7 Ingredient Easy Apple Pie

#bud

It's been a hot minute since I've posted anything about Bud. He has to make one more trip to Alabama for one of his cars, and then he'll be an official Kentuckian. They've been through a lot these past couple of years...moving away from Ohio after 61 years for Bud and after 40 some for Nance. They lived in Alabama for one year and now we're in a new Kentucky home.

Bud loves Luke more than words can express. He's his little buddy, except when he's not.

Times he's not his buddy:
-dirty diaper
-screaming dah! dah! dah! while Bud is trying to watch Gold Rush
-when he locks Bud out of his own bedroom

The two are pretty similar. Both short. Both stocky. People tell me all the time Luke looks like Bud. Bud told me he has the Myers biceps and asked when would be the proper time to introduce him to some weights. I answered, maybe next year.

Chef #bud

Bud's new thing is cooking dinner for the family. I know, I almost died even typing these words. But, honestly, after 31 years of my life he cookeddinner for the first time and it was edible. He says he's fine tuning his "cunnery" skills. #culinary. He made us chicken and steamed vegetables a few weeks ago. He claims he'll cook up something really nice this weekend. I asked for filet. He snapped: "Don't test me! You'll eat what you get!" Fair enough.  

Bud also has a hidden talent. He is able to take selfies without knowing it. He was showing me pictures of a car he just bought when he scrolled through 10 selfies. All in the same position. All looking confused. He said, "I get real nervous when the camera turns on its own like that. Damn NSA running my life...just like your mother." He may have a point there.

I have not yet been able to send one of his selfies to my phone on the sly. He catches me every time. But, since he doesn't know how to delete photos, it's only a matter of time. I will post it here, immediately.

#nailedit

That feeling is starting to creep back up on me. The feeling of, we're about to have another baby, what the heck are we going to do? As we inch closer to spring...thank goodness for warm weather...my belly continues to swell. I am much larger at this phase of this pregnancy than with Luke. Maybe it's a girl, or maybe it's what Jeff says: "you're just stretched out." Honesty at its best, ladies. Either way, our baby is on the way. 

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. Bud and Nance bought a new house in Lexington. It's a beautiful plot of land surrounded by horse farms. Jeff, Luke and I are going to be living with them for probably the next year as we get back on our feet, save a little dough, and figure out exactly what we want to do next. Our house in Birmingham is under contract and they close April 1st. Yay for Jeff moving to Kentucky and becoming a family again. 

Since the weather broke a little last week we spent a lot of time outside. Time to take some cute pictures! 

Oh, here's a cute idea from Pinterest: 

#nailed it

It's okay to be abnormal

Luke's first birthday is in just a few weeks. I can't believe how quickly the year has gone. He started walking at Christmas, and it just made me reminisce on all of the milestones we've witnessed in this first year of his life.

Due to our current situation, we aren't having a birthday party for Luke. Well, at least not the kind you see on Facebook and Pinterest. My husband is still living in Birmingham. He is coming to town, and we are getting Luke a cake.

Because we aren't having a big celebration for our little man it really got me thinking about the last year. It's funny to me now how much I stressed during my pregnancy with Luke. I worried we didn't have everything perfect before his arrival. We worked so hard on a beautiful nursery that we are no longer able to enjoy. We were surprised with the gender (which no one does) and I felt unsure by that decision. Everyone looked at me like I was an alien and their response always was: "Oh, I could never do that." 

I now realize the things I worried about wasn't coming from me, it was coming from my insecurities that I wasn't a "normal" mom. 

Luke and I now live in a small 2 bedroom apartment with my mom. She has been the BIGGEST help. Mom in one room, Luke and I in the other. The walls are plain white. The kitchen only has room for one person. His crib doesn't match any of the furniture. There is no beautiful glider in the room to rock him. The closet is small with only the clothes he needs. There are no pictures of our little family on the walls. And, I'm okay with it. I know this is what my family has to do right now. 

I am pregnant again with our second child. I am due in June. I have a (soon to be) one year old, I'm working full time and my husband isn't here. Someone said to me the other day, "I could never do what you're doing." Sure you could! You see, our norm these days is primarily based off what we see and hear...and not what we feel. What I wanted more than anything my first pregnancy was a healthy baby. Secondly, I wanted everything to be perfect for him when he entered the world. Clothes he grew out of, toys he's grown out of, a nursery we grew out of. This time around, I just want us all to be together again. Giving our children an abundance of love is all we can give them right now...but isn't that what they need most? 

Some insecurities are sneaking back around. This time it's about not giving Luke the biggest most extravagant 1st birthday party. No theme. No guests. No big gifts. But then again, I feel if I was able to give him a huge birthday celebration I may look back on that and realize all he really needed was family, love, and a cake to dig into.  

I understand not everyone is like us. I am not saying one way is better than the other. The only reason I'm sharing these thoughts is so those who sometimes feel insecure know, it's okay. Don't let others sway your gut feeling of understanding what's best for your family, even if it is abnormal. You know what your family needs and you know what you want, even if those wants are overboard. Just know if you can't provide those wants you are probably more normal than you think. And if I fall into that category... I'm perfectly okay with that. 

