I heard of this website Productive Parenting on another blog that I read and thought I would try it out. So, I signed up and I get an email everyday with an activity to do with Deacon. Most days the activity is like read a book, sing this song or something to that effect. But every great once in a while they have a good idea…well, a good idea that I have not thought of.

One of the first emails I got said the activity for the day was finger painting. Keep in mind you enter in the child’s age and it is suppose to be age appropriate. There was no way I was giving my baby who puts everything in his mouth paint, even though they did suggest non-toxic paint…still not happening, not even in the bathtub (that was another suggestion if you didn’t want to deal with the mess). A couple days after reading this I thought Deacon could do this and use baby food. That way if he ate it, it wouldn’t be a big deal. So, one night after dinner we sat him in the middle of the kitchen table, stripped down in nothing but his diaper in his bumbo seat. With Bryan standing close by with the camera, I put some baby food on the tray and at first he was reluctant to touch it and he was very gentle.



Then all of a sudden, SPLAT!



He slapped his hand down on the tray and baby food flew everywhere…all over the table, walls, floor and Bryan.



We died laughing and I think it scared Deacon because he just sat completely still and didn’t know what to do. He played with the food a little more and seemed to have fun doing so. Once he was done, he went straight to the bath tub. For the next month, little spots of orange were showing up on the walls and baseboards. Just when I would think I had found the last one I would spot another. Yes, this happened over a month ago and I forgot to post the pictures. Sorry a little late, but you know what they say better late than never.

So was this Productive parenting? I don’t know, but he had fun and I am sure we will try it again someday.

More pictures of Deacon finger painting with baby food.

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Today we started the transition to take Deacon off the bottle at daycare. I sent one bottle and one sippy cup of milk, and of course a back up bottle just in case. I told his teachers that they could pick which time to give him the sippy cup, either in the morning or afternoon. I told them I didn’t think he would have any issues with it, but with Deacon you never know…that boy has a mind of his own and he does things his way. The teachers agreed and one even said he will probably do just fine for about 3 days and then decide he doesn’t want to do it like that anymore. Yes, she knows him very well. That sounds just like something Deacon would do. When I went to feed him at lunch they said he took his sippy cup of milk with out any problems this morning. Day 1 was a success! We will see how tomorrow goes. I am thinking if this week goes well, we might just go ahead and take the plunge and start next week with no bottles. This is where I need some expert advice…those of you who have went through this, is that too quick? Should I make if more gradual and wait a few more weeks? Or just cut the cord and don’t look back?

On another note, I think Deacon is getting his second tooth. He has been pretty crabby the last few days and a little white dot is appearing on his bottom gum next to his 1st little tooth. Hopefully it comes through soon.



Here are some pictures of a little photo shoot Deacon and Bryan had after his bath last night. We always laugh at him when he makes these funny faces but I am afraid that when he gets his 9 month pictures taken I am going to wish he wasn’t looking so silly.


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What a weekend! I have thoroughly enjoyed my 4 day weekend and wish it was like this every week. I think I could handle 3 days of work and 4 days off, wouldn’t that be nice

Thursday night MawMaw and PawPaw Loker came for a visit. They were due to arrive about 9 p.m., and Deacon had taken a late nap so he was able to stay up to see them.



Friday the housekeeper came for the 1st time! We got up early and headed out to run lots of errands. I had to pickup dry cleaning and dog food, and sign Deacon up for swim lessons (more to come on that later). We met Bryan for lunch then headed home so PawPaw Ron could baby sit while the girls went grocery shopping (and we squeezed some shoe shopping too). Friday night we went down to Riverfest. It was our first time attending and I will have to say we seen a lot of interesting people there. Deacon enjoyed riding in his stroller and even propped his feet up on the try to get more comfy. The rest of the weekend we mostly hung out around the house and worked on home projects.



We had lots of fun with MawMaw and PawPaw and can’t wait to see them in a few days when we go to Illinois. They tried to convince us to let Deacon and/or Maggie go with them. We just couldn’t bare the thought of being away from Deacon for 4 days. Maggie on the other hand we would have let them take her but she is in need of a haircut. The poor little puppy can hardly see. MawMaw even accomplished something that we have not been able to…she taught Deacon to “pat-a-cake” on demand.



Deacon loves being able to get his toys out of his toy box, which is actually our ottoman. We searched forever for the perfect toy box and couldn’t find exactly what we wanted. After a while we decided that since all of his toys are in the living room anyway we could just empty the blankets out of the ottoman and use it as a toy box. So far it has worked out great!



Deacon even likes sitting in it and playing with his toys.



Here are some more pictures.

Last but certainly not least, we want to say thank you to all of those who have served our country. You take on more than most people know. And to those who have loved ones are in the armed forces you too deserve our thanks. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have your husband, wife, parent or child away at war. I have witnessed some friends going through it and I can honestly say it takes special people to do what you do. We thank God for you and your family.


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This past month it seems like Deacon has changed so much. He still has a great little personality and is a very happy baby. He loves to make people smile.



What is Deacon up to at 9 months:

- Army crawling…he moves so fast, it’s crazy!
- Pulling up on things
- Shaking his head no…he has started doing this when he doesn’t like something, like getting his diaper changed.
- Throwing little tantrums…this usually happens when I put him down and he wants me to hold him. Sometimes he does this when he is told “no” and something is taken away from him.
- Eating real food…he has had peas, macaroni and bread. He loves bread, just like his mommy. He still prefers that mommy spoon feeds him. He has been known to not feed himself but when I put the food on a spoon and give it to him and he eats it up.
- He still loves taking baths, riding in the car and taking walks. He absolutely loves being outside.
- And last but not least…Deacon has his 1st tooth! It started breaking through last weekend, and boy was it rough. You can still barely see it and Deacon really doesn’t like showing it off.

I know I say this every month but we are so blessed to be his parents. Everyday we treasure every moment we get to spend with him.


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Can you believe it…Kris Allen is the American Idol! We are so happy for him and his family. I can not even imagine the emotions they are going through tonight. Six months ago he was just a regular college student who led worship at New Life and now he is the American Idol…amazing!

We have enjoyed watching and voting this year and it is kinda bittersweet it is coming to an end. What will we do on Tuesday and Wednesday nights? I am so overwhelmed with the number of people back in Illinois who heard that we went to church with Kris and got behind him and supported him. You guys are great! I had tons of text messages on my phone tonight and if I didn’t get back to you I’m sorry. We were at a friend’s house watching the results. We are excited beyond words and can’t wait for his record to come out…it’s going to be great! God has truly blessed them.

At some point tonight hopefully I will be able to sleep. I don't think it will happen soon

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