Evening visitor!

Jud, Wesley and I were enjoying a nice and quiet evening last night. We had eaten dinner and were watching a movie together. We had caught the last half hour of "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey." Wesley was sitting in his swing, Jud in his recliner and I in my spot on the sofa. The animals had just gotten to the pound when Jud left the room for a minute and the animals began to escape while the rest of the animals in the pound began to have a fit. While these animals were barking and howling, when I heard something at our front door. So, I open our wooden door to see this:

This is our pal from across the street. We believe he is a Great Pyrenees. But, he is big! He usually visits during daytime hours, but he came late last night.

These last two pictures were taken on a different day just to give you an idea of his size!

Many people that walk our streets our scared of him......

But, how could anyone be scared of this sweet puppy?? He really has become our pal! This morning as I was thinking about this post, I looked out the door and he was laying out in our yard! I would hear barking, so I would look and he would be following the walkers and bicyclists, barking at them! He's already begun to protect us too!!

9 Months, Are you sure?

As I've posted before, Wesley's birthday was last month. Well, his Aunt Ashley didn't get to come down at that time. She came last week and had gotten him a new toy for his birthday. (He was given a lot of toys for his birthday. It's just that this one has a story to it already!) It was Playskool's Busy Ball Popper. This thing is great! It pops the balls up in the air, sometimes a foot up! Then, some (in theory, I'm sure all were supposed to) land back in the orange tray, drop down to the blue slide and go through the purple tube to the bottom to be shot right back up. Below is the toy and the box to it:

And, a closeup of the Popper:

In action:

Now, look back at the very first picture at the top right hand corner of the box. See the Ages over 9 months. Well, my mom (Wesley's NaNa) and I sat down with Wesley to show it to him, and not only did he love it, but we were tickled with it too. A very entertaining toy. Well, Wesley was supposed to stay with his NaNa and PopPop while Jud and I went to Shreveport to see Wesley's Aunt Ashley at the hospital. So, later in the afternoon NaNa and PopPop got down there with him and PopPop joined in on the fun! Then, when Jud and I got back, I was showing him how it worked and you should have seen him!! I believe they should emphasize the OVER 9 months!! This is such a cute toy!! And, Wesley has figured out to wait until the air stops blowing to drop the balls down the yellow tube and, then, to push the red button to start it up again!! He's SO smart!

#54. When I get my Trifle bowl, make the Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle.

I have now completed my third task of my 101 in 1001! #54 When I get my Trifle bowl, make the Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle. This recipe came from the Pampered Chef's Season's Best Spring/Summer 2009 Recipe Collection. One of my close friends sells Pampered Chef and I found this recipe because of her. I made this dish September 1st.

Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle

Ingredients:

• 18 Whole Graham crackers (5 x 2 in.), divided
• 3/4 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 Container (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
• 1 Pkg. (3.4 oz.) banana cream instant pudding and pie filling
• 1 Cup milk
• 1 Lemon
• 4 Large Bananas

1. Finely chop half of a graham cracker using a chopper; set aside. Coarsely crumble remaining crackers into small mixing bowl.
2. For ganache, place chocolate morsels and 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping into a small bowl. Microwave on HIGH 45-60 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds. Combine pudding mix and milk in a medium mixing bowl; whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in remaining whipped topping; set aside.
3. Juice lemon to measure 2 tbsp. juice. Peel bananas and cut into 1 1/2 in. pieces. Slice pieces into medium batter bowl. Add lemon juice and toss gently. Set aside 12 slices for garnish.
4. To assemble trifle, place half of the crumbled graham crackers over bottom of Trifle Bowl. Place half of the bananas over the crackers, arranging some of the bananas against sides of bowl, and top with one-third of the ganache (see Cook's Tip). Spread half of the banana filling over ganache, spreading to edges. Repeat layers one time. Decorate with remaining ganache. Sprinkle top of trifle with chopped graham cracker. Arrange reserved banana slices around the edges of trifle. Yields: 16 Servings

Cook's Tip: To get a good visual of the ganache layers, spoon ganache into resealable plastic food storage bag. Trim corner of bag to allow ganache to flow through. Pipe around the inside edges of the bowl, then drizzle remaining ganache over the bananas.

#29 Get Wesley's room the way I want it, including or excluding, but not limited to painting and full cleaning.

So, I can now cross off another number on my 101 in 1001 list!! Jud and I got Wesley's room completely cleaned and straightened. So, without further ado, here are the before and after pictures.

Wesley's wagon full of toys from his Birthday toys!


