Curiosity Kills the Cat

How do you punish a kid who is now responsible for his own motion, but can’t understand “No, No!?” It’s not a willful disobedience. It’s rather a continued naïveté. He continuously goes back to what we tell him “no, no” to. He keeps trying to pull the medal candle pumpkin tree on top of him, and it is with good reason that we tell him “no no”. He has pulled it over twice now and luckily escaped injury. It’s not willful disobedience, it’s more of a curiosity thing. How do we deal with that? Do we simply just keep redirecting him away from those harmful things?

Obviously, we don’t feel comfortable spanking an eight month old. He doesn’t have the intellect or capacity to understand what we are saying or why we are not allowing him to play with harmful things. At this point, he doesn’t have to necessarily understand why we are telling him “no, no”. However, he does need to learn that “no, no” means don’t do that and to choose to be obedient.

Or maybe mom should just baby proof the house.

But in all seriousness, I would love to hear feedback on how this was handled and taught in your household or any advice you may have to us as first time parents.

Bye, Bye, Car Debt

After exactly one year, we now own our 2008 Nissan Altima. On November 5th, 2008, we decided together that we would work our hardest to pay off our 3 year car loan in one year. And we did it!!

Oh how it feels good to cross out that debt! Now if only our student loans would magically disappear! :)

*Image from Car Gurus

Family Pictures- 8 Months

I love you through and through.

I love your top side.

I love your bottom side.

I love your inside

and outside.

I love your happy side,

your sad side,

your silly side,

your mad side.

I love your fingers

and toes,

your ears

and nose.

I love your hair and eyes,

your giggles

and cries.

I love you running

and walking,

silent

and talking.

I love you through and through…

yesterday, today, and tomorrow, too.

*Inspired by Bless Our Nest
*Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak

Trick-or-Treat Night

All the cousins before heading out to go trick-or-treating.

Say what?? I get to go too??

You were too little to collect candy, but we still gave you a bucket.

Cousins Jackson and Lilly loved trick-or-treating!

Checking everything out.

You and Mommy.


Everyone thought you were the cutest little stinker. You did so well with your first trick-or-treat night. Mommy and Daddy carried you around the neighborhood as your cousins ran door-to-door. You were quiet as could be and just took everything in as you watched your older cousins in their costumes. Everyone kept offering to give you candy in your bucket, but we thought we should wait till next year when you can actually enjoy the candy!

Paper Towel King

This is what happened when Mama tried to work on the budget while attempting to keep half an eye on Baby Boy playing in the office. He was only a few feet away so what trouble could he possibly get into???

Halloween Party '09

Last weekend, we had our big halloween party with our friends and all of their kids. A total of 16 adults, 9 kids, and 2 kids on the way makes for a big group and a lot of fun to be had! Everyone dressed up, snacks were munched, and best and worst costume awards were given. It was a blast!

Here is our little skunk. Ryan was Superman and I was a bag of Jelly Beans.

Legoman and Hippie

Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and Yoda (Orin's friend, Hazel)
They won the best costume award.

Turtle, Bee, Tigger, Chicken, and Princess Lilly

Egg and Sperm

Barney and Princess Izzo

Hick Cowgirl and Richard Simmons

The large group

Trick or Treat

I got a package, I got a package, I got a package, hey, hey, hey!!

It's from my Grandma and Grandpa K.!!

Look what I got!!

I'm so excited about my new books!!

I love Corduroy! And to chew on books!

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!! I love my new books!!