weekend update: basketball and sickies

As one of my goals to blog more consistently, I decided to do weekend updates.  Seems like an easy way to document our lives, right?  I had big dreams of busting out my nice camera and take great pics of all our fun...  Also, I tried to think of a better name than weekend update or review or whatever... so as to not feel like I'm copying lots of other bloggers.  But nothing came to me, so this is what you get. 

Sadly, the weekend I decide to start doing weekend updates here on the ol' bloggy blog turned out to be the most boring weekend ever.  Of course.  And you get two Instagram pics.  Sometimes that's how it goes.

Friday night, we went out to dinner with Micah's family for his brother's birthday.  I ate my weight in Olive Garden bread sticks and soup.  It had been a long week getting back in the swing of school and regular routines, so we headed home relatively early.

Unfortunately, we woke up at 1:30 to poor Lucy throwing up in her bed.  We changed sheets, pajamas, blankets and settled her back in to try and sleep.  It was a long night of up and down, with not a lot of sleep for any of us.  It's always so sad when my babies are sick.

Saturday morning, Micah and John Mark got up early to head to his first basketball game.  I was so sad to have to miss all the fun.  They got home a couple hours later with donuts and he was so excited about his game.  I can't wait for next week so I can see him play!

We spent the rest of the weekend laying around, cleaning up messes and doing a ridiculous amount of laundry.  Micah and JM did make it to church on Sunday, and I ventured out to Wal-Mart.  I'm telling you, exciting stuff.

Lucy is finally feeling better and I'm still praying that the rest of us stay away from the sickness.  So far, we're doing ok.  Hope your weekend was more exciting and puke-free than ours! 

the 2012 bookshelf

It was a decent year for reading around these parts.  My discovery of Kindle library books played a great role in that, since I could get books any time I wanted.  Anyway, here's the list of books I read this year.  I decided to color code them for you, in case you're wondering which ones you should tackle first: 

• Blue- excellent, get this book ASAP!
• Green- great book, read soon
• Red- save yourself the trouble 
• Black- I don't remember this book... that probably says enough, ha!

Garden Spells- Sarah Addison Allen
Savannah Blues (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #1)- Mary Kay Andrews
Savannah Breeze (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #2)- Mary Kay Andrews
Blue Christmas (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #3)- Mary Kay Andrews
Little Bitty Lies- Mary Kay Andrews
Hissy Fit- Mary Kay Andrews
Deep Dish- Mary Kay Andrews
The Fixer Upper- Mary Kay Andrews
Perfectly Dateless (Universally Misunderstood, #1)- Kristin Billerbeck
Perfectly Invisible (Universally Misunderstood, #2)- Kristin Billerbeck
Perfectly Ridiculous (Universally Misunderstood, #3)- Kristin Billerbeck
3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows- Ann Brashares
Sisterhood Everlasting (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, #5)- Ann Brashares
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls, #1)- Ally Carter
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls, #2)- Ally Carter
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls, #3)- Ally Carter
Only the Good Spy Young (Gallagher Girls, #4)- Ally Carter
Heist Society (Heist Society, #1)- Ally Carter
Crossed (Matched, #2)- Ally Condie
The Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller, #1)- Michael Connelly
Sharp Objects- Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn
A Summer Affair- Elin Hilderbrand
Forever (Firstborn, #5)- Karen Kingsbury
Sunrise (Sunrise, #1)- Karen Kingsbury
Summer (Sunrise, #2)- Karen Kingsbury
Someday (Sunrise, #3)- Karen Kingsbury
Sunset (Sunrise, #4)- Karen Kingsbury
Leaving (Bailey Flanigan, #1)- Karen Kingsbury
Learning (Bailey Flanigan #2)- Karen Kingsbury
Longing (Bailey Flanigan #3)- Karen Kingsbury
Loving (Bailey Flanigan #4)- Karen Kingsbury
Remember Me?- Sophie Kinsella
I've Got Your Number- Sophie Kinsella
Pretty in Plaid- Jen Lancaster
Letters From Home- Kristina McMorris
Before I Fall- Lauren Oliver
Delirium (Delirium, #1)- Lauren Oliver
Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)- Lauren Oliver
Divergent (Divergent, #1)- Veronica Roth
Insurgent (Divergent, #2)- Veronica Roth
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks- Rebecca Skloot
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency- Alexander McCall Smith
Tears of the Giraffe- Alexander McCall Smith
The Girls from Ames- Jeffrey Zaslow

Bible Study Books-
Unglued- Lysa Terkeurst
What's It Like to Be Married to Me?- Linda Dillow
Red Sea Rules- Robert Morgan
No Other Gods- Kelly Minter

As you can tell, I did a lot of reading in the Young Adult genre this year... most of these were fun, easy reads that didn't require much attention.  I have loved every book Kristin Billerbeck has written, but I just couldn't get into these.  I read several excellent reviews of the Henrietta Lacks book as well, but it just never clicked for me.  The Gillian Flynn books were definitely dark, twisted, and not my usual read.  But the stories and the writing totally pulled me in.  I wouldn't recommend those if you are prone to nightmares, at all.  If you haven't read the Divergent trilogy, you need to.  The same with Matched and Delirium... that is if you like Young Adult "sci-fi", as my husband likes to call them.

