The Act of Being Thankful

I realize that it is waaaay past time to update the ol' blog. I couldn't think of a better time to write an update than during this time of thanks and gratitude. Listing the things for which I am grateful makes for a nice update, I think.

I am thankful for a strong, happy, and healthy son who makes me laugh so many times a day. His very existence makes me thankful for every single day and makes me realize that there is no room in this life for being selfish. With every choice that I make, I take him into consideration first.

I am thankful for a supportive and loving husband who takes me for who I am...good and, well, not so good. He is kind, positive, and helpful. He supports my endeavors and respects my choices. Even though he doesn't share my love for rising at 3:00 in the morning to go scrub green manure stains off my horse and drive to a horse show with the hope of (maybe) winning a 25 cent ribbon, he supports it. (Wow...after typing that, I think that maybe I AM crazy!)

I am thankful for my loving family who is there when I need them. I can call any one of them at any time and they will do what they can to help out. This also includes giving me kick in the backside when I need it.

I am thankful for my friends who, no matter where they are, are ready to offer a kind word or inspire a good laugh. My friends "get" me. You've gotta love that!

I am thankful for my warm house, my health, my snuggly pets, and the opportunity to live my dreams.

Tomorrow, we celebrate a day of thanks. I am fortunate enough to be able to host a scrumptious dinner at our home. I can't wait to spend this day with my family and reflect on how wonderful my life really is.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

15 Month Check-Up

Justin had his 15 month check-up with Dr. Tomek yesterday. He is still above the 97th percentile in height, but has "dropped" to the 97th percentile in weight. This is most likely due to the increase in his activity. It's certainly not due to a decrease in his eating...this kid is a great eater. He had his first taste of baked chicken nuggets yesterday and loved them. In fact, he walks around saying "meat" like a good little carnivore should.

Dr. Tomek was very impressed with J's vocabulary. He used that word - "impressed". My heart swelled with pride.

Justin now knows the difference between the different types of vehicles...truck, car, bus, and train. He demonstrated for Dr. T his knowledge of body parts, his toy bus and toy truck, and even showed how he says "please". As always, J-Man was a very good boy...even when he had to wait for the nurse because another child was having a complete meltdown down the hall. J just took it all in stride.

A Quick Update

Wow. I have really been MIA lately. My apologies.





Things are great. Justin is doing very well. His increasing vocabulary impresses us daily. Just this morning, he was looking at a picture book, found a photo of a goldfish, pointed to it, and stated, "Fish." Other words in J-Man's vocabulary:

• Mom
• DaDa
• Nana
• Papa
• Ba
• Cat
• Dog
• Truck
• Please
• Up
• Down
• This
• Go
• Fast
• Duck

Justin also knows the sounds made by the following animals:

• Horse
• Cow
• Dog
• Duck

As you can see, our little man is progressing well. We are waiting on pins and needles for his acceptance letter from Harvard.

Jeff and I are doing well. Jeff is on a one week break from his classes at U of R. His band, The Revelers, is playing out next week (April 3rd) and I am sure he is looking forward to some non-school activities.

I am gearing up for the 2009 horse show season. Lots of riding and practicing of showmanship. I have several personal goals that I hope to meet with Chester this year. Let's hope it all goes well.

I hope you all are well. I promise not to be so lax in my posts from here on out. Justin hates for his adoring fans to be disappointed.

Walking, Talking, and Testing the Limits

Well, Justin's 13th month has been one of immense growth and maturity.

Justin can accurately identify a cat, a dog, the ceiling fan, the TV, a tractor, Da Da, both sets of Grandmas and Grandpas, and knows what a horsey says ("Bbbbbbmmmmmmrrrrrr"). He still mistakes random blonde women on TV for Ma Ma. At least they are all movie and TV stars and really good looking.

Justin is now walking just about everywhere he goes. He's tried running, but with little success. He'll get there soon enough.

If he sees a cat or a dog, whether in real-life or on television, he clearly says, "Cat" or "Dog".

Grandma DeBadts told Justin 'No' when he reached for the big screen TV. He turned to her and said (clear as day), "Yes". See...it's not ALL cute.

While J-Man is just about the sweetest thing ever, he is certainly independent and tenacious. He likes to stand up in his rocking chair and push the buttons on the television. He also likes to swirl his hand around in the toilet. He seems to know what the word 'no' means, but doesn't really like to stop what he's doing. We'll keep working on it. But, in the meantime, we are enjoying our little man so, so much.

Happy First Birthday, Justin!

Justin celebrated his first birthday yesterday with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa DeBadts, Grandma and Grandpa Simpson, Great-Grandma Auble and Great-Grandma Simpson.
Here are a few pictures of J's first experience with cake and pieces of his celebration. Happy Birthday, Little Man!

More Quotes from The Justin Files

More, actual statements made from me to my beloved son, Justin Reid:

"Please don't bite the toilet."

"Please don't climb into the dishwasher."

Again, things I never thought that I would say...

At any rate, Justin is still the love of my life. He is walking now...sort of. He walks with his shoulders hunched up, his arms bent at the elbows, and his lower arms straight out - it's a pretty accurate impersonation of Frankenstein.

He also points at things and asks, "Wasssat?"

When asked where the ceiling fan is located, he points right to it.

He knows the sign for "more" and uses it at will.

When we say, "I'm gonna get you!", he squeals and makes a break for it.

Justin loves books, baths, and carrots. He's not a fan, however, of animated or battery-operated stuffed toys or wearing pants. But, you've gotta hand it to the kid...battery-operated stuffed animals are kind of creepy and, if given the option, I think we could all say we'd rather be pantless.

J-Man also has a great sense of humor...he's very funny and laughs a lot. Just yesterday, he pointed to Katherine Heigl on TV and said, "Mama?" Hilarious.

Justin will be celebrating his first birthday next Friday. I can't believe he'll be a year old. I will be sure to post pictures of a cake demolition!

Happy Holidays to all and stay warm!

Justin's Holiday Photos

My little man had his photos taken last week and here are two of my favorites: