Our first "child"

Meet our first "child" - Jasmine. She arrived in our home in May 2000 - that is a story for another day. She's had a pretty traumatic last 2 years as she has adjusted to two new additions to the family that get A LOT more attention than her. She has quietly faded into the background taking whatever attention we send her way. While she mopes, she has never been mean to the kids. I often wonder what goes through that doggie mind as she gets booted from "her" chair so we can rock a crying one or she gets put in the bedroom when other children come to play. There are moments I would venture she resents these new members of our family and the obvious loss of her role as queen. Today would give her great reason for just such a sentiment -

It probably started last night in her mind as much crying occurred in our house. Trying to get everyone settled, she got shut out of the master bedroom and was blocked by a gate from joining me and the boy in the kids' room. She just sat whining on the other side of gate - poor girl.

This morning Clay headed off for Upward football pictures and his game. The kids and I followed about an hour and half later (9:20ish). The kids and Clay got home about 10:30 while I headed off to a baby shower. I got home about noon, we ate, and the kids and I napped. About 3:15 p.m. I realized I hadn't seen Jasmine for a while and we began searching. We searched the entire house and she was no where to be found. The gates were closed so we knew she didn't run away. We began another search of the house, and found her STILL IN HER CRATE quietly waiting. (Note that her crate is in the master bedroom - where the girl and I napped!) In the craziness of getting the kids inside and settled, Clay completely forgot to let her out; and then neither of us noticed her absence for 5 hours! Poor girl - she never made a peep. We felt awful so she was given a few pieces of pepperoni and loved on for a bit.

What great parents we are, huh?

Aunt Virginia and Katy, please don't call the Humane Society on us...we really do love her...it's just easy to forget one who doesn't cry for your attention like our two legged children do!)

Meet my teachers

Tonight I got to take Mommy, Daddy, the girl and Grannylou to my school for open house. I was a bit confused by the whole thing, but it was fun showing them my pictures and the things I do every Tuesday and Thursday. Mommy wanted to take a picture of my teachers, Miss Joanne (next to me) and Miss Linda, and I thought you might like to meet them. They are a lot of fun and give great hugs. They are kind to give me a little extra TLC as I am still adjusting to this new routine, but after a few minutes I join in the fun and have a great time. I have made some new friends too - Zachary, Bailey (I knew her from church), Victoria, Mollie, Christianna, and Zack. Victoria really seems to like me, and even told her daddy that she has a boyfriend (ie. me)! I also got to show everyone the playground and play with some of my friends. I like school (just not saying good-bye to Mommy)! I say it all the time now - School is fun!

A Day at the Zoo

It's half-price day at the zoo so we ventured there this morning with some friends. The last time we went (almost a year ago) the boy didn't really get what it was all about, but today he seemed to really enjoy himself. The gal did great being along for the ride so I'm thinking we may have to do this more often. Here are LOTS of pictures of our fun...











Feeding the birds was quite an adventure. The boy got quite a kick out of watching it all and examining the seed stick. We both jumped when a bird flew right by us! Then we headed to the kids play area. Freedom for the kids to run and climb and AC for the mamas!










Our last adventure was riding the train (a fun way to get back to the front of the park). He wasn't too sure about it while waiting in line, but he had a blast once we got moving. Can't you hear him? "Choo-choo." He did have a bit of a meltdown when it came time to get off, but it was a great way to end a great day!

4:1

These were my odds tonight - 4 kids (ages 4, 2, 14 months and 7 months) to 1 adult for 2 hours. Honestly, it was pretty easy. The youngest girls were down by 7:30 and the older two played well together. Moments like this make me think 4 kids wouldn't be so bad, but then I am sobered by reality when the other mama arrives and takes two of them home. No one would be coming to remove some of them if they were all ours! You can do anything for 2 hours, right? Here are the younger girls "playing together." Don't you love the hair in sweet Lauren's face? What you didn't see is how she maneuvered her way into the BebePod - quite comical!








Here are the older two building a tower. Still pictures didn't capture Bethany's (or Sunny as the boy affectionately called her tonight) adorable "We're building a tower" song. The boy did so well sharing his toys and working together. Look closely at the last picture - Bethany is helping him put the block on and he didn't mind a bit!

Look what I can do!

The girl enjoyed a graham cracker for the first time today. She did great getting it in her mouth, but found the texture quite interesting. She seemed so excited one moment, then quite intrigued, then excited, and so on. She also did great with the sippy cup today which is a good thing since she doesn't like a bottle at all! (Her love of the cup today may be related to its contents - juice - so we'll see what she thinks when it's not quite as sweet!)