What did you read in 2012?  What do I need to add to my 2013 reading list?

a new year

Well, 2012 passed in the blink of an eye and here I sit on the 4th day of 2013.  I always thought it was weird when my parents talked about how fast time went, but now I totally get it.  I swear 2012 didn't even happen!

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about the new year... setting goals and trying to come up with a plan to actually achieve those goals.  One thing I'd really like to do is devote more of my time and energy to my little corner of the internet.  I really do love writing, and even if I'm just recounting days and weekends, I'd love to do a better job.  Besides, I'm fairly certain my mom and Mrs. Nease are the only people who stop by here anyway. :)

So I'll start off this post with a tiny recap of 2012.  It's been a busy year, and I feel like I did a lot of learning.  And while there were significantly fewer tears than 2011, I definitely spent a fair amount of time crying because apparently, that's what I do.  I didn't accomplish a lot of things I wanted to, but I am ending the year with a full and happy heart, so I'll count it a success.

January 2012

• Started watching my niece and nephew.
• Cried... A LOT. (Lucy)
• Started back to Kindergarten after winter break.

February 2012

• Took reflux meds, finally.
• Celebrated Valentine's day with my 3 favorite people.
• Added a third nephew to the crew.

March 2012

• Added the third kiddo to my already crazy Mondays & Wednesdays.
• Got an iPhone and an Instagram addiction was born.
• Spent a rainy spring break indoors.

April 2012

• Celebrated Micah's birthday.
• Bought a weather radio and survived "Tornado Outbreak 2012."
• Walked in the OKC Heart Walk in honor of our friend's son.

May 2012

• Graduated Kindergarten.
• Watched a lot of Thunder basketball.
• Celebrated one year at FFL.
• Moved!

June 2012

• Spent a weekend with my extended family.
• Celebrated my 31st birthday with friends.
• Visited with friends in town from Houston.
• Started swimming lessons... and swam- a lot.

July 2012

• Watched fireworks and ate yummy food with friends for the Fourth.
• Rode jet-skis at the lake.
• Crowned and filled a lot of teeth.
• Celebrated 8 years of marriage.
• Celebrated a 6th birthday with an Olympic themed party.

August 2012

• Fed a giraffe at the zoo.
• Started first grade.
• Put together a new swing set.
• Started a new serving role as AWANA coordinator at church.

September 2012

• Spent a week with Houston friends (again!).
• Cheered for OU at a home game.
• Started taking steps unassisted.

October 2012

• Traveled to TN for a week with my family.
• Saw a bear.
• Became a tiny ghost and Mario for Halloween.
• Went to the pumpkin patch.

November 2012

• Voted.
• Played in the alumni basketball game.
• Turned ONE!
• Lost two front teeth.
• Gave thanks for all the gifts we've been given.

December 2012

• Spent two days in Tulsa with my love... alone.
• Wore tacky Christmas attire to parties.
• Counted down to Christmas with several fun activities.
• Ice skated and explored downtown.
• Had a very merry Christmas.
• Rang in the New Year with friends.

So there you have it- the Rigdon Family 2012 year in review.  It was a fun year, and I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for us.

Lucy Kate- month 11

Sweet Lucy,

How in the world are we one month from your first birthday?  I can't believe at this time last year, we were waiting patiently for you to arrive...  So many questions were swirling around inside my head at that time.  Our family had been three for so long, it was hard to think about our life with another member to the family. And now, almost a year later, I can't believe you weren't there.  I barely remember our life before we were a family of four.

Walking is quickly becoming your preferred mode of transportation.  You can get around much quicker than you were, and you typically let go and just walk until you fall down.  Sometimes you stand back up and try again.  Other times you are content to crawl.  If I were guessing, I'd say you'll be getting around solely on your feet by the time another month comes around.

You've added the words "Hi!" and "mama" to your vocabulary.  You love saying "Hi!" while waving to everyone around you.  You've also learned to pick up things, hold them to your ear and say "Hi!" like you're on the phone.  It cracks me up.  You don't say mama a whole lot, but when you do, it totally melts my heart.  I think you might also be saying "all done" when you finish your food, but I can't tell for sure if that's what you're saying or not.

 We finally have all four top teeth!  The baby vampire was cute while it lasted, but I'm a little relieved to see those other teeth make their appearance.  I think you're getting bottom teeth too.  It won't be long before you have a whole mouth full of teeth.

