Why blog?

I get that question a lot. Why? Why do I spend my time doing it? What do I get out of it?

Well, I blog for many reasons. So, I decided to blog about that. ;)

Main reason I blog... for me. It's journaling. I write about everything that is happening in my life. Minus personal things. Personal matters stay personal. I don't blog to find followers. I blog for family and friends. I have met friends along the way through some of my mommy sites. I love reading other blogs and seeing what other moms are doing.  It's been great connecting through blogs. But, I'm not interested in followers that only follow me for something I can give them. I read something on one of my blogging sites awhile back (For the Love of Blogs), saying, if you follow someone don't say, "I'm a new follower, please follow back." You should be following because you are interseted in what they have to say, and are going to follow regardless if they follow you. Having them come back to check out your blog is their choice.

I'm journaling my journey of life, family, friendship, and now motherhood. I've been blogging since 2009, and I've met some cool people along the way. I love getting emails and facebook messages from friends I went to high school with (that I haven't even seen since 1998), or people that send me messages saying they love my blog and reading about what is going on with my life. I have been planning on turning my blog into a book after Jake's first year. Use it as a baby book (along with my scrapbook of photos). Instead of turning Grant's and my first year of marriage into a book (which is what I initially wanted to do), turn this into something cool for Jake and his family.

I blog for family and friends that live out of California and want to see what we are up to. My parents LOVE looking at pictures of where we are going or actually if I'm blogging about it ... it's where we went. ;) I have family and friends that also blog. The majority of them live in other states and I don't have the opportunity to see them often. So, it's nice to see what they are up to, and to look at the pictures they post.

I want to thank everyone that reads, comments, shares stories with me, and for those followers that really care what my little family is up to.

Here are some pictures of my travels out and about today. With my blog, I can post these pictures and reflect back to the day my son and I went on long walks, picnics, beach days, or just stopped to smell the flowers. Life is short. Enjoy each day as if it's your last. I know I sure do.

Thank you for reading about this little thing called life... Stone style. :)

This is a face that sleeps all night in his crib! Happy boy!

On my morning with walk with Brady and Jake.
(This is down the street from my house)

A park down the street from my house (in other direction) I failed to notice because I haven't stopped and really looked around.
I'm planning a picinic next week here with my mommy friends and their babies.

I also took the time to smell the flowers. My favorite... Jasmine.

I love watching Jake take in the world around him. Truly amazing.

This kid makes my heart beat.

L.O.V.E.

Love and cheers,

8 months old.

Jake is 8 months old! Can you believe it? Time is just flying by! I'm loving every minute of this journey!

Here is the latest with Jake Bowman:

* Still wearing size 4 diapers (since 5 months old I believe).

* Wearing 18-24 size clothes.

* Happy baby!

* He's standing!

* Crawling all over the place. I can't keep him in one room.

* Saying mama, dada, and baba (for Brady).

* Absolutely LOVES the animals. No matter what mood he's in... he'll light up with the animals are near him.

* Loves wearing his sunglasses.

* Teething... but, no teeth yet!

* AND THIS BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT ... READY PEOPLE... WELL, ARE YOU???

HE'S SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!! 
He goes to bed at 8pm and wakes up at 6:30am. 

Here is a video of my little man standing for the first time. I was folding his clothes, and when I looked up... He was standing! I grabbed my camera and got a little of it. This was when he was 7 1/2 months though. I was just so excited for this milestone. Or any milestone. I'm a proud mommy! I have more videos of him actually pulling himself up for the camera. But, this was his first one.  On another note... I didn't realize how annoying my voice is... so, for future videos... I'll be working on that!:)

Taking pictures of my little man with his "monthly number" on is almost impossible. But, I still managed to snap a few!

34 weeks - Balboa Island - Newport Beach, CA.

Jake and I just got back from Balboa Island. A fun little island in Newport Beach. I used to go as a little one... and now I can bring my little one. It is only 30 minutes down the coast from where I live.

I met Liz and Victoria at their house in Huntington Beach, and we drove down. What a beautiful day out! I love spring! It's not too hot and it's not too cold. It's perfect out! I put sunscreen all over Jake and we walked all over. We even took the fairy across the island. Had lunch walked around and then headed back for coffee.

Just a typical day in So Cal! I love where I live.

Babes and I on the fairy.

He wasn't really happy. He wanted to be out looking at the water.

Liz and I on the fairy. Babies in their strollers.

Sitting in a high chair for the first time. I Lysoled it, and scrubbed it down with wipes!

Lunchin

Cheers,

Sleep training part 1,678,768

HA! Sorry for the exaggeration... but, I swear this process as taken forever. It's still a work in progress. But, I do however have some good news on the sleep front (thank you for the people that text and email me asking how it's going).

