Baby its HOT outside.

I'm ready for fall. I'm ready for the cooler weather, football, apple cider, etc. I'm also ready to enjoy a cup of hot coffee without sweating to death. There are a lot of things I cant wait to do with Trenton in the cooler weather. My sweet boy is so hot natured that anything outdoors is not always fun for him. With the cooler weather, we will be able to go on more walks and runs. Hopefully he will enjoy it. The arrival of fall also indicates that Christmas is around the corner. This Christmas will be the first Christmas I have spent with my family in three years and the first Christmas I have spent with my sister since 2005- needless to say I am excited to have ALL the kids together!

Lately, I've been thinking about traditions I want to start in our family. I want Trenton to think back on his life and remember traditions we shared. More importantly, I want to create memories that bond our family together. Memories and traditions that Trenton can pass on to his family one day.

One of my favorite memories of my childhood was not a friday night (unhealthy) pizza night, but rather a friday night with homemade popcorn and sliced apples with a rented movie. I loved that tradition.

What are some of your traditions?

Trenton update: He's discovered the joys of tipping over the dog water bowl. sweet.

SAHM.

For the last week and the next few weeks I am a stay at home mom (SAHM) while I transition jobs. I have to say that I have treasured every single second. I've missed so many of Trenton's daily milestones when I am gone from him 40+ hours a week. I've loved spending quality time with him. Last week, we were both lucky because Jeremy took a vacation week too. We did not do anything extraordinary but simply spent time together as a little family. Our adventures included trips to Williamsburg to visit the winery, cheese chop, and yankee candle outlet. I treasure these times together as we are building memories as a family. I am so grateful for the husband and child God has blessed and entrusted me with.

Trenton update: Trenton is really learning to use his words. He says, "mama" when I go pick him up in the morning. So I know its more than just babbling but he is actually making connections between words and people. He's such a big boy!

Jeremy's Birthday

Jeremy's birthday was on Tuesday. He told me and his friends to not make a big deal out of his birthday. Note: Never tell someone to NOT make a big deal of your birthday, or something like this could happen: (click HERE).

We love you Jeremy!

Crawling and what-not

Trenton is crawling. Not far, but he's moving around. This weekend we will be scrambling to plug outlets and install baby gates. I can't believe how much Trenton has grown. He's such a joy and his smile really lights up the room.

Because Trenton was a preemie (and for peace of mind) he sleeps on a monitor at night. Similar to the Angel Care monitor but better in my opinion, the Nanny Breath Monitor monitors breathing and movement throughout the night. It helps reduce the risk of SIDS and helps moms sleep with the peace of mind their kiddo is relaxing comfortably. There is nothing scarier than breaking out into a cold sweat when your child has slept longer than planned. As such, the monitor has really helped me relax and not be oober paranoid. Recently, Trenton has been moving around in his crib a lot at night. I'm not sure how he does it but he will end up completely on the opposite end of the bed. Well, as a result, Friday night Trenton rolled OFF his sensor mat and the alarm that sounds like an air-raid siren went off. Jeremy and I sprinted to his room (along with Leo) to check on our boy. I don't even think it woke up Trenton because when we picked him up he was pretty much out of it and just sleepily stared at us as if to say, "What the crap guys." I think I pulled a calf muscle hurdling the dog. We limped back into our room (Trenton went right back to sleep) and we noticed Pandy was still passed out on the bed. Way to be a team-player Pandy. lol.

Just another night in the Waters' Household. :)

Coupons

Anyone out there a coupon-junkie? I'm trying my best to be good at it. Coupons allow me to save on average $30-$50 per grocery trip. I think that is pretty good right? Any tips out there? I need to be a frugal mama!!!

Here are some of my favorite frugal mama websites and blogs (click on the title for link access):

Money Saving Mom

The Krazy Coupon Lady

Frugal Mom

Any thing else you can suggest?

Trenton Update: He is successfully scooting around so much that he has knocked over the dog water bowl TWICE- and then stairs at the water rushing over him and laughs. Cute, but messy. Mobility here we go!

Praying for your child.

I love being a mom. Even at times of complete exhaustion and frustration, I love being a mom. There is no way I could have been prepared for the intense love I would have for my child. Its unconditional, indescribable and sometimes it takes my breath away. I pray over my child every night. Each night my prayer is different, but there is one thing that remains the same. Each night I pray that Trenton grows up to be a man of good, strong character; a man who serves the Lord and serves others. I don't know why I feel compelled to pray that. My only guess is that the Lord has amazing plans for Trenton. As his mom, I will do my imperfect best to raise Trenton to be a man of strong character, who loves the Lord and serves others. I pray he has a good heart sensitive to the needs and feelings of other people. I also pray for his wife, that she too is a person with good character who loves the Lord. These are the prayers of the deepest places in my heart- these prayers move me so much that sometimes I find myself crying. I so want for my child to have a good life.

This love that I speak of brings me to another situation that has weighed heavily on my heart this week and that is the case of little Caylee Anthony. How heartbroken I was to hear of the not-guilty verdict. I do know in this country, you are innocent until proven guilty but I just DO NOT understand how someone who had such a strong indifference to her child was not guilty. Something happening to Trenton is my worst nightmare, I can't even allow my mind to go as far as to think about that. As such, I do not understand Casey's behavior and Mom to Mom, I judge her for that. With all the circumstantial evidence, one thing is clear to me: Her actions during those 31 days were not that of a mother in grief. I wouldn't even be able to get out of bed much less go party. I know that God is the ultimate judge. I pray that if Casey did kill her daughter, that she is haunted by that fact everyday and repents to her Maker. Sadly, I'm afraid she won't do this. I'm still at a loss of words regarding this situation. But it does make me hug my guy a little tighter at night lately....

Trenton,

"Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I'd give my life for you. This is the miracle of life (and the love of a mother)"

I promise to pray for you every day, I promise to always be here to give you giant hugs and kisses. I promise to play with you and break away from my busy schedule to make you a priority. You are the light of my life.

I love you,
Mommy

Lately...

I need to start getting better at blogging. I realize I'm missing major things in Trenton's life. Luckily my mom is good at blogging on Trenton's daily activities. So lately, here is what has happend:

I've been offered a new job teacher at my alma mater. Woot Woot!

Trenton is scooting and just about to crawl

Trenton says mama

Trenton waves "bye bye" and even says "b, b, b" when he is doing it. So cute!

He is loving his table foods and has become quite skilled at feeding himself.

AND, we fall more in love with him everyday. He is just the light of our lives!