New Calling

I was just called as the Primary Music leader in my ward. For some reason I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. It's been quite a while since I sang most of these songs. {I'm thinking I may have to start playing the cd in my car to refresh my memory!} I also want to make it fun for everyone, there lies the challenge! Hopefully I can find a fun way to introduce new songs and make music time fun for all the the kids.

New foods.

Brock continues to do really well with his new food discoveries. Last night he tasted acorn squash. And seems to like it!

Blogging Brock!

Maybe it's because he's jealous of my blog, or maybe because he likes to watch Daddy email Elder Lunceford {uncle Mark} every week, but Brock has decided that the keyboard is his new toy. He typed an email to Daddy a few weeks ago, then Daddy let him type again this morning. And so when I sat down to check a few blogs Brock decided it was his turn to write something. Exhibit A:

o..mlk o vfh ,,pmv vpmm,mb 9c9m;cv vc o;nk ,o.,,;f v vvik o;bvmb ombmvvgmfmgbvvvb bemvmvmv vmckclbnnn vmvv ,vpn.

I'm not sure exactly what he's trying to say. Maybe that he loves his Mommy! or maybe he's wondering when Daddy will get home? or when he will finally be able to take a drive in the car so he can take a much needed nap. but whatever it is he had a blast typing! Hope you all enjoy deciphering Brock's hidden message!

Quote of the week~ {Patience}

How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success?
~ Elbert Hubbard

Way too cute.

Just look at those gorgeous blue eyes. Happy 6 months Brocky!

Holy Hootenanny!

Hoote... WHAT?
Hootenanny! Pancakes that is!
My friend Liz mentioned making these on her blog. And that made me want some real bad! I haven't had Hootenanny Pancakes {German Pancakes} in so long.
So I went into the kitchen and whipped up a batch! Just look how yummy my hootenanny "mountains" are!

Something Funny....

and I said it too!
Well at least I think it's pretty funny you be the judge:
Yesterday at church someone came up to me and mentioned what good work I do {referring to Brock} he also said I guess Ryszard helped out a little there. I in turn said...
"Well anyone can mix the dough but it takes the right oven to bake the bread!"
{ Ryszard doens't think I'm very funny but I have to say I'm one of the funniest people I know!}

Sunday Crafts.

Yesterday was 'Craft Day" for me, well after going to church that is. Brock went down for a nap and Ryszard was watching football so I decided to do something fun too! I had 2 main projects I wanted to do.one being a crib rail cover. Partly because I put Brock into his crib with his brace on, and partly because I'm a little clumsy. I often bump his brace onto the top of the crib rail. So I decided to make a quick little cover to protect the wood from getting too "shabby chic" too soon. Although it took me a while to find fabric that I actually thought would look good, I finally found some on Friday that I thought might work. It all came together pretty well. Nothing great, but good enough.
not bad for a 3 dollar fix!
The other craft I attempted, {that came out great} was this:
a crayon roll for when Brock gets a little older. I made mine with a button and tab closure, of course it's football themed, something I thought Ryszard would like. {all rolled up!}
I actually love how it came out. I made my pockets a little bigger so they could also hold marker's or chunkier crayons. I also added a pocket for a pad of paper.I think I may have to make more! I also did a few "I Spy Bags" {I actually made these a few days ago, but thought I'd share} One is a Christmas theme full of fun holiday items to find hidden in the snow, such as a present, a jingle bell, a snowman, etc. The other I entitled "Just Like My Dad!" I filled this one with football and tool themed buttons, {Ryszard's favorite Sport, and what he uses on a daily basis for work}.
I love how it came out. .I originally wanted to use that fake snow type stuff but the "snow" kept clinging to the window. So I thought about using rice, but decided to use the poly pellets in the end. Because if this toy by any chance gets wet, {which being in a child's hand it might happen pretty easily} the poly pellets are able to dry. Where as rice, wouldn't. And the longer it lasts the better.

A Perfect Pear!

