65 in 365 - Update #2

Initially posted on February 10th - I'm updating today to show my progress...I'm pretty pleased with how well I've done, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things continue to go as I start back to work and get on a schedule. :)

I'm going to go ahead and mark the ones "Complete" that are regular ongoing things, because I'm keeping up with them now, and I'm having no problems. Plus, it makes me feel like I've gotten more accomplished. Ha-Ha!

1. Run two 5K's - One in Spring and one in Fall - In Progress: Spring 5K - Done
2. Walk in the neighborhood with Weston a minimum of four days a week (weather permitting) - DONE
3. Work-out on my own aside from walking in the neighborhood three days per week - 1/2 Done...It's harder than I think to make the time!
4. Get a babysitter (grandparents) and go out on a date with Grant at least once per month - In Progress: February - Check, March - Check, April - Check, May - Check, June - Check, July - Scheduled
5. Leave Weston with my parents for the night, so Grant and I can go away for our Anniversary - DONE
6. Clip coupons for Grocery Shopping - DONE
7. Maintain a $150-200 per Grocery Budget - DONE
8. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Baby Book - DONE
9. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Sticker Calendar - DONE
10. Join a Ladies Weekly Bible Study with Church - DONE
11. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Scrapbook - DONE
12. Make small photo books of Weston's Newborn Photos and give to the Grandparents - In Progress
13. Make weekly grocery shopping lists and stick to list! - DONE...I've been doing this and keeping up without any troubles.
14. Develop a Family Notebook to include a calendar and menus - In Progress
15. Make Weekly Menu and plan ahead -DONE...I've been doing this and keeping up without any troubles.
16. Keep Weston's Clothes organized and box in Storage boxes as he grows out of them - DONE...I've been doing this on a monthly basis.
17. Keep a cleaning schedule and follow through with schedule as designated - In Progress
18. Create a website for Weston to include information and photos to keep family updated on his progress - DONE
19. Host my parents and sister for dinner at least twice - In Progress: Scheduled One Dinner
20. Host my in-laws for dinner at least twice - In Progress: One Dinner completed (3/13)
21. Try out one new recipe each month - In Progress
22. Develop a budget and STICK to it! - DONE
23. Record all expenditures to keep on track with budget - DONE
24. Develop a daily schedule and stick to it with Weston - DONE...Continues daily, but working out great so far!
25. Start working with Weston on a few sign language signs to help us communicate better
26. Plan Weston's 1st Birthday Party at our House
27. Finish up and follow through with "The Love Dare" with Grant - In Progress
28. Read and sing to Weston every night before bed - In Progress
29. Start infant swim lessons with Weston this summer (Indoor Pool) - In Progress - Scheduled for July
30. Join Baby Music Class once a week and attend at least two-three times per month - DONE
31. Start Weston on "Your Baby Can Read" videos at 3 months - Decided not to use this due to "sight reading" rather than sounding out, so if we change our minds, we'll start this, but for now, we are holding off.
32. Breastfeed for an entire year or until no longer able due to unforeseen circumstances - In Progress - Going great so far!
33. Take photos of Weston at a minimum of once per week - DONE
34. Make time for myself...I want to do everything I can for Weston, but take care of myself, as well...get a manicure or pedicure, eyebrows waxed, take a long shower and fix my hair, wear make-up, etc. - DONE
35. Come up with a new Family Tradition for our little family
36. Join Weight Watchers after getting the "go-ahead" from my doctor at six weeks - DONE
37. Meet my Weight Watchers goal - In Progress, but I'm SO close
38. Spend more time in the word and in prayer with God - DONE
39. Resume an intimate relationship with Grant...I know that this has been one of my fears that having a child will change our intimate relationship; however, I realize that it will change regardless, and I just want to be sure that once we get the "okay" that we resume an intimate relationship and work on keeping it strong. - DONE - It's going great, and I couldn't be more happy with how it's working out!
40. Visit Grant's grandparents in Greenville at least twice this year - In Progress: 1st Visit on 3/14, but we will visit again over the Summer.
41. Visit my grandparent's in Buford at least twice this year - In Progress: 1st Visit in late February, but we will visit again over the summer...they live on Lake Lanier!
42. Take a trip to Memphis & Nashville with Grant in the Fall
43. Take Weston to his first Atlanta Braves Baseball Game - In Progress: Date Selected in September
44. Take Weston to his first UGA Football Game
45. Take Weston to his first UGA Baseball Game - FAIL...We were too busy this Spring, and we didn't get to go. Unfortunately, baseball is over until next year, so we'll miss the 365 window!
46. Start Banks on his Senior Hunter Tests to gain Senior Hunter Title - Attend at least one weekend of Hunt Tests before end date
47. Get photos taken of Weston at Newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year - In Progress: Newborn Photos completed!, 3 month photos completed!
48. Start and complete the 30 Day Shred - DONE...Now, I'm bored with it, and I need to find something else. Suggestions?
49. Keep up with Weston's Monthly Photos with Sticker Number Months - In Progress: Months 1-4 Complete
50. Read six adult books (not childrens books) - In Progress: 2/6
51. Buy a new bathing suit for myself - DONE
52. Take Weston to the Lake
52. Take Weston to the Beach for Family Vacation - In Progress: Scheduled for last week / weekend in June
53. Get Birth Announcements sent out for Weston by March 15th - DONE
54. Schedule Weston's Baptism - DONE
55. Send out Baptism Invitations - DONE
56. Host brunch at our house after Baptism- DONE
57. Buy all Christmas Presents by September - In Progress
58. Raise $1,000 for the "In Their Shoes" 13.1 mile walk - DONE
59. Visit our friends Abby & David Dreher in Columbia, SC
60. Plan Christmas Get-Together with Friends
61. Get Together with Mommy Friends and Babies at least 1X per Month - In Progress
62. Plan a Blog Friend Get Together over the Summer - In Progress
63. Finish my MBA - DONE
64. Finish Decorating my Dining Room - In Progress
65. Host Shower & Bachelorette Party for Weddings that I'm in on June 5th and June 19th - DONE

