Saturday, July 25, 2009

Garage Sale

by Holly

We had our garage sale today. We have had a garage full of stuff leftover from home renovation and just stuff we realized we didn't need after we moved in, and it needed to go. Our two big ticket items were the stove and dishwasher we replaced, but we didn't have so much as a lowball offer on either one. So, they will be going on Craig's List for another attempt. We did sell quite a decent amount of 'gently used junk' and we are happy about that. It was a multi-family sale, with my mom and brother and sister-in-law all here helping with their fair share of items to unload on customers. My brother also set up a card table in the shade of our tree with his Herbalife products. I don't know that he sold any, but he had quite a few people show interest and listen to his sales pitch, and gave a few catalogs and business cards to the ones that really seemed to care.

Justin has been pessimistic from the get-go on the whole garage sale idea, which I have been trying to tune out and combat. I think garage sales have a fun quality to them, whether you are the seller or the buyer. Well, his attitude changed a bit this afternoon when he learned that we made about $425 and that $200 of that was ours. I think we did fairly well.

So, I'm tired and ready for a shower and a nap. Eli's been asleep for about an hour and a half, so I'd better get going if I wish to do either before he wakes!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Backyard Fun

by Holly

We have been enjoying having a covered back patio and the shade of the neighbors' trees, even though it is still very hot! Justin, Eli and I enjoyed a steak dinner complete with corn on the cob and grilled veggies on the patio one night last week. Eli didn't have to be instructed on how to eat corn on the cob- look at him go, and not a single kernel left!

A race to the finish! I think Daddy won, although Eli's ear of corn was smaller. Eli had to stop midway through for me to spray it with more butter! :)

Mama and Eli having a snack

Playing in the backyard in his diaper- I caught the 'tail end' of this new adventure!

Needing no help at all to go down the slide.






Thursday, July 16, 2009

Shhh... Don't tell my son!

by Holly

I took Eli to the doctor yesterday for a recheck on his ears. He has had 3 (both sides) ear infections in the last 3 months, with this one being the worst. Combined with the 3-4 we had last year, we have passed the max allowed by our pediatrician without having an ENT consult. Turns out the earliest appointment we could get with him is August 17th, but I was told to feel free to call anytime to see if there has been a cancellation. Thank you, I will.

Anyway, Eli was a good boy at the doctor, as he always is. I'll overlook him throwing the car keys at the doctor, because we had to wait a while and Eli's patience was thin and throwing is his knee-jerk reaction to being told no. I told him no, I would not open my lipstick for him to play with. I know, mean Mama. So, for being good, actually the nurse said, "For being so cute" Eli got a sucker. Not just any old sucker. It was the Safety Pop kind with the twisted loop handle, you know the kind like you used to get at your doctor's office when you were little. The memories flooded back! I didn't go to the doctor much, but when I did all the tears dissolved when I got to choose my flavor of Safety Pop! Eli's was Green Apple and it smelled so good!

Fast forward about 6 hours and I'm out running errands while my mom is home with Eli. I run quickly into the bank (I like the personal service as opposed to the little video screen with the person's face and the Jetson's-esque suction tube that takes your money who knows where but that's a different story.), take care of my business there and as I'm leaving the bank lobby what do I see in a beautiful crystal bowl? Safety Pops! I quickly snagged an Orange one and take it to the car thinking what a wonderful surprise it will be for my son to have two suckers in one day. I think that's fair as he is sick and I don't spoil him enough in my opinion. Well, a couple of errands later and that Safety Pop was looking pretty good. There's no sense in telling my son that he could have had two suckers in one day, but instead his Mama ate the second one and enjoyed all the memories it brought with it!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

7/7 Posting (a little late)

by Holly

So I forgot about my monthly postings of random pictures and its been a while. But here we go- the 7th picture in the 7th folder of pictures on our computer, because its July.

This is Eli at around 5-6 months and I love it! I made the bib as a joke at one of my baby showers b/c I don't like green beans and always had to eat them growing up. Ironically Eli threw a screaming fit while eating green beans while wearing the bib, even though he does and always has liked green beans. Just funny, and I made sure my parents had a copy of this one! :)


Thursday, July 09, 2009

My Ultimate Goal!

by Holly

I've done it! I have reached my ultimate weight loss goal with the guidance of Weight Watchers and the support of some very good friends and loving family. It has been a long road of 16 months from start to finish, but I'm so excited to finally be there! I will say that the last 5 lbs were the hardest, which seems funny, but your body adjusts to your new metabolism and bmi and levels off, so you have to work a little harder to push through to the end. Its so worth it though! Thank you to all of you who held me accountable, encouraged me, gave me much needed constructive criticism and celebrated each smaller goal and finally this ultimate one. Thank you!! I'm a much better me, with more energy to play with my son and take care of my family, and my self esteem allows me to buy clothes I never would have looked at before and to live life without wondering what people think of my appearance. What a blessing! The final result was a loss of 50 pounds on Weight Watchers and a total loss of 75 pounds from the time I had Eli to now. Here are some before and after pictures for you.

Before: Justin and me on the day we went into the hospital for induction- 12/20/07.

Before: Holly holding Rachel Lehmann, Teri Lehmann holding Eli- January 2008.

Before: Holly, Justin and Eli on Easter Sunday 2008.

After: Holly with Eli on Memorial Day 2009.

After: My mom and I on Mother's Day 2009.

After: Holly 4 days after officially meeting the goal! July 2009.






Wednesday, July 08, 2009

July 4th Festivities

by Holly
Our little Firecracker- His shirt says: 'Rockets are Red, Fireworks are Blue, 4th of July is Fun Cuz I'm with You!'

Mama and Eli in the pool. We had overcast skies and wind, so the water was a little chilly!

Eli with a popsicle and a sippy cup. What else could you need?

Jared with his first catfish of the evening. He ended up with 5 catfish and 2 perch.


Tyler with his first catfish of the day. His final score was 5 catfish and 1 perch.



Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Justin's Birthday

by Holly
Happy Birthday (one day late) to Justin!!! He's the big 3-0 this year!!! This is a picture of him with his birthday banana pudding, candles and all, from my mom. I took him to Ruby Tequila's on his real birthday yesterday to celebrate some more.

Justin's co-workers decorated his office, hallway and stairwells with 'Old Man' and 'Welcome to the 30 and over Club' posters, black balloons, confetti... the works. He loved every bit of it- thank you guys for celebrating him!

Love you Justin!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Holly's Birthday Weekend

by Holly

My good friend Erin flew to Lubbock for the weekend to help me celebrate in style! We had tons of laughs, some great wine, quality time together and even a little exercise as we walked to the gas station to buy a can of gas in our snappy casual outfits! No, the hairstyles and cute clothes did not hold up in the summertime heat, but we got it done, and were on to our next adventure- a Wii bowling challenge with Justin!

Two lovely ladies pre-adventure.

Erin in the storeroom of the Llano Estacado winery, during our tour.

Holly in front of the vineyard at the Llano winery, post-tour.

Having a sweet Eli laugh and hug before his nap on my real birthday, which was Sunday.



Thursday, July 02, 2009

Father's Day

by Holly
Eli's gift to Daddy and Pops was manual labor! They spent 11 hours on Saturday assembling Eli's new fort/swingset. It was worth it, or at least to Eli it was! Eli helped out as much as he could.

Look how big our boy is!

The finished product- 11pm. Pitch black, working with a shop light.


When Eli tired of the swingset assembly, he had a good time playing in the sand tub that was by then mud after a full night's rain.


Yep- all boy! On the face and everywhere!!!