I finally decided to get back on track with introducing Brock to some more new foods. Today we tried out some yummy pears. Brock must have liked them because he ate them so fast and was wanting more and more. But can you blame him they are pretty yummy!

Quote of the Week~ {Patience }

"Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable." --Elder Neal A. Maxwell,

A yummy snack...

This is my own little version of a fruit and yogurt parfait.
1 cup yogurt {I use Colombo Strawberry}
1/4 cup Rice Krispies
1/2 cup fruit of your choice {I like bananas, strawberries or blueberries}
Place in bowl and gently mix together.
now enjoy.
Ryszard thinks I'm nuts for mixing Rice Kricpies cereal with yogurt, but it kind of acts like granola. If I had clustered granola I'd use that but I only have Rice Krispies cereal so that's what works for me!

Double Tag

this first one is one I have done before, {so I won't tag anyone new} but I feel I need to return the tag to Kathy!4th file 4th picture:
this is one of Brock's very first smiles! Ryszard took it on his cell phone to send to Brock's uncle Adrian {Ryszard's brother}
the second tag is the top 10 DVD's played in you home. {also from Kathy}
we actually don't watch many dvd's and if we did the top ten acording to Ryszard would be the Soprano's series {7 sets} Nacho Libre, Heat and The Program. {Not my tastes}
But my top ten would be:
1~National Treasure {I love, love , love this movie!}
2~Batman Begins {Christian Bale... need I say more?}
3~The Notebook
4~Cars {mainly because I love to hear my boys aka Rascal Flatts sing "Life is a highway"}
5~Anne of green gables {series}
6~ Felicity series!
7~Pride and Prejudice {with Collin Firth}
8~Ever After
9~Sense and Sensability
10~Newsies {once again Christian Bale! what a hottie!}
Now I tag Kelly, Brianne, Julie, Heidi and Becca.

There were 3 in the bed...

and the little one said ROLL OVER! This morning I wasn't quite ready to get out of bed so Ryszard brought Brock into the bed with me, and for some reason Brock think he's the one who needs the queen size bed. Or at least it appears that way because here he is smack dab in the middle taking up all the room!

A letter to Dr. Ponseti

As many of you know Brock was born with bilateral clubfoot. When he was 9 days old we started the process of correcting his feet using the Ponseti Method. Dr. Ignacio Ponseti developed his non-surgical method of correcting clubfoot in the 1940's at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Much like all great inventors, Dr. Ponseti was inspired to find a better way as his research continued to prove that the traditional methods of treating this birth defect were failing. {click here to learn more about the Ponseti method}
This past week I found out that Dr. Ponseti's health hasn't been that great so he is cutting back on his hours spent working at the University of Iowa Clinics {Yes! you heard me right cutting back! At the age of 94 he is still working with children with clubfeet.}
{doesn't he look like the sweetest guy ever?} So today Brock and I made a card to send to him, thanking him for the amazing work he has done. I have read many stories over the past 6 months of children and parents who have been in Dr. Ponseti's wonderful care. Some of them coming to him after failed attempts by other doctors claiming to follow his method. I am so grateful to Brock's doctor Dr. Mack (at Shriner's),
who has been trained in Dr. Ponseti's method and has done amazing things for us.

For the birthday girl...

Today my niece Katelyn turns 6 years old. Katelyn lives in Georgia, so we don't get to see her a lot. {actually I've only been able to see her a few times once when visiting family back in the summer of 2003 and then again this past September.} But she is so much fun. We love you Katelyn and hope you have a great birthday!

Up All Night.

I received my conference issue of the Ensign this past week.
WOW! Even though I watch conference and took notes, there's only so much you can really hear when you're tending to a 4 month old baby.
I've been reading talks that were given, underlining key phrases and really reflecting on the words that were expressed. Sometimes it has kept me up all night, while I do more reading, searching for more.
I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love knowing that there is a living prophet in the world today. I love being able to read and reflect upon the words that our prophets and apostles share with us.
What better way is there to spend a sleepless night?

My little Man

Just a few pics of me and my Little Man!