She is quite the ham like her brother - stopping her play to pose and smile.








And I caught her newest trick on camera too (this may require enlarging the pictures by double-clicking them). She is now consistently getting on her knees and elbows rocking back and forth. You can see how hard she is working - she so wants to crawl. She does get some forward momentum, but it's more accident than intentional at this point. She's pretty stubborn so I have a feeling we aren't too far from getting it...but we'll see - she may just surprise me!

Fun filled Saturday mornings

Our Saturdays once again this fall have a fun morning twist: Upward football! This year, Coach Clay assumed the head coaching spot of the Bulldogs, a 1-3 grade team. Needless to say it is quite an adventure for all involved. The Bulldogs are currently 3-0, and their statue of liberty play is a killer. I must also give props to Assistant Coach David who runs with the boys when they break free! Here are the Bulldogs and Coach Clay in action...









The kids have enjoyed themselves at the two games we've attended (illness had us miss one week). It is quite bright and often warm, but they enjoy the time outdoors and all the activity. Our boy has a fascination with the cheerleaders - here he is cheering along with them as they did a halftime "show."










Here are the coaches' sons "playing" together. We're hoping a friendship will soon develop!








Coach Clay giving out stars at the end of the game - this is where the coaches recognize the efforts of the team and most importantly the Christ-like attitude of the boys. Then you have our two tired munchkins - it was hot without any wind (a strange day in this land) - and they had had their fill of football for one day!

Lovin' my boy

It's a big night here in our house - the boy tee-teed in the potty!!! We put him on it every night in hopes that it'll just happen - and tonight it did! He got the funniest look on his face and then I heard it. I called Clay to join us and we celebrated. I'm not sure the boy got why we were so excited, but at least he didn't get scared by our celebration.

Then during prayer time I asked him what he wanted to thank God for (up to this point he's only said names of family or friends). Tonight he calmly replied, "chicken."

Out of the mouth of babes - melt my heart!

(PS - make sure to listen to the song I talk about in the previous post...it's great!)

Song to share

Okay - you MUST listen to this song...Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin. Head to the bottom of the blog to the playlist, turn your speakers on and select it to play. AMAZING! (Karen, you're gonna love this if you haven't already heard it!)

What a gift God has given us - His grace...and now our chains are gone. Chains of defeat, chains of despair, chains of guilt, chains of pride, chains of selfishness, chains of sorrow, chains of the past...I may not be rid of my battle of selfishness, pride, guilt and more, BUT I now have the power of Christ to keep those chains from taking hold of me again.

Sing loud - sing proud - and know the victory we have when we give our lives to the ONE AND ONLY GOD!

Much to my surprise...

Our boy knows how to lock the door into the garage. Fortunately this wasn't a hard lesson learned...I had my keys with me (for no real reason) as I was getting the stroller out of the car for a walk. It could have been an interesting morning with my kids locked inside the house. God love him - he was just being a helper and imitating us - but I'm not sure which window I would have broken! And yes, the child lock is now on the door...

Too cute to be Tupac

Clay calls this the Tupac outfit due to the bandanna - it is on loan from sweet Emma - and I just love it! I do think she is WAY TOO CUTE to be Tupac and so I had to take pictures. LOVIN' IT!

(For those unaware, Tupac was a rapper who often wore a bandanna tied in just this fashion on his head. Tupac is no longer with us, but his "trend" lives on...)

Small milestones

Today was a day of small milestones -

1. We arrived at school early this morning (I learned this is NOT a good thing for our boy) which gave our boy time to get worked up over my leaving. However, when Ms. Joanne opened the door, he walked toward her with arms above his head asking for a hug. While my heart hurt for his sadness, I was excited to see his comfort level with Ms. Joanne. I knew he would be okay - and he was having a great time when I went to pick him up.

2. Our girl and I ventured to Wal-Mart during school. She sat in the buggy seat like a big girl for the first time. She is still so wee (she was wearing a 0-3 month outfit today!), but she looked so old sitting there so steady. It took my breath away. She's growing up so fast! A woman even commented on how well she was sitting for not even being 7 months old. I also discovered that she is just as much of a people magnet as her brother. Many people, children included, commented on her as we walked the aisles. She was even the talk of the checkout line as she smiled big again and again! Our next step is to see how our boy does in the big part of the buggy - something he's never experienced. I think I'll take Dad along for that adventure!

3. We got the joy of going to dinner with one of my cousins who was in town for the night. We sat at the table with both (BOTH) of our children in high chairs. Another first for our girl. Again, it took my breath away. Our boy didn't quite know what to do about his sister sitting beside him, but she did great. We've entered a new phase...