Wesley's crib and a basket of clean clothes.

His room had come to hold extra stuff.

And, here are the after pictures:

This is the afghan that Wesley's NaNa made for him before he was born on top of the chest that his PopPop made.

This is above Wesley's crib. Below his name, is a poem that Aunt Jamye framed for him with a picture of Wesley's late Grandmother.

Notice that his name matches the trim in the room. And, the big red dog was given to me when I was pregnant with Wesley.

Notice how his coat/hat rack matches the trim in his room!

This room took a full day to get cleaned out. Then, we began the straightening, adding curtains, painting the letters and coat rack. But, we are very pleased with the finished project!! We can put Wesley down on the floor in here and he can play to his heart's content, and everything he can get to is his stuff. So, he has free reign!

Yayy, me!!

#97. Catch up on Wesley's Posts.

So, I can officially cross off my first 101 in 1001 task completely!! #97. Catch up on Wesley's Post. (15/15) I have completely finished catching up on all of Wesley's posts. And, it was amazing looking back on how much he's changed and grown! It was like watching him grow all over again! Check them out!!

• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- His First Day Home 08/15/08
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- His First Month- Aug. 15- Sept. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Second Month Sept. 15- Oct. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Third Month Oct. 15- Nov. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Fourth Month Nov. 15- Dec. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Fifth Month Dec. 15, 2008- Jan. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Sixth Month Jan. 15- Feb. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Seventh Month Feb. 15- Mar. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Eighth Month Mar. 15- Apr. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Ninth Month Apr. 15- May 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Tenth Month May 15- June 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Eleventh Month June 15- July 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Twefth Month July 15- Aug. 14, 2009
• Wesley's First Haircut- August 14, 2009
• Wesley's First Birthday Party!! August 15, 2009

Wesley's One Year Check-up!

So, Wesley had his one year checkup yesterday! He was 31 inches, which put him in the 75-90 percentile for height. He was also 21 pounds which put him in the 10-25 percentile for weight. But, his Doctor wasn't worried. She was very happy about Wes saying five words (Mama, Dada, Nana, hi and bye). He had to have three shots, the Chicken Pox shot, the MMR shot, and the Hepatitis A shot.

He's had a really rough time with the shots today. He hasn't slept much and has been a little more on the cranky side. I'm hoping he gets feeling better quick!

Wesley's First Birthday Party!! August 15, 2009

Wesley's First Birthday turned out very well despite the fact that it was an outside party.......

In August.........

In Texas.

We had his party at his NaNa and PopPop's backyard. We went with a Cowboy theme. And, we carried the cowboy theme over to his one year pictures. Wesley had lots of family and friends show up. We had two separate kinds of goody bags! For those 3 and under, we had cowboy hats with candy, a small stuffed horse, and a sheriff's badge. And, for those over three, we had boot mugs with the candy, small stuffed horse and sheriff's badge.

Wesley's Aunt Jenny made his cakes. This was the one for all of his guests!! It was beautiful and tasted great too!!



Wesley had to show up early with me, so I could get everything set up. So, Wesley got a sneak peak at his wagon and train from PopPop and NaNa!! I think he was surprised!!

Wesley was sitting with Bridgett and Mrs. Jackie!

This is Wesley's PopPop and friends Madison and Morgan with their mommy, Sarah!

This is the best shot of Wesley's Uncles Michael, JimEd, and Jody (from left to right) that Jud took.

(From back around to front) Lindsey and her twins, Chesney and Clint, Wesly's Aunt Jenny with Ella, Shanell, Jesse and Cash (little boy in front of Jesse), Mrs. Jackie, and Bridgett with Wesley in front of her.

Wesley's present table from the back.

Wesley's cake made by his Aunt Jenny.

Me trying to get Wesley to dig into his cake while his cousin Gracie cheers him on!!

Wesley's cake outside on the table.

Wesley's cousin Ella with her daddy, JimEd! She's enjoying the cake!

Wesley getting sugars from his friend Cash!

Best pals!! Wesley and Cash!!

Wesley enjoying his bear from his Great-Grandma!

Gracie and I showing Wesley his Alphabet Pal from his Aunt Morgan!

Wesley's Little People Airplane from friends, Hope and Mark.

Me holding Wesley and his cousins, Gracie and Ella. Can you tell it was hot out there? Look at all of our faces!!

Wesley with his cousin, Xane.

Wesley with his cousins Xane and Xander.

And, Wesley with all of his toys!! He really made out!! He is truly a blessed and loved little boy!!