Dream Custom Artwork Giveaway

Many of you may remember all the great Canvas Artwork that I ordered and added to Weston's Nursery and Bathroom. I have also ordered a number of other great pieces of canvas artwork from Brandie. We have an "H" for our front door, the blessing and a Family Name sign in our house. You could say that we have a "Dream Custom Artwork" home. :)

I contacted Brandie a few weeks ago, and I asked if she would be interested in participating in a Giveaway, and she was happy to participate. I'm so thrilled, and she has TONS of great items and artwork for weddings, babies, teachers and more.

You can see the items that Brandie created for our house here:
- Weston's Nursery
- Mealtime Prayer
- Front Door Sign
- Weston's Bathroom, More of Weston's Bathroom

Brandie is offering one of my readers an 11x14 Customer Canvas!!

Go to Dream Custom Artwork and check out her items and leave me a comment telling me what you like best that she's created or what you would have her design for you if you won the giveaway.

For extra entries...
1 extra entry- Follow my blog or let me know you do
2 extra entries - Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs (Button on the Right) and let me know that you voted!
3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link
8 extra entries- Buy something from Dream Customer Artwork and let me know what you bought.

Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled!

This giveaway will end Friday, June 11th and the winner will be chosen with random.org. Check back on Monday for an opportunity to enter in another giveaway! :)

Radio Flyer Voyager Canopy Wagon

Everyone head on over to The Southern Belle Baby for your chance to win the Radio Flyer Voyager Canopy Wagon...all kids would LOVE to have this, I'm sure!

Appledonia Baby & Toddler Giveaway Winner

The winner for the Appledonia Baby & Toddler Giveaway for any item in the store in any size is

is #15 - Michele at The Story of Us!!

Congrats Michele!! Please send me an e-mail at rlh.harvey@gmail.com! :) If I don't hear from you within 48 hours, we'll select another winner.

The winner was chosen via Random.org

Check back this afternoon or tomorrow morning for another Giveaway!!

Appledonia Baby & Toddler Giveaway

As I was searching Etsy for clothes for the beach and photos for Weston, I came across Kerri's site, Appledonia, and I was immediately drawn to her really cute shirts and onesies! I especially loved the bulldozer and dump truck. I'm definitely going to be buying items from Kerri, and I think that the shirts would make great gifts, as well. I contacted Kerri to see if she was interested in participating in a giveaway, and she was more than happy to participate!

Lisa is offering one of my readers any item in her store in any size!

Available SHORT SLEEVE ONESIE sizes:
3-6 months
6-12 months

Available SHORT SLEEVE Cotton T-shirts:
2T (please specify if for a boy or girl)
4T (please specify if for a boy or girl)

Go to Kerri's Etsy site and check out her items and leave me a comment telling me which shirt or onesie you'd love to have or like best on her site.

For extra entries...

1 extra entry- Follow my blog or let me know you do
2 extra entries - Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs (Button on the Right) and let me know that you voted!
3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link
8 extra entries- Buy something from Appledonia and let me know what you bought.

Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled! And leave your email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner!