 You love to play with your sorting box, putting the shapes in and out.  It's also a lot of fun when we build towers and you knock them over.  That makes you laugh so hard!  You are also enjoying the little people farm that we got out, although you're preferred way to play with it is to eat the animals.  I love watching you explore and take in new things.

This month you went on your first big vacation.  We drove 14 hours to Tennessee to visit family there.  In fact, you turned 11 months while we were there, which is why these pictures have such a great background.  You had a blast chasing your cousin Hayden and seeing lots of new things.  You were a total trooper in the car and only screamed the final 2 hours of the trip.

You also had your first real sickness this month.  Right before our big trip you came down with a high fever, cough and runny nose.  It ended up being double ear infections and a yucky cold.  Fortunately, antibiotics knocked it out and you were back to normal before our vacation.

I love you so much, my sweet baby goose.  I can't believe the next time I sit down to write one of these recaps you will be ONE.  I am so very thankful that God gave you to us.

Forever,
Mommy

Lucy Kate- month 10

Well, if I thought month 9 was full of change, this month has brought even more.  You are oh so quickly moving from that tiny baby to a full blown toddler and I don't like it one little bit.  Actually, I really do love this stage.  You are so much fun and I'm seeing more of your little personality each day.

You have officially let go and started taking steps around the room without holding onto things.  I wouldn't by any means say you are "walking" but you're well on the way.  Typically if you're distracted by something (a toy you want, your brother, something tiny on the floor only you see...) you'll take quite a few steps.  This has resulted in quite a few bumps and bruises, since you frequently crash into things.  You definitely keep the poor nursery workers on their toes!

This month also brought your first words... "Dada" was first, quickly followed by "Bubba."  This has motivated me to start referring to myself in third person more... :) You babble all the time- dadadada, babababa, nananana and mmmmmmmmmm are some of your favorite sounds.  You've got a gap in your teeth (we'll get there in a second) so you also love to stick your tongue between the two teeth you have and make a "whistling lisp" sound.  Cracks me up every time.

Speaking of teeth- those pesky top teeth are STILL giving you trouble.  Your eye teeth are out, but not the middle ones.  I love that you have fangs and I call  you my tiny baby vampire.  The middle teeth are right there and I can feel them when I put my finger in your mouth, but for some reason they just do not want to come on out.  This has lead to some fussy nights for you, which is no fun.

You love to play peek-a-boo.  You mastered putting a blanket up over your head and pulling it down this month.  Now you do this with EVERYTHING- small toys, blankets, burp rags, cups... even if they don't come close to covering your eyes.  You hold them up over your head and wait for me to say "Where's Lucy?  Peek-a-boo!"  This gets the biggest smiles and giggles.  Other favorite toys are: your walking push toy, shape sorter and a little drum.

You also love pacifiers.  Not because you actually LIKE them for their intended use- no ma'am, it's still all thumb all the time for you- but you like to steal them from your friends.  Your cousin Elijah is your most frequent target.  As soon as I set him down, you crawl over and promptly take his binky and crawl away.  Apparently you've tried this on some bigger kids in the nursery too, only without as much success.  I'm working on getting you to stop, and I suppose you'll figure it out soon.

I've had so much fun buying your fall wardrobe this month.  Most of your clothes are size 12 month.  They're a little big, but you're long and I'm sure you'll grow this winter.  From leggings, dresses, tights and jeggings- girls clothes are a whole new ballgame for me.  It's more complicated than your brother, but oh so fun!

You are still such a good little eater.  I should do a post someday about all the food you eat, because the list is too long for this already long post.  You've started to nurse every 4 hours vs. 3 and MAN- what a difference that extra hour makes for our days!  And I guess it's also time to start thinking about the weaning process since you'll be a year before I know it...

You are the light of our lives, sugar goose!  We love you to pieces and can't wait to see what fun this next month holds.

Forever, Mommy 

Lucy Kate- 9 months

*our computer that I use for all my photos is having some issues, which is why I haven't posted month 9 yet- I was waiting for pictures... but I decided if I don't get these on the blog it will never happen. So here is month 9 sans pics... month 10 is coming soon.*

Nine months... You're officially 3/4 of the way to being ONE. How did that even happen? I can't believe I'm already looking at first birthday ideas and thinking about planning your party. Crazy. But enough about being one- let's look at month 9.

You are quite the crawler and are into everything these days. You can make it across the room in no time. You've also started to cruise around the furniture and walk behind the little push toy that we have. I'm not ready for my baby girl to be walking!

Your favorite game to play is "chase." You love to be sitting on the floor and watch as John Mark or Daddy "sneak" up on you and then pretend to get you. You crawl to me and try to jump into my lap, while laughing and clapping the whole time. Then you turn around and wait for them to do it again. You love playing peek-a-boo and crawling around after John Mark. I love to see you two playing together. He loves you so very much. You couldn't have asked for a better big brother, that's for sure!