One thing I want to pass down

My parents always talk about when you can't afford the big house, you need it. When you can afford the big house, you don't need it any longer. 

Keeping up with the Joneses has been a way of life for decades, and with social media it doesn't seem to be going away. 

I am an only child. Hate it. Have hated it since I understood the whole concept of siblings. When I was little, I asked Santa for a brother or sister every Christmas. I'm sure it broke my parents hearts, as they were not able to have any more children. 

My parents own a trucking company. My dad was a trucker all my life. He would come home on a Saturday and sometimes leave again on Sunday. In the early years, he was never around. He was working hard to build something for us. When I was in the 3rd grade I distinctly remember my dad coming home from a trip and telling me we weren't going to have to worry anymore. The funny thing is, I didn't even know we were worrying. 

Was it me being naive? Maybe. Was it my parents sheltering me? Yes. And, I'm thankful for it.

My mom talks about her seeing my dad for 12-24 hours a week. She raised me, ran a house and a trucking company practically as a single parent. She survived. I survived. And, I didn't know any different. 

Did we grow up in a naive/sheltered generation? Not to mention, impatient. Our parents talk about how hard they had it growing up. How difficult it was in the early years of their marriage. But, some of us (I'm guilty, as well) want it how our parents have it right now. Sometimes we forget it took 30+ years of hard work for our parents to get to where they are now. 

Jeff and I live in a house we can't afford, in a neighborhood we can't afford. We are moving to Kentucky with a different mindset. We are cutting way back on going out to eat, entertainment, vacations, etc. Saving now and trying to raise our children in a more modest environment, because that's how we were raised. 

I look around at some of the children today. They have new iPads and flat screens in their rooms, and it just makes me sad. I understand that an iPad may be the 2013 version of the clear phone we all wanted in our teenage years. However, if our generation is impatient...what does that mean for the next? Entitlement. 

I recently read an interesting article on how downsizing means loving larger. The general concept was a smaller house can create stronger family bonds. Children share bedrooms, so they play in the living room instead. They do homework at the kitchen table. They play outside because it's too cramped in the house. They survive. I hope we don't live in a house that is falling apart, but I see the benefits of living smaller. Downsizing now to upgrade in life. 

I fully intend on giving our children everything they need. I never want them to worry, but I also want to teach them about hard work. Is this the right way to raise a child? You have to remember, I have no idea what I'm doing. But, what I do know is I want to be able to tell my children stories like I've heard from my parents over the years. The stories of struggle, and worry. I want them to grow up, look around and realize they didn't know any different. We survived. They survived. So, they can pass that down to their children. 

New Name. New Look.

Myerland Reports is undergoing major renovations. Let's come clean, shall we? I really love writing, but I don't think people really care. It all goes back to the "Facebook" mentality. I, just like the next person, have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. It's like a car wreck. You know you shouldn't look, it just makes you feel weird, but you look because maybe there is something you can "learn" from the scene. 

Don't get me wrong, sometimes there are great informative links...and yes, I do like seeing exciting announcements...but for the most part, does anyone really give a rip about your delicious orange mocha frappucchino? I don't think so, Zoolander. 

I was afraid Myerland Reports wasn't relatable. 

So, my end of the year/new year's resolution is to kick this thing back into gear. Not as Myerland Reports, but as She's Becoming Domestic. Same basic concept, just less about the "Myerlands" and more about the real world. Don't worry, I will still share Bud stories.

I hope you like the changes, and are able to still get a good laugh. If not, you can de-friend this blog. I will only stop talking to you for one week.

I'm BAAAAACK

Whoa, what a hiatus. I'm not exactly sure why I disappeared for several months. Things with my job changed, dramatically. Oh, and a baby is time consuming (who knew?).  

Since we last chatted, I left CBS42 in September. I accepted a new job at LEX18 in Lexington, KY the following week. My new job doesn't begin until December 1st...so what have I been up to? Spending time with Luke, and trying to sell our house. 

"Moving sucks." "Selling a house is tough." They go in one ear and out the other, until it's your turn. Here are the top five things said during a move:

1. Where did all this crap come from?
2. Why didn't we do a better job of organizing?
3. Oh, there's that shirt I have been missing for 3 years. 
4. There is a lot of weird stuff behind the bed. 
5. Let's promise to be cleaner and more organized in our next house. 

There are so many amazing people in this city I will dearly miss. Too many to list. There are so many great restaurants and places to go in this city I will miss. Our neighborhood and the warmer weather are the two toughest things to leave. 

But, as a wise man once said... the times, they are a changin. 

I move to Lexington on Thanksgiving Day. Happy turkey day for us! My first day on the job is the following Monday. 

