http://bmc.vox.com/library/post/name-these-swatches.html

i’m so sorry i haven’t updated in a while. i’m sorry for worrying anyone (especially you, julie, since you knew we were sick).
let’s work our way backwards, starting with today.

josiah has rotavirus. we went to the dr today and she “confirmed it”. by that, i mean she looked at the poop color. *rolls eyes* no test, nothing. so we’re still not 100% sure. the only thing we can do is continue to watch his liquid intake. so far he’s been getting enough to have wet diapers.

on tuesday, jerry, jeremiah, josiah and i started feelings sick. vomiting and dia. for the boys, dia. for the adults. jerry vomited once, but both of us were able to keep it at bay for the most part. it was in our throats but ykwim. jeremiah and josiah seemed to get better a few times, but threw up again each night.

we took josiah to the dr today because while he’s consistently had dia., the color changed from a pale yellowy-green color to a bright, flourescentish green color. i remembered it from jeremiah’s rotavirus scare.

the party was fun, although slightly disappointing. two friends and their family didn’t make it (both of which have little boys) and my brother and sil and niece didn’t make it. i was very sad about those absences. the monkey cake was a hit. it was yummy too!

josiah got a lot of things - mainly little people things. we got him the a-z little people zoo. both the boys LOVE it. and he got some much-needed new outfits.

i will try to get the pics up for you to see. the cake-eating was great!

oh, and i started a new blog for the boys. i don’t know how long i’ll have it up, because you know me and how consistent i am…but it’s http://jboys.vox.com - it will have pics and videos and posts BY the boys. you have to be signed in, and unfortunately you have to be a member to sign in, and you have to be invited to be a member. if you want an invite, let me know.

well i think that’s all for now…please keep our little family in your prayers!!!

the same kind of pan used for the head was used for the legs (and feet) and the arms (and hands).

the pans used for the head and the snout.

head and body.

head and body pushed together.

added the snout.

added the legs and ears.

added the feet.

added the arms.

added the hands.

my taste testers!

the finished product!

i did the whole thing by guestimating and playing around.

how do you sign up for a cake decorating contest? does anyone know? it was suggested that i sign up, but i don’t know how.

well the hairy look is just because the cake was crumbly! LOL! i was trying for a more smooth look, but oh well!

i used three cake mixes. it’s a devil’s food mix. i ended up having lots of trim left over (which the boys tested for me LOL) and two of the small pans left over - one is for josiah’s personal cake.

the body pan was a turkey basting pan. the head, arms and legs pan were three regular round cake pans. for the arms and legs, i cut a circle out of them, cutting almost like a half moon design. then i cut the half moons off at the ends, making one side flat. i used the middle of them for the hands and the feet.
the snout and the ears were two small pot pie pans. the ears i cut in half, and trimmed down some.

my mom also found a banana shaped candle, and that’s going in the hand that’s next to his head.

the party isn’t until tomorrow but i wanted to make sure i could do it right before then…so it’s sitting in the kitchen tempting us. LOL!!

well yesterday my big fat {.} came back, and with a vengance. i don’t think you could know this, but i haven’t had one since jeremiah was 10 mos old. i did NOT miss is. i am feeling utterly horrible. to add to my pain, today i’d gained three pounds since last week’s weigh-in!!!! does a {.} really do that to you?!!?

i’m trying to get hyped about josiah’s party on sunday, but i feel more anxious than anything! i’m praying i can get the cake made just the way i want it, and praying all the ducks will fall into a row. i hope everyone who plans to come will come, and bring what they said they’d bring for the pitch-in. LOL. i mentioned what i decided on with the cake, didn’t i? i decided to make a monkey cake. i know exactly how i’m going to do it, so i hope it comes out perfectly. the only thing is, since it will be so large, i need to figure out what it’s going to sit on/transported on. any ideas? it’s going to be maybe 17 or more inches long.
i have also been asked to sing at church on sunday. this will be the first time in quite a while! so i’m nervous and excited about that one. i need to find ‘when i call on Jesus’ so i can decide between that one and ‘be still and know’.
mom and i have had a busy week! on tuesday we went to visit some online friends - i met FOUR of them, and their kids! it was a BLAST!!!!

