My Sweet Boy

We have had a great day today. The morning was a little rough at times, as J has not been feeling well, and his patience level is low. But after his nap, he was a dream boy! R left for work in the early afternoon, so it was just me and J. We had a great time playing games and acting silly. Then we went outside to play.

With all the cool weather and sunshine we've had, we are getting some great fall colors in the trees around here, and more and more leaves falling all the time. J has really begun to notice the leaves lately and often brings me one to show me what color it is. He is quite proud of his discoveries, even taking them with him in the car when we go someplace, and taking them to Mammo's house to show her. Today we found some really dark purple ones, almost black. He was quite intrigued. I decided it would be fun to start keeping some of his little specimins for him, so today we started a leaf collection. I taped up a big piece of paper in his bedroom and taped today's leaves to the paper. He was quite impressed with the whole idea and immediately wanted to go back outside for more leaves.

While we were out, he discovered a rogue tree growing in the fence and began pulling leaves off of it. Suddenly, something occured to him and he came running over to me, leaf in hand and announced, "here, Mommy. It's a heart!" I looked at it, and sure enough, the leaf was the shape of a perfect heart. This was the first natural treasure my son has ever presented me with. Yes, I am going to dry it and keep it forever. Call me sentimental.

Our old dog Spike was sitting between my feet observing all this. He is over 13 years old and has developed some aches and pains. His feet bother him. He has a large benign tumor on one of his front paws. In the course of all the fun with leaves, J accidentally stepped on Spike's foot when he walked up to me. Spike of course took to yelping and I told James that he needed to be careful of Spike because he had stepped on his foot and that hurts Spike. James looked down at the dog contemplating this, and suddenly got down on his knees, wrapped his arms around him, and began telling him in the most soothing voice, "It's ok Spike. It's ok. It's ok Spike..." On and on he went, comforting his little furry friend. My heart just melted to see the tenderness he is learning and the compassion in his little heart. I love my little boy so much!

Random Photos

Every once in a while, his hair actually stays nice and combed and laying down....for a minute!












Here's hoping he never gets this close to another one!















According to J, these are not cattle. Apparently, anything with horns qualifies as "mooses." LOL

Happy Update!

Well, after almost four months of not being able to blog, I'm back on the web! Super excited! There is really no way to catch up on the last four months of life so the best thing to do is just start at today and go forward. I will sprinkle in some pictures here and there from these last few months, as I've had some really good ones.

Today is kind of a lounging day. R is home for a few more days, and it sure is nice having him around. Since I've been laid off, he has gone to OTR (over the road) work to make extra money and pick up the slack. I sure do appreciate this, but it does get lonely! We have no plans today at all. T said he might come over, but I'm not holding my breath. It would be nice though. Haven't seen him in quite a while.

J and I are still in our PJ's. He's watching PBS Kids and, well, you know what I'm doing. R has been cleaning the kitchen and washing dishes! Now he is lounging and reading his book. Just the kind of Saturday I love! It's been a long week and some relaxing is certainly in order. I will have to get dressed soon to go out for some milk and caffeine. I know, I know....but I still haven't kicked it yet. Perhaps is I ever have another baby it will be inspiration enough.....I don't know.

Well, here comes my Boo with some building blocks. I better give him some face time. I'll be seeing you here regularly! Have a great weekend and get lots of hugs!

Sad Update

Well, I don't know who all follows this blog, but I assume that most if not all of you already know that I've been laid off from my job. Effective one week ago today. This sucks so huge! But, we will stay optimistic and make the best of it. However, since I have no internet at home, I wanted to let everyone know that posts here will be sparse for a while. Right now I am using my mom's computer and little man is enjoying some time with Mammo and Papa. You should have seen the child light up like a Christmas tree when we came here! He misses his Mammo and Papa!

We've had one full week together now. It's been heaven, and tiring, and a big learning curve for the both of us. Let me tell you, this stay at home mom stuff is NOT for the weak! I've been taking some of the best videos and photos on my phone, though. One of these days when I have more time, I'll try to see if I can get them to upload onto the blog.

There is so much more to say, but honestly, I'm just to emotionally wasted to say it. I will try to keep a bit of a journal on the computer at home and just bring it over here to copy paste and post once or twice a week or so, that way you can all keep up with our adventures. In the mean time, know that we are ok, we are safe in the arms of a loving and powerful God and He will not let us fall!

See you soon.

