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I've been obsessing over Bret's birthday party lately. My biggest dilemma is what kind of food to serve that will satisfy both adults and kids. Any suggestions?

The dreaded bridesmaid diet

Well, I was totally dreading this but I have to start getting serious about my exercise plan and sticking to a nutritious diet. Jason's brother is getting married in March and I'm in the wedding. This is the bridesmaid dress. Gorgeous, huh?! Exactly. Which means that I have to look as good as that dress. The area that I need to target is my arms. They're not fat, just flabby. I have to admit that I haven't lifted weights since Bret has been born. That's my mistake. Now I have a bit of work to do in order for my arms not to flap in the wind.

How do you stay fit during winter months???

I'll let you know how I'm doing.....

Friends

Last week Bret and I visited Alanna and G for a few hours. It was super nice out so we took a walk and Alanna got to listen to Bret's temper!! LOL - he wasn't too bad, just sick of sitting in a car seat and then in a stroller. We had a lot of fun. G is so big and he can sit up on his own!! Such a big boy!! This was my favorite picture with the two boys - even though G wouldn't sit still!!! Watch out Alanna, he is ready to move!!!

Belated - Happy 10th months / fall plans

Sorry, Bret - Happy 10 months old!! I've been trying to find our stupid camera since Labor Day. We did the Mackinac Bridge walk and it was awesome! The weather was perfect and the walk went really quickly (kind of to my disappointment). I wanted to walk longer!! Bret did really well, he slept about 3/4 of the way across.

Um, updates:

No new stuff to say about Bret. I'm starting to think about his birthday party (YAY!!!). I can't wait!!! I'm also obsessed with cider mills and getting Bret to see animals and hay rides this fall. Maybe everyone in the Detroit area should go together!!! I think the cider mills north of Detroit are much better than the ones in OH. Blake's anyone?! Let me know which weekends you have available and let's get together!!! Even if you don't have kids, you're welcome to have fun with us!

I'll post again when I can find the stinkin' camera.

Awesome day!

Bret and a polar bear having a stare-down :)

Bret and daddy looking at ducks!

Quack, quack

Bret wanting to touch a Sloth bear...Grrrrr

After moaning and groaning all summer that we don't do anything as a family, we went to the zoo. It was a beautiful day; perfect to be outside.

Bret LOVED it - he kept looking around and pointing at things (indiscriminately) and screaming at times! We went on the safari train ride and he couldn't turn his head fast enough!! LOL

We walked around for a couple of hours until it was past Bret's nap time and then we headed home. I don't know who had more fun, Bret or Jason!! I've learned that the zoo is one place that may never get old no matter how many times you go because you see something new every time.

It was fun and I can't wait to go again!!

Say goodnight to the bad guy

Why does it sometimes seem like things backfire even when you have good intentions?

Jason has a 22 year old cousin who is pregnant with her second kid. Let's call her See, for the sake of this story. See's unmarried, living at home and can barely make ends meet. When See's SIL told me that she was preggers *again* she also told me some other things that weren't the best of news, including not taking a prenatal vitamin. I saw See last week and asked her why she wasn't taking a vitamin and she said that they upset her stomach. That's fair - I'm sure that has happened to a ton of people. But wouldn't common sense tell you that you should try another vitamin? Or at least attempt to find one that doesn't upset your stomach? Nope. I saw her tonight and asked her again about the vitamin and she said 'no'. She's about 18 weeks preggers and doesn't take a vitamin. Yes, I know 100 years ago prenatal vitamins didn't exist and babies were born just fine (some, anyway). However, we live in 2008. It is expected to take a damn vitamin. So, being the critical big mouth that I am, I told her to quit being selfish and take a vitamin. Now Jason is mad at me for saying something.

Yes, I'm critical. I internally criticize a lot, partially because I'm so critical of myself. It's a therapy issue, I know. I give dirty looks to people to smoke with kids in the car and I throw daggers at parents who give a 2 year old soda. So sue me. I don't feel guilty for saying something to See. The consequences (good and bad) of her choices will be forced upon this baby. Just because she's young and ignorant doesn't mean the baby should suffer. That's just my opinion.

9 month check up & sneak peek pics

Bret had his 9 month wellness appointment today. His stats have leveled off a bit. He weighs 19 lbs 7 oz and 27-1/2" long - 50th percentile for both. The DR said that it's not surprising since he started crawling. She said that she worries only when kids drop below the chart (and stay there). If she's not worried, then I guess I'm not either.

I asked her questions about finger foods since Bret seems to be pretty bored with pureed stuff. Since he technically only has two teeth (his tops haven't come all the way through yet), he really can't chew anything like cut up fruit, cooked veggies, etc - plus the puke factor. His DR said it's ok to give him Nutrigrain bars and stuff like that. Basically anything soft that he can mush up in his mouth. He's gained 2 lbs since his last appointment so I know he's not starving! LOL :)

Tara posted pics of Bret on her blog today so I want to share them with you, too!! I can't wait to see them all. These pics total capture Bret's personality - shy, inquisitive, determined and loving. Enjoy!