You are still such a good eater. So far you have tried everything I have given to you, and I can't think of anything you have refused. You definitely have your favorites- all fruit and carrots... and you definitely don't love corn (what can I say? You are your mother's daughter!) and broccoli. You still nurse around 5 times a day, but I can tell you are moving to only 4 times a day soon.

Sleep this past month hasn't been great. I think it's because you are working on getting all 4 of your top teeth at one time. You're up at least once a night, sometimes more. You're still taking great naps, so fortunately you haven't been too cranky during the day.

I love you so much my little goose. I'm so thankful for the sweet blessing you are to our family. I don't know what we ever did without you.

Forever, Mommy

the first day of school- first grade

As impossible as it is to believe, John Mark started first grade on Friday.  He's at a new school this year, but in typical John Mark fashion- he wasn't phased by it.  To quote my friend Jamie- "that kid could make friends with a tree stump."

Thursday night, we said prayers for the first day of school, discussed making good choices (aka, STOP TALKING ha!) and turned out the lights extra early.  Friday morning he bounced right out of bed, excited to meet his new friends.  After a yummy breakfast, we were off to the new school.

We  walked into his classroom, dropped off his supplies and found his desk.  I talked with his teacher while he walked around and checked out his new classroom.

At this point in the morning, he was ready for me to go.  He wanted to go play with his new friends and do it on his own.  We gave him one last hug and walked out the door.  I stood in the hallway and watched him play for a few minutes.  He was putting together a puzzle and talking nonstop to the kid next to him. 

Lucy moped around the house for most of the day.  I think she was sad to have her bubba gone after a fun summer of playing with her all day.  She was very excited when we picked him up. 

His first day of school report- "Great!"  His favorite part- "everything!"  I'll take that as a successful first day of first grade.

John Mark- 6 years

*I wrote this on his actual birthday, but am just getting around to uploading pictures/blogging it...*

Dear John Mark-

Today you are six years old.  Words cannot begin to sum up just how much I love you... how much joy and life you breathe into my heart everyday.  It seems like yesterday you were a little bundle, wrapped up in my arms for the very first time.  And now here you stand, a running, swimming, reading big BOY.

When I was pregnant with you, I remember praying many things for you... asking God to make you healthy and strong... praying for Him to draw you to Himself.  One specific prayer I remember praying that I see played out in your life everyday was a prayer for kindness. 

Once we saw just how BIG of a guy you were destined to be, my heart always cried out for you to be kind and gentle.  OH how the Lord has answered that prayer.  Your heart is so tender and you genuinely love the people in your life so purely it takes my breath away.  Whether you're leading your younger cousins around, helping a random toddler up the slide at Chick Fil-A or chasing one of the teenagers you love so dearly, your heart is ENORMOUS.  Now, I'm not saying you are perfect.  We have our fair share of battles on any given day.  But I am so very proud of the gentle, loving heart that the Lord has given to you. 

I love that you are so easy-going and laid back.  You weathered a huge battering of change and hurts over the past two years, and somehow you came out just fine.  I pray that the truths you heard from us, the actions from those around you, will continue to draw you to a relationship with the Lord.  That is my prayer everyday.

You love your little sister more than I could ever put into words.  In fact, the thing you get in trouble for most frequently is picking her up, hugging her, kissing her, standing her up... basically smothering her with your love.  You told us the other night that you will always protect her and keep her safe.  You love to read her books and hold her in your lap- both of which are more difficult now that she's on the move.

In the past year you learned to read like a little champ.  Seriously, something totally clicked and you took off with reading faster than I ever expected.  You flew through the summer reading challenge at the library this summer, then read 20 books to earn the Star Wars Operation game you had been begging for.  Your daddy and I both love reading, so I hope that we are able to pass along a love for books to you.

You're into Star Wars (you've actually seen the movies/played the xbox game now), Legos, Super Heros, Mario, swimming, and PBSKids.org (that's what you call it whenever you ask to play...).  You love to eat snacks, but eat so many that you fill up before supper.  Your favorites are yogurt, applesauce, wheat thins, cheetos and string cheese.  The one supper you ask for over and over is Cheesy Broccoli Chicken.  I think you would eat that everyday.

You are still a giant- wearing a size 8 slim in jeans, 6-7 in shirts and size 3 shoe.  Last time I weighed you, you were 56 pounds.  I know you've shot up over the past few weeks, so I don't know how tall you are.

I love you more than words, and am so thankful everyday that God picked me to be your mommy.  I hope you never, ever forget how much you are loved- by me, your daddy, Lulu and the rest of our family and friends.  You're a light and a blessing to everyone around you.  Happy birthday, buddy bear.

Love you forever-
Mommy