I start Jake's bedtime routine at 6:30pm. Feed (food that I make), bathe, formula bottle with rice cereal, and then passed out bedtime around 7:30/8pm. Yes, formula bottle. As I stated a few blogs ago with travel and Jake's lack of sleep I was going to introduce 1 formula bottle to him, after I try it out. I started mixing a little in with his rice cereal for breakfast (with fruit), and again with oatmeal for dinner (with a veggie and fruit). He didn't have any reaction, so when we were in Oklahoma I decided to give him a bottle one of the nights we went out for Vicki's birthday. I blogged about it before, but I wanted to update the status of formula and sleeping. So, let me jump to where we are now.

Breakdown:
6:30 - Veggie and fruit
6:45ish - Bath time with daddy. This is their time. I don't even mess with it. Grant has a whole system. It's daddy and baby bonding time.
7:10ish - Daddy gives Jake a bottle of formula with rice cereal. They watch a mellow movie with soft music, noise maker in the background (set to rain), and daddy also reads to him.
7:30ish - Daddy comes downstairs and has a glass of wine with mommy.

Jake is currently waking up a few times. Around 11:30pm, and 2:30am. Both of those times we left him cry it out and it usually takes about 10 minutes.  Then he wakes up around 4am. I go in at 4am feed him, and lay him back down until 6:30/7am. If he's really going crazy at 2:30am I go in and feed him then.

So, I know this still isn't great... but, it's great to us! It's only going to get better, right?

It was a hard decision to start the formula, but it is keeping him fuller longer. I'm still breastfeeding all through out the day, but this last feeding Grant is in charge of. It also is giving me a little freedom. Since I'm a stay at home mom I'm with my little man all the time... seriously, we are inseparable. This gives me time to workout, go to dinner with friends, and even gives Grant daddy time (without me telling him how to do things). It is working great for my family. I'm glad I did it. I don't have any plans on more bottles. But for now... this works for us.

Well, I must go... my pinot is in hand and my husband just walked in from his basketball game!

Enjoy your night!

Easter at The Stone house

Who doesn't LOVE the holidays? I love EVERY holiday. Perhaps it's because the way I was raised. My mother and family in general always made such a big deal about them all. The Spellman's have the best food, perfect decorations, and a house full of loud outgoing people! Family is everything. Grant and I decided for this holiday to stay home. I was in Boise last month, and just last week we were in Oklahoma. It was nice to celebrate our anniversary on Friday night, and then be mellow at home on Sunday.

Jake had 2 Easter baskets this year. One from us, and another from my parents. Growing up we always ate Ham and Turkey... well Grant and I didn't really feel like that so we altered the menu to what we really like! We made filet mignon, roasted asparagus, mashed red potatoes, and a spinach salad with cranberries, and goat cheese. 

It was a nice relaxing evening. Just what we needed. Grant and I travel for family so often that it's nice to spend time home, just us.

Here are some pictures of my little Easter bunny! Hope you all had a Happy Easter!

My little bunny! 

Brady even participated with the bunny ears!

Cheers,

Mighty To Save

With Easter tomorrow, I wanted to post one of my favorite worship songs. Mighty to save. It's one of those songs I find myself singing through out the day.

Jesus conquered the grave!

Amen!

Happy Easter! God bless.

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Our anniversary was on Monday, April 18, but Grant and I were traveling. Since we didn't get home until late afternoon, we decided to order in dinner. We ordered from a restaurant we go to often. We opened a bottle of wine and just relaxed as a family. It was a perfect evening. Just relaxing with my boys. Grant told me that night that we were going to celebrate the upcoming Friday.

Yesterday, Jake and I went shopping for Easter presents and food. When I got home I started getting ready while Grant watched Jake. When I got downstairs, Grant had cheese, crackers, meats, and wine waiting. Michelle (or babysitter) arrived, she was briefed on Jake's schedule and we were about ready to leave. The first surprise happened. As I was getting ready to get into our SUV, Grant looked at me and said, "the limo is out front." I was totally surprised! Once the limo arrived... the second surprise was we were going to my favorite steak house. Mastro's Ocean Club, in Newport Beach. Third surprise... Lots of Vueve (yummy champagne)! :)

The week before I accidentally ruined my anniversary surprise. A box showed up and I opened it. The watch I've been talking about for months was here!! ;)

Our first year of marriage we got pregnant and had a baby! Wonder what the 2nd year will bring? Grant and I have really learned to rely on each other. Grant is my best friend and love of my life. I'm thankful for him and the family we are creating together.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband. Thank you for making our day special.

Love,