have written many relatives I don't have the chance to speak with on the phone very often. I even mailed some pictures to a few of them.

Alright, so Austin is now not keeping anything down, but his fever dropped from 103.1 to 100 degrees, so maybe he just had to hurl the sick out of him. Well wish me luck tonight and wish my little boy well. He wants so bad to play with his friends and go to school. Poor little guy.

Hope you're all doing well and get a wonderful night's sleep tonight... do it for me.

First Day of School

Austin started school Thursday and absolutely loves it! Gave me a kiss on my way out the door and was on his way learning new things all afternoon. When I arrived to pick him up I was a little early, so I decided to wait in my car outside his classroom window, just to peak in and see how he was doing, you know inconspicuously. Well that worked for all of 10 seconds when he noticed my car outside. He made me feel so good, started jumping up and down saying "Ma-ma! Ma-ma!" So I went inside and he took my hand to show me all the things he had done that day, played with monies (the play cash register), read a story, made a hat (a sparkle filled crown with his name on it), I was so proud of our little man.

On the way home he couldn't stop telling me everything from snack time to circle time and singing. We were certainly hesitant to put him into school this early, but we're very glad we did and feel so good about this program. We are all so excited for Tuesday. Here are a few pictures just before we left for school. Chris was able to see him off as he took the day to work from home, felt a little under the weather that day. Seems I may have picked up on the bug he had, but really what else is new? I'm just thankful that Austin feels well.

Hope you enjoy the post. I wanted to thank all of you who sent us warm wishes during the holidays, it's always so great to get cards from friends and family you haven't heard from or seen in a while. Looks like everyone had a great 2007. Hope 2008 brings you even more blessings.

Love, Liz and the gang

Ha, ha, ha! Just stop it, it hurts!

This is what the computer had to say about Chris' blog. Fantastic! Really now, how do they come up with this?

Fast Payday Loans

What the computer thinks of my blog

Well now, doesn't this just make me feel smart. Good going computer! Not sure how you come up with this, but boy you've made me feel so intelligent ;o)

Fast Payday Loans

Resolutions

I read a friend's resolutions a couple days ago on her blog and just can't seem to stop thinking about my own now. I had only decided on a few, however she (like she always does) inspired me. So i decided to take on a few more. I debated whether to post these or not, but I haven't written them down and well to be honest there sort of just floating around in my head at the moment and nothing has really stuck. So this is an attempt for me to get things to stick, to work. I find that each year I spend so much time worrying about whether I'll keep to my resolutions, when all it comes down to is this. All my resolutions are activities, changes in my lifestyle or commitments that make ME feel good about myself, so why should I not stick to them? Really it's a no brainer, but I think most of you can probably agree that changing our routines is not always fun, even if it is easy, sometimes it just feels good to not have to process a thought in a different way. Alright now I'm babbling, bit it's really something that's sat heavy on my mind since Christmas.

Here's the list.

1. Become more culturally active in my communities (i.e. Annapolis, D.C. and Baltimore)
I want to see more and broaden my scope of knowledge and what better way to do that than to really embrace the incredible part of the country that we now live in? To add to that thought, I know I can benefit my children by taking Austin to museums, art exhibits, book signings/readings, festivals, concerts and shows even. And I must say that we do all of these things with him now, just not to the extent that I am satisfied with. So my goal is one a week at the very least.

2. Become more active physically
This is one of those no brainer yet easy as pie ones for me. I LOVE WORKING OUT! I love the way it makes me feel, I love the results and I love being able to steal away and relax whether it's walking with my iPod going or taking a relaxing Yoga class. I sleep better, I crave healthier foods and I am a happier person overall because of it. So why don't I do it every day? I don't someone answer that one for me please. We're joining a gym that has an activity area for children. I think it's important we become more active as I don't want our kids being little home bodies, I want them to kick and scream at the end of the day when we have to go inside.... active kids you know?

3. Read more books (and finish them), watch less TV
Cutting back on television is not a difficult thing for me especially since all the writers are on strike. I do enjoy watching a few movies with Chris every week, but I think we choose movies that are good, and by that I don't mean like they make you laugh, I mean that they are movies that we can watch together and comment on the cinematography techniques, direction, story structure, character relationships and overall artistic attributes, not just the ones that are as my brother puts it "fun rides." But what kills me is that I can never get into reading full time. It's either all or nothing for me, like last night for example. My sister-in-law Melissa gave me two books for Christmas (thanks so much by the way) and I picked up the lighter read of the two Eat, Love, Pray and could not put it down. So I was up until 2 a.m. reading. But get this, I couldn't even finish reading Tuesdays with Morrie the entire time we spent in Memphis. I am a slow reader and unless every page makes me turn to the next I guess I just can't find it in myself to finish it. Morrie did that though and I just didn't get the chance to finish it. I do well with short stories. Suggestions welcome please. A.M. Homes rocks my world, I like David Sedaris and pretty much anything my bro sends me.

