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Macaroni Kid is a website and weekly online newsletter highlighting family events and news around Sugar Land and the Houston area. The site will not only inform you and your family of upcoming events but also will feature contests, giveaways and product reviews. Moms - I know y'all are always trying to find things to entertain and exhaust your kiddos...so why not sign up and be in the know!

I just started this week and am already really enjoying it. Soooo...here's the shameless plug..

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Because it's hot

We've resorted to

backyard swinging,

shirtless afternoons,

dripping popsicles,

and sticky bare feet...

Because it's HOT!

The words of a 19 month old

Ok, it's hard to hear him in the beginning, but the sound gets better. Michel was talking too loud I think! 

Here are the words of a 19 month old...

Being a kid

Painting.

Lounging.

Laughing.

Being a kid is so much fun!

Lists are my fav

I love lists.
Here are some goals for myself I felt I needed to write down.


1. When Bible Study ends, make it to the gym 3x a week
2. Continue cutting way back on extra spending - holidays are approaching fast!
3. Keep asking God for guidance every day as I feel He's leading me more these days toward unknowns
4. Become more patient
5. Be a better listener
6. Try to plan out meals for the week before going grocery shopping
7. Don't judge a book by it's cover, ever!
8. Make time for playing with O every day, which usually do but I want it to continue
9. Work with my doctors to find a solution for my mental and physical health issues
10.Be comfortable with ME, just as I am!

I Noticed

Orien,

Today I noticed a bit more than other days. This morning I noticed how you have come to love going to the YMCA with me. You know the routine. I noticed how you strut in confidently and wave to everyone. I noticed how you didn't even say "bye" to me as you ran into Mrs. Ester's arms to play! I noticed how observant you are in the car. You want, no need, to know all things at all times. I noticed you got that from me ;)

I noticed how you are a homebody like your mom and dad, too. When we've been away or running errands, you rejoice every time we pull into the driveway. Today I noticed you are trying to say "home" and "Leah" as we approach our house. I noticed you have had more sweet moments with our puppy Leah lately. You still love rough-housing with her (you are a boy after all) but you really love snuggling with her when she's sleepy in the evenings. I noticed tonight that you walked up to Leah, kissed her, gently pat her and then squeezed yourself up against her body. How sweet!

Today I also noticed how you love to put many objects in one big basket, box, etc. And then take them all out again. I noticed this brings you so much happiness just doing this simple, cute activity. I notice you always watching me to see if I'm noticing :) For 10 minutes I stood in one isle in Hobby Lobby today picking out pumpkin this and pumpkin that decor. I noticed for the whole 10 minutes (that's long in toddler time!) that you didn't make a peep because you were loading fake pumpkins into a straggler basket you found. When you were all done, I noticed how confident and proud you were. Makes momma proud!

I noticed during our bedtime routine how much older you are. No more rocking, no more "shhh" and "turn off all the lights", no more swaddling and bedtime bottles. I noticed you're a true, talkin' toddler dude now. You carry on very long (and extremely entertaining) conversations with Daddy and I lately. Just before bedtime today you talked for 5 minutes. I'm not sure what your story was about but delivered it well :) I noticed you tell me when you want your paci's and "boo" and when you're ready to cuddle. I noticed you're in charge of bedtime now - not me! I love that we can work together more now. I noticed that you stop and listen to me more so that we can work together.

I noticed today how you're looking more and more like your handsome Dad. I noticed how much of your Dad you ARE. I noticed how you still need hugs and cuddles from me, but you're enjoying testing your new freedoms at this age. I noticed how you love to explore, climb, run, jump, kick, throw, roll and be crazy. But you still love to be sweet with your Mommy. I want you to know I will always be here to "notice" you and all you bring to our life. Whether it's playing football with Daddy or loading up pumpkins in a grocery basket...I'm here to notice. Always.

Love from me to you,

Momma

Sunday

This Sunday...

we went to church, napped, and watched football.

Then we made new friends and had a picnic

at our church fundraiser.

I'd say it was a good Sunday for the Boettchers.

Burst of Orange

Get ready for a burst of orange on your computer screen!!!

Change of plans

This weekend we had planned to go to BU homecoming in Waco. Instead, a virus decided to creep into our household and take over forcing us to stay home. We were bummed at first, but now I'm glad we're having a low-key weekend to rest and get better. I guess the traveling last weekend didn't allow me to heal properly, so now I'm off in a bit to go to my second doc appointment in less than two weeks. I still have the chills, aches, headaches, red throat and sore/stiff neck. I need to get rid of all this ASAP so I can be a mom, wife and just myself. 

Thank you to all of you how have sent encouraging words my way. It seems like just when I'm about to fold and give up, someone is there to lift me up. Friends and fam - thank you!!! It means so much to know I'm not alone. 

Love,

P

So Fall-ish

My cousin Courtney, who we saw in NC, is totally awesome at photography. She took these shots of O while he ran around at a park. My favorite is this first photo, which is SO fall-ish!

A year ago & an update

I love looking back every now and then to see what we were doing a year ago. This time last year we were embracing everything fall had to offer... Homecoming, pumpkins, football games and our 8 month old chubby-cheeked baby!

So life has been up and down lately! There is so much on my mind, not all bad though. Add fall colds in the mix and life gets even more hectic! I thank God for every little break and few moments of peace I get throughout the week. At the end of each day I feel like I have run a marathon. I'm not sure why we are going through this bumpy time, but with time we will see a reason! Something that Brett and I have always firmly believed in (and has proved to be 100% true!) is that there IS a reason for everything. Nothing is by chance. There's a bigger plan and I take comfort in that. 

The other day I posted on FB how Orien has been a fairly "easy" toddler lately. Now I'm eating those words big time. Oops. What we think is another phase of the all-to-familiar separation anxiety has arrived again at the Boettcher household. Orien had it pretty bad when he was younger. I couldn't put him down all day every day from when he was about 6-10 months old (just after I became a SAHM). Being with a sitter or at church childcare was rough on him. It affected his sleep (and ours). I've read a lot that this age is common to see this anxiety again. I'm sure he feels some of our stress as well lately. At nap and bed time he yells and screams. The poor guy can't catch his breath! We are into letting your little one cry it out when they're learning to fall asleep on their own, but we don't think it's okay for us to leave O to cry hysterically when he's genuinely freaked out. Sooo we've been rocking him to sleep. It's just a phase, it's just a phase...

Okay, I'm off to make my famous homemade guacamole :) Kidding, but it IS good and everyone loooves it. 

3-4 avocados

one diced tomato

5 or so dashes of salt

lots of lemon pepper!!! *this is the key!*

(onion is optional, too)

As you can tell I just kind of put whatever amounts I want to in each batch! It is YUM. Try it! We're having it with quesadillas tonight. Alright, until next post...

Love,

P

We visited our Maw Maw this weekend

And we're off...

My boy and I are off to Burlington, NC tomorrow to visit my Maw Maw (dad's mom). Orien has NEVER met her! AND...we're going to see all of my dad's side of the family. I seriously am so pumped! I'm sure I'll have loads of photos when we return. Enjoy your weekend blog readers and maybe sneak in a quick prayer for me...I'm a bit anxious about traveling that far alone with O while I'm under the weather. Orien is the bomb though. We'll make it :)

Guys are so awkward in photos together!

(They did a clay shooting tournament today for FBBA)