This giveaway will end Friday, June 4th and the winner will be chosen with random.org. Check back on Tuesday for an opportunity to enter in another giveaway! :) And you don't have to have kids to win this giveaway...you could always try to win for a friend or family member as a gift! This would make a perfect gift for a baby shower or even for a kid's birthday!

Seventy Two Stiches Giveaway Winner!

The winner for the Seventy Two Stitches Giveaway for the set of Three Apple Wedge Rattles is

is #3 - Amanda!!

Congrats Amanda!! Please send me an e-mail at rlh.harvey@gmail.com! :)

The winner was chosen via Random.org

Check back tomorrow for another Giveaway!!

Giveaway's Galore

Don't forget to enter my giveaway below...you have until Thursday, May 27th! I'll draw a winner on Friday, May 28th!

Also, head on over to The Undomestic Momma for your chance to enter the BB Blocks Giveaway! BB Blocks are a perfect way to document ages for photos of your kids or maternity photos. The blocks include weeks, months and years, as well as, number combination's from 1-29!

Seventy Two Stiches Giveaway

As I was searching Etsy for cute toys and items for Weston, I came across Lisa's site, Seventy Two Stitches, and I was immediately drawn to her Crocheted Creations! I'm definitely going to be buying items from Lisa, and I think that they'd make great Baby Shower gifts, as well. I contacted Lisa to see if she was interested in participating in a giveaway, and she was more than happy to participate!

Lisa is offering one of my readers the set of Three Apple Wedge Rattles pictured in the above photo!

These cute apple wedges are hand crocheted with 100% wool yarn. Made for babies hands.

This set includes three apple slices, one of each color. Scarlet Red, Mustard Yellow, and Leaf Green.

Apple wedges are 3 1/2 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. Each apple wedge is stuffed with polyfil.

Go to Lisa's Etsy site and check out her items and leave me a comment telling me which other cute crocheted creation you'd love to have or like best on her site.

For extra entries...

1 extra entry- Follow my blog or let me know you do
2 extra entries - Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs (Button on the Right) and let me know that you voted!
3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link
8 extra entries- Buy something from Seventy Two Stitches and let me know what you bought.

Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled! And leave your email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner!

This giveaway will end Thursday, May 27th and the winner will be chosen with random.org. Check back on Tuesday for an opportunity to enter in another giveaway! :) And you don't have to have kids to win this giveaway...you could always try to win for a friend or family member as a gift! This rattle set would make a perfect gift! :)

Granny Diane's Kreations Giveaway Winner!

The winner for the Granny Diane's Kreations Giveaway Winner for the Personalized Playtex Bowl & Plate Set is...

#35

Jenny at The Adventures of Two Under Two

Congrats Jenny!! Please send me an e-mail at rlh.harvey@gmail.com! :)

The winner was chosen via Random.org

Check back tomorrow for another Giveaway!!

1 Year Ago Today...well, really Tuesday

So, I totally spaced out and forgot to post on Tuesday, May 18th, but one year ago on May 18th, 2009, I was driving to Mississippi for work, and I just felt off...I was exhausted. I had to stop six times, once per hour, to just get out and walk around, because I couldn't keep my eyes opened. I was having this strange cramping sensation where I felt shooting pains, and I don't usually have cramps, and I was late. Being late for me, isn't unusual, because I don't have a regular cycle anyways, so I didn't think much of it.

Later that evening after this continually nagging feeling of something not being quite right, I went to the local Kroger, picked up a pregnancy test and immediately went back to my hotel room. I took the test right away, and I instantly saw the words PREGNANT on the test. I couldn't believe it. I was in complete shock, and I think I had a panic attack. I called my mom to ask her if pregnancy tests could be wrong, and I cried, because we had just gotten married only two weeks before, and I wasn't sure that I was quite ready for this. I think I ended up taking more than TEN tests, just to be sure it was right! :)

Ready or not...we began our journey of nurturing and preparing for Weston. Our lives forever changed in that instant, and we'll never be the same. God blessed us with this perfect gift who was four months old yesterday, and we are beyond grateful for our son. He is beautiful and perfect in our eyes. He is the light of our lives, and I can't get enough of his love. I love that he relies on me for his every need, and I can provide for him. I never knew or imagined the love that a parent has for a child. It's the greatest gift and the most rewarding job that I've ever had the pleasure of having. Though Weston wasn't planned, and we were newlyweds facing the surprise of our lives, I know that this is what God had planned for us, and now, I couldn't imagine our lives any other way. Only one word can describe it...PERFECT!

And as a side note...Don't forget to enter my giveaway below!! It ends TODAY!!