Nothing major...won't write it in any baby book...but milestones none the less...and things other mothers will understand why they mean something to me.

Our over-achiever

If you haven't read the previous post, please do so to get the full story...

When I arrived to pick the boy up, I learned that one accident report in a day isn't good enough for our over-achiever. Thirty-five minutes after the first fall and just moments before I arrived, he hit his head on the table trying to reach the cookie he dropped. He didn't cry this time, but it did leave quite a mark right between his eyes! The knot on the top of his head isn't huge, but it is a definite knot. Day #2 and I had to sign two separate accident reports...I'm beginning to be amazed we haven't had a trip to the ER...

I didn't realize I was such a prophet when I suggested we might have a few more of these this year!

Eventful day #2

This morning was just as traumatic for the boy - he started whimpering when we hit the hallway! He was in full blown mode by the time we reached the door, but Ms. Joanne quickly came to his side. She says he just likes to sit with her for a bit and get a lay of the land before getting involved (sounds like another man that lives in our home!). [SIDENOTE - Clay would like to add something here: Just for the record, I do NOT have to sit with Ms. Joanne and get the lay of anything. I have only seen the woman twice and we have no involvement. I love my wife dearly and would never do anything with Ms. Joanne despite what my wife’s words may imply.]

Back to my story:

And he's now had an accident report filled out that I must sign when I get there! A call from Ms. Joanne informed me that he tripped over his own two feet and hit his head on the playground. I'll see just how big/small the bump is when I pick him up in a bit. She said he only cried about 30 seconds and was giving her big smiles as we talked.

Something tells me we may have a few more of these this year...

Wasting time

WARNING: This is a big gripe session so you might want to skip it. I've been on quite a roll today about girl's clothes not being as practical as boys (they just aren't as interchangeable...and they each require shoes and bows and such!) and more...this is just my latest rant. So you may want to just skip this!

I think I'm an expert at this - wasting time - and the Internet is simply fuel on my fire. I think blogs are great, don't get me wrong. I can easily share what is happening in our world without flooding in boxes with stories and pictures. I don't have to re size pictures or worry about annoying people with things I love about my kids. But many days I wind up wasting time reading about other people I've never met. Yes, it can be encouraging to hear I'm not the only mom dealing with this or that, but I find myself getting sucked in unable to find my way out. And then I find myself feeling like I know this person or that when I've never spoken to them. Anyone can post whatever on a blog. Just because it appears a person is strong and a creative parent doesn't mean she never battles boredom or feeling lost. While our kids look adorable in the pictures, you don't experience the tantrums or screaming. And it's just another way for us women to compare ourselves. (I'm rambling, aren't I?) Anyway, I guess I just needed to confess my wastefulness today. Instead of resting, paying bills, cleaning house, organizing, exercising, spending time with God or a myriad of other things, I've spent the last hour plus reading about people I know and some I don't. Now my kids will be up shortly, I am still tired and there is still much to do; yet my kids will need my attention when they greet the afternoon. So much for living up to my gifts today! Fortunately there is tomorrow...

It's a BIG day

It's a big day for these two boys...one turns 30 and the other started school!

Clay has had almost a week of celebration including a boy's trip to Starkville (with detours to Tuscaloosa and Memphis), an SEC football game, more ribs than one should partake in one day, an evening with close friends, a family gathering, and more to come. I think it's been a good birthday for him...and he's finally as old as me!

The boy was a bit traumatized this morning as we dropped him off with Ms. Joanne, but a friend checked on him later and he was doing well. It's a new era in our world, but I am excited about having a few hours a week alone with the girl and having the option to run errands with only one child! They both looked adorable this morning so the camera had to come out!

UPDATE: Ms. Joanne said he was fine once she picked him up and loved on him a bit. She told him that if he needed a hug at any point just to come let her or Ms. Linda know...and she said a couple of times he walked up to her, held up his arms, and said, "hug." He wasn't too fond of finger painting, but that is no surprise to me. He is usually more intrigued with stuff on his hands than what he can do with it. He did put his hands on Ms. Joanne's and move them around the paper though. He was so excited to see me, but got upset that he had to wait a minute before coming out the door as they gathered his stuff. I'll know better for next time. I stayed after the other parents left to talk with Ms. Joanne and Ms. Linda (which is how I got all this info), and he gladly gave them both "five"; then, on his own, walked over to hug Ms. Joanne before we left. That melted my heart, and will make the tears that I am sure will come Thursday easier to handle.