Quote of the week~ {Patience}

“Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind.” - Leonardo da Vinci

Honor for those who fight for our freedom...

A reason to be thankful.

I recently joined a group on Yahoo for parents of kids with clubfoot. It has been so interesting to hear/read all the different issues other parents have encountered in their children's clubfoot experiences. Hearing some of these stories have made me extremely grateful for the amazing Doctors who have treated Brock's clubfoot. Not everyone follows the same method of correction, there are some children out there who have had to have many surgeries and casts, bracing and more surgeries. I am so thankful that we were able to go to a doctor that follows the Ponseti Method. {Even though this method has been around for over 50 years, it's only been mainstream for the past 8 years} and because of the other methods that were so wildly used before the Ponseti Method, many doctors have tried to intermix the 2 methods. I don't really agree with this. I feel the Ponseti Method is the best way to treat any child with clubfoot. {Although there may be some special cases where surgery is the only way to fix a clubfoot} I am also so grateful for Shriner's hospital because of their free care Ryszard and I haven't had to deal with any of the insurance problems that other parents have had come across their plate.
I just wanted to post a few updated photos of how Brock's feet are looking these days.
This is one of the stretches we I do with Brock's foot. When we first tried to do this stretch {back before we had his Achilles Tendon cut} Brock would cry until we let go, now he just giggles and thinks it's so funny.
I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am for the amazing progress that Brock has made in such a short time. Especially when I know there are children and adults in other countries that just have to learn to live with it. {This is another reason why Shriner's Hospital is such a great place, they offer FREE care to children all over the world. I was able to talk with a few of the doctors that were getting ready to go to the Dominican Republic and Cuba recently for a yearly clinic they hold there... WOW!}
It never seems to amaze me that even way things seem hard there is always something to be grateful for.

Unexpected trip to Shriner's

This past Saturday Ryszard noticed that one of the straps on Brock's shoes had torn. {Which won't seem like that big of a deal, but these are his "special" shoes that connect to a brace to help maintain the correction we have achieved with his clubfoot.} So after Ryszard noticed this detail I gave Shriner's a call and left a message, knowing that we wouldn't be able to get in until today Ryszard did a quick fix with some athletic tape. This morning We got a call from the orthodics department at Shriner's and scheduled a time to come in. We checked in with the receptionist and she gave Brock a little gift{ a stuffed white Tiger named Blizzard} that quickly crawled into the diaper bag

we then made our way over to the orthodics department. A few minutes later we showed Brock's shoes to Robert who then in turn took them back into the orthodics room to have them looked at. After playing with Blizzard a while longer out came Brock's shoes. {Because Ryszard did such a good mending job in the first place, and because Brock's feet still fit in the shoes they decided to just reinforce the straps a little.} The shoes were actually fixed by Brock! {not our Brock but another Brock that works at Shriner's, how cool is that!} I'll have to get a picture next time! Our Shriner's has recently updated their entertainment library and they had a bunch of movies that they were giving away. Our receptionist picked out a few for us to take home Bambi and Dumbo {they haven't even been opened yet!} although Brock's not into watching movies yet these a 2 great selections to start with. Anyway so we're back home playing and kicking and showing daddy our fun gifts!

Puppy Love & Peaches!

We have a little Puppy "Pepper" that usually sits above our bed, that has recently found a new home on Brock's dresser/changing table. A few days ago Brock noticed it while I was putting him down to change his diaper. He was twisting all around trying to find where the puppy went, so I picked up Pepper and let him give Brock a few kisses. Last night I had Ryszard help me get a few quick pics of Brock with Pepper the Puppy.

What a cutie!