wednesday, we went to the state fair. that was tiring - i wasn’t feeling well at all (and now we know why!) but it was fun. gramma bought josiah a monkey from ‘animalland’, which is like a build-a-bear thing, where they stuff the animal while you push on the lever. josiah loves his monkey! his name is nana, after a banana and also after gramma. LOL. jeremiah calls the monkey ‘bananas’. hehe! i need to get a good pic of him holding him later…

well pray for me. i’m still pretty down about my {.} and it makes the realization of jerry not wanting more kids right now REALLY hard.

God bless!

josiah and i went to the picture people today. we had a really great girl! i was pleased. she was a Christian teen, who commented on josiah’s name. she asked him if he knew what his name meant. i responded, “he IS rather fiery, too (josiah means fire of the Lord)” and she smiled. she said she is always wondering if people will be offended by her telling them the biblical meaning of their child’s name. i also had a discussion with her about the name jedidiah (still trying to convince jerry it’s not such a bad name!) because we would like a ‘prophet, priest and king’ if we have three sons. she said she LOVES the name and my husband should just admit it’s great. LOL. ANYWAY all that to say, she was the nicest and best photographer i remember having there.

which one would you have gotten? i only got the free 10×13. i also submitted it to the contest, but who knows what will come of it.

josiah did a great job and was so cute. in between the picture-taking time and the picture-pickup time, we played in the play area. i was laughing so hard at the fact that my little mischeivous monkey went straight for the books! he spent the first 10 minutes looking at books, then finally decided to play. i got a few pics of him. the cutest was when he was hugging the cow (it’s a big cow jumping over a moon) and saying “maahh maahh”. he is just so precious! i got lots of compliments on how cute he is. it’s always nice to know we’re not the only ones who think so, ya know?!

hey, if anyone would like to write a letter for josiah, for his time capsule, please comment that you would like to. i will then ask you for your snail mail addy. i want to send you an invitation, even tho you won’t be coming. (there are a few of you that i’m sending it to already, but i’m just SLOW!! i still have Christmas cards sitting here, people!!) i would LOVE for little jo-jo to have a bunch of wonderful letters to open when he’s 18!!

the lady at church who is always noticing my weightloss commented again today. she makes me feel so great! she said “whatever you’re doing, keep it up! you look wonderful!”. awwww isn’t she sweet?! i have officially lost 21 lbs since january. my goal is 24 more!!

well gotta skidaddle - God bless!

dear josiah,

today, you are one year old. it is hard for me to believe that a year ago, i was in labor. i was holding my legs together, trying to keep you in so the dr could get there before you came out!

josiah, you are a totally unique individual. you can be completely easy-going in your demeanor, but if anyone crosses you, you have the fastest temper i’ve ever seen - much like a lion. you have the fierce determination of a tiger. you have the antics of a monkey. you love the water like a dolphin. you eat like an elephant. you’re as cute and cuddly as a (teddy) bear. is it any wonder that i want to do your birthday theme in jungle? or at the very least, zoo?

there is nothing like a josiah snuggle and nuzzle. everytime you come to hug me, i feel all warm and cozy inside. you are completely precious and wonderful.

i can’t believe how much fun you are. your dancing is so adorable and precious, and your laughter fills a room. you are always busy doing something. from reading a book (often upside down - you’re so talented!) to climbing up and going down the slide, you never seem to stop DOING. you really wear me out, but i have to say i LOVE that about you. i love that you can occupy yourself, stopping only for hugs, kisses, nursing, and eating every so often.

just recently you have begun to enjoy your brother more. not just following him like a puppy dog, but really having fun with him. tonight you were laughing your head off at his antics (even jeremiah had no idea what was so funny!). it warms my heart so much to see this. i want the two of you to be best friends and pals forever!

you are such an amazing person, and i’m so thankful and so proud to be your mama!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYED BOY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love, mama
then:

today: (sleepy face, holding his new bear - josiah benjamin bear - aka benji bear!)