So, here are 9 things about Luke at 9 (almost 10) months:

1. He is the fastest crawler I have ever seen. 
2. He climbs on Molly for comfort. 
3. He yells loudly when crawling into a new room to vocalize his entrance. 
4. He has so many bumps, bruises and scratches from climbing up on everything. 
5. He went with his mama to the beach last week. We woke up on a Tuesday morning, packed our bags and left. 
6. He is eating mainly finger foods and little portions of what we eat. He isn't a picky eater, so far. 
7. He has severe stranger danger, but warms up to people within 5 minutes. 
8. He has two bottom teeth.  
9. His grandpa likes to style his hair with gel. 

This blog is in a desperate need of a face lift. Cheers to changes! 

A Day in the Life of Luke

One Bumbo sits alone.

Oh, hey Maggie. I'll throw the frisbee for you, if you bail me out of this ridiculous chair.

 Fine. It appears we agree to disagree on this matter. No deal.

Hey, there's Amelia! She's funny cause she looks like a lamb. 

  

Thank goodness you made it, Molly. You're the only one who understands me.

 

One Bumbo sits alone, no more. 

 

Luke is 2 months: What I've learned & what I'd do differetly

Our baby Luke turned two months old on March 23rd. This post is coming a little late... but, better than never.

Things I've learned: (month 2)
-The yoga ball is our new best friend. 
Thanks to my awesome neighbor, Jessica and her amazing mom, Brenda for this one! I hold Luke while bouncing on the ball, sometimes during story time but usually after the story is over. I learned how challenging it is to hold a baby and a book while bouncing on a ball. Within 2-5 minutes of bouncing, he is off the dream land. Luke also enjoys watching YouTube videos of JR Ewing. (see pic)
 
-The mall Easter Bunny is still creepy.  We took Luke to meet the Easter Bunny last week. Even though bunny that lives at Brookwood Mall was friendly, and less terrifying...he is still slightly creepy.

-My son is healthy.
Nance, Natalie and I took Luke to Jack and Janie this week (If you've never been... don't go. That store will suck the life out of your wallet with all the adorable clothes). The ladies working at the store gushed over Luke... after all, he is a ladies man. But, there was another little baby at the store who was the exact same age. She was half his size. The ladies kept remarking how big he is. Back off... my son is a growing young man who fancies the bottle.

-Red tennis shoes are the way to go. 
He likes them. Period.

-Nursery is a success. 
He is sleeping full time in his nursery now. He loves his mobile. He loves being rocked in the chair. He loves story time. He loves bouncing on the ball. And, he sleeps sounder and for longer periods of time in his crib. Luke is now sleeping solidly from 4-6 hours a night. He wakes up once, has a quick change and bottle, and then falls back to sleep for 3-4 hours. Jeff and I are different people. It's amazing what just 4 consecutive hours of sleep will do for new parents.

- Keep those nails SHORT.
Poor baby cuts his face with those daggers. Seriously need to trim his paws almost daily.

-Amelia still isn't sure what to make of Luke, but she's coming around. 
Molly has never been an issue. Since the day we brought Luke home from the hospital, she has been at his side when he cries. Kisses him. She takes naps in his nursery. And, she lives for story time. Amelia on the other hand, runs away when he cries. Hides in the closet for 80% of the day. And she could care less for story time. However... I've noticed her coming around a little more during the last two weeks. While, they aren't exactly best buddies... we are making progress.

Well, two months down. I am back to work this weekend, it is going to be so tough to leave the little guy. But, thanks to grandma Nance and grandpa Bud, he will be close by. I'm sure we are in for some epic tales to tell...

From the snow....to the sand.

Luke is a well traveled young man. We left for Ohio on Monday morning. Luke's first trip to Ohio was filled with family, friends and snow! He was a fantastic passenger on all the flights to and from Columbus. I was pretty nervous about flying with a 7 week old baby, but mom was a huge help. There is no way I could have flown without her. 

Luke had the chance to meet a lot of our old school New Albany friends, and most of the family. The real highlight of the trip up north was visiting with Grandma Susie. Luke's great-grandmother is 94, and she couldn't possibly love him anymore! Grandma held him, rocked him, and loved on him all day. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

It snowed during our trip to Ohio. It actually was a pretty snowfall, and I am glad Luke had a chance to see it....and leave it. 

We flew back to Birmingham on Thursday, did a few loads of laundry, and repacked our bags. Friday morning, Jeff, Luke and I loaded up the car and took off for Destin. Yolo & Spring Break '13, baby. 

The weather on Saturday was simply breathtaking. It was about 74 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. We camped out on the beach from 9:30-3:00. Luke slept for the most part under the umbrella. We had him covered up really well, so he wouldn't get any sun. 

Destin is a pretty special place to us. It is where Jeff and I took our first trip together...where he proposed... and where we were married. It was only fitting to take Luke there at an early age. 

So, from the snow... to the sand...our little man had a very busy week. Here's to hoping the excitement wore him out and he will start sleeping a little better.

Meanwhile, back in Birmingham... Bud managed to light himself on fire, melt his Mercedes key, and boycott Sears for life. But, that's a blog for another day....