4. Get my business fully functioning before little Miss arrives
This is probably the most difficult one for me to achieve, for several reasons, one being that it's something I have to do alone and one that I am doing for no one else but myself. I'm not always good at doing things for myself and have actually been tempted to empty my business checking account on buying things for others. I know in the long run that my family will benefit from this, a working Liz is a happy Liz, but my biggest challenge is allowing myself the time to get all my business ducks in a row without feeling guilty that I haven't taken my eyes off the computer for a couple hours. I think now that the little man has school during the week this will allow me to get over that and get work done while he's out of the house. Oh and I also want to redesign my workspace, it just isn't working right now.

5. Live greener - walk a little lighter on this earth
We've done a good job with this one already, but there's so much more to do! And yes, I feel great knowing that we use less energy, that our cars have low CO2 emissions, that we reuse and recycle. I would like to support our local farmers more (yes as you discussed Laura) take mass transit or walk whenever possible, make the house more environmentally friendly and support our local businesses more and the big "marts" less.


6. Spend less money - have less stuff
I don't think this one needs a lengthily explanation. Less is more and that's another thing that makes me feel good and is easy to do. I get a thrill out of not spending anything for several days on end. this may be a challenge though with all the activities I plan on us taking part in :o) So I guess it's better if I say, spend less money on material items.

7. Get organized
Again, less is more. We live in a small house and have way too much stuff that we do not need.


8. Print, Frame and Hang
My artwork, that means I need to photograph more than my adorable kid and other adorable kids, and yes that makes me feel great.

9. Less junk food, more fresh food, no fast food
We did it last year for about 8 months, then lost site and 'got too busy' to bother on focusing in on it anymore. Another easy one, lets just stick to it this time. The greatest thing is that Austin actually prefers fruit over chips and broccoli over french fries.

10. Write more letters


That's it!!! Wish me luck, can't wait to hear your feedback.

Love, Liz

Happy New Year Everyone!

The Saucier Clan

Austin, Josh & Sam

Decorating with candy is so Yummy!

With a little help from his big cousins!

Santa may have over done it this year...

Stockings hung with care, even Hannah got one this year.

Austin's reaction when he first saw all the presents.

Opening one from Santa

Going for a cruise on his new Scooter

The Birthday girl

The yum-a-licious cake

The spread

We made it back from the south just fine. Our Christmas in Memphis was just incredible thanks to my in-laws, Dana and Gloria, they truly know how to make their company feel comfortable and right at home. I was so thankful for Gloria's wonderful cooking and for all the help they gave us with Austin. He really took to his Memere and Pepere this time around and cannot wait to see them again.

It was also such a treat to see all the nieces and nephews. It's amazing how quickly they grow and how well they all get along with one another. Austin just adores them and and was so pleased to get so much time playing with them all. There was never a dull moment for us.

I think that the pictures speak for themselves. Santa was extremely good to Austin, Anne and Rebecca when he visited Memere and Pepere's house (yes those are only the gifts for half of the grandkids as the other 3 stayed at Karen and Dave's place).

Austin's most candid reaction to a gift was when he opened his Leap Frog first computer, he let out a little shriek and made us all laugh. He sees Chris and I on our computers all the time, I guess it was about time he got his own. He's done very well with it and loves using the mouse. What lucky kids I tell you! And what lucky parents we are to have such great kids.

Besides having a blast playing with his cousins, grandparents and all his new toys, Austin really enjoyed decorating his (and mine or that matter) first Ginger Bread House. He really did a fantastic job with help from the pros Anne and Becca, I've never seen such a yummy and beautiful house before.

Our trip concluded with a Surprise Birthday Celebration for Gloria. Karen and Cathie did such a fantastic job pulling the whole thing together. It was a great success, guests all had a wonderful time and (my favorite) the cake was to-die-for! Happy Birthday Gloria, you are loved so much by so many and this was the least we could do to show our appreciation for all that you do for us year in and year out. We love you!

Well we hope that your New Year has gotten off to a fantastic start. We have so much to be thankful for this year and so much to look forward to. Enjoy the photos and hope to hear from all of you very soon.

All our love, Liz and the gang