Then today when we got home from church, I decided to steam a few peaches and puree them for Brock to enjoy! {Yummy yummy for Brock's tummy!}

Quote/story of the week~ {Patience}

here is a fun little story :
I once learned a valuable lesson about patience. I came across a box turtle while walking home one day. I brought him home to examine a little more closely. My intention was to keep him for a few hours and let him go. I put the turtle down and waited for him to come out of his shell. He didn't. I pulled up a chair and waited some more. He didn't budge. I sang to the turtle. Still no appearance. I told turtle stories. I coaxed him with food. But nothing worked.
Finally, I had to leave. So I barricaded the porch in case the turtle decided to leave, too. After all, I still hadn't gotten a closer look. The turtle decided he had had enough. When I returned, the porch was empty. He apparently didn't think much of my barricade.
I learned a valuable lesson from that turtle. He just bided his time and waited. He wasn't much interested in food, songs or stories. He only wanted me to go away. So he patiently waited until I left. Then he left, too.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson {Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.}

Last Night's Project

While Brock is napping I often run downstairs to do a little bit of crafting. Just small things here and there. I've been wanting to frame Brock's Blessing outfit for some time now but haven't had "enough" time to do it. Well last night I could not get to sleep so I decided to head downstairs to start this project, not really knowing when I would actually finish it. But Brock decided to take an early nap today, so I went back downstairs to see if maybe I could finish and....
wallah!
{details}
I'm going to frame a few pictures along with Brock's Blessing, to accompany it on the wall. { My Mom and my Relief Society President, Lynn helped me write down what was said, and Ryszard also recorded everything as well. So between the 4 of us we got everything down on paper and my Mom was able to type it up for me while she was here.}
I also have a few other things I'm creating for his room, but I'll post those later. {Maybe we'll actually get Brock into his own room one of these days so I can finally put up all the little decor items I've been making for his room.}

Brock's crazy about ....

Peas!
Brock really has been amazing in his food adventures.
He's taken to each new food very well.
Tonight we tried out peas and Brock just gulped them down.
We are so proud of our little

Check back on Sunday for his next food adventure!

Brock's Loving ....

Butternut squash!
Yesterday I roasted a butternut squash to puree into baby food for Brock..{hoping he would like it} I ended up having to steal a couple of bites for myself. Last night I gave him some squash mixed with his cereal, he loved it! His tastes are expanding more and more, now I have to figure out what his next food will be.

Husband Tag

1~Full Name? Ryszard Michael Milewski
2~How Long Have You Been Married? 1 1/2 years
3~How Long Did We Date? 3 1/2 years
4~Who Eats The Most Sweets? Both, I stretch it out while Rysard likes to eat it all at once.
5~Who Said I Love You First? Ryszard did. I'm already 8 years younger then him, and there was no way I was going to be the first one to say it.
6~Who's Taller? Ryszard is by about 6 inches
7~Who Sings Better? Me for sure, unless it's karaoke and then Ryszard rules!
8~Who's Smarter? Depends on the subject. I'm much better then Ryszard when it comes to kids and medical related topics. He's better at "everything" else. {His words not mine}
9~Who Does The Laundry? Both {but I take care of Brock's clothes.}
10~Who Pays The Bills? Ryszard
11~Who Sleeps On The Right Side Of The Bed? We don't really have sides, but I end up on the right most of the time!
12~Who Mows The Lawn? Ryszard, but I love mowing so he should let me do it more often!
13~Who Drives? Both, but mostly me
14~Who Admits They Are Wrong? I do, even if I'm not. {Ryszard is a little stubborn}
15~Who kissed Who First? I kissed him, because he thought I wouldn't do it.
16~Who Asked Out Who First? Me
17~Who Wears The Pants? Ryszard says he does, But that's only because he doesn't listen to what I have to say.

Now I tag: April, Julie, Katrina, Becca and Heidi.

Quote of the week~

I'm going to be starting something new with my "Quote of the week" posts. Starting this month, each quote will revolve around one topic for that whole month. The topic will be something I am personally trying to make a better part of my everyday life. Something I consider a weakness that I want to turn into a strength. I hope you all enjoy this new take on the Quote of the week posts.
The topic for this months is "Patience".

"Through service to others, we develop a Christlike love and we experience joy. Service teaches patience and long-suffering as well as gentleness, goodness, and faith." --Merrill J. Bateman,