Playing Catch Up

Ok, so I have been lax in my posting. I know this. I am sharing some pictures with you that are long overdue. Also, my oldest son T has come to stay with us for about a month or so. He and his fiancée are transferring here to continue their school and since he doesn’t have a job, he is staying here to look for one while she stays there to finish out her time at the job she has there. It has been really nice to have him around again. I’ve missed him soooo much! J is so in love with having Bubba around! He will be so lost when T gets his own place again! J wants to do everything that Bubba does. T is still on the learning curve of living with a toddler. Things like, watch your language, he picks it up INSTANTLY! And don’t leave large cups of soda and other drinks near the edge of the counter top or table. And close the basement door EVERY time you go through it! So far no near misses or anything, but it does take a bit to get used to when you haven’t been around from day one.

I had a molar that was rotten and falling apart and giving me fits of stabbing ice-pick like pain. I had it removed on the 15th. It was a difficult extraction. I have bad teeth but GREAT roots! Lucky me! He ended up breaking off the tooth and having to drill out below the gums. Subsequently, I ended up with an infection and a swollen and painful jaw. It looked like a ping pong ball was stuck in my cheek! I went back in on the 22nd and got some meds and am feeling much better now. It’s down to about a marble sized knot and I don’t even think it’s visible anymore. Still a little tender to the touch and can’t open my jaw real wide, but much much better! I’m supposed to go back in again tomorrow so he can make sure it’s healing properly. He was very concerned on Friday and didn’t hide it well, though I could tell he was trying. He mentioned the possibility of having to re-open the wound and clean it out. Um……LET’S NOT DO THAT!!!!!

R is doing well. Work seems to be going ok. Not great, but ok. Quarterly self employment taxes are due soon, and that’s always stressful. Especially with emergency oral surgeon bills in the mix! I know you are expected to pay your portion of the bill at the time you have the work done, and was prepared for that. But they didn’t even let me go back into the room till I’d paid them! That’s rather ridiculous, I think!

Thanks so much to all our friends and family who chipped in and helped us, we were finally able to get J the playset that we wanted to buy for his first birthday! LOL It is assembled, and the underground dog fence is installed to keep the dogs from going to the bathroom on, around, and under it. Next project is to put up and fill the inflatable pool that his great aunt got him for his first birthday. Last year we didn’t put it up for fear of the dogs messing it up. Now, we made an area inside the dog fence with the playset and I can’t wait to get it filled and warmed up so we can splash and play in the backyard! Woo Hoo! Gotta love summer time! When J can run himself silly outdoors he sleeps so much better.

We had a lot of rain here the last several weeks. There were a great many homes in our town that had water leaking into the basements. We were one of them! It has been a couple of weeks since it started. Water kept coming in for about five or six days. It has finally stopped, but we are still working on trying to dry out the carpet and keep the mold from taking over. There is a lot of mold already. It started FAST! It’s on the walls, doorframes, and pretty much anywhere that the furniture legs touch the carpet. And there were some boxes that got moldy as well. We have been running fans and a dehumidifier and have been spraying the mold spots with bleach water. Hopefully we can catch this and get it stopped before it becomes a health hazard in our home. Because we have no recourse to pay for any kind of professional help to get rid of it. Our homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it because the water was from flooding and not a burst pipe.

Bella

Everyone please join me in fervent prayer for Isabella.  (Please see links on the right side of this page, if you haven’t already)  She’s been doing so well, and everything was going great in preparatioin for her return home to Florida next week.  I arrived at work today and found an email in my inbox that had been sent at 3am.  All it said was that Bella was in surgery again.  I haven’t received a response to my request for more information yet, but I’m sure things are hectic there and taking care of Bella is of course more important than checking and sending email!  So, please join me and pray your hearts out for whatever is going on with our girl today! 

 

Let’s storm the gates, prayer warriors! 

 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

Kittens, Mud puddles, and Mountains…

Tuesday was our first weekly family BBQ of the season. Great fun stuff. It was a bit misty and wet out, but not too bad. J is totally in love with being at Grandpa’s house. It’s like Disney land for a two year old. Especially now. There are 17 little baby kittens there right now, all residing in the garage for easy toddler access. We have to observe closely and intervene frequently in order to avoid a real life portrayal of “Of Mice and Men.” J is totally in love with cats. And Grandpa’s house is the only place he really comes in contact with them. So, 17 baby cats that can’t run away from him before he can catch them…….is heaven for him!

After we got there J was roaming about the place. I’m surprised by how much more I have relaxed in recent months in regards to his safety. I don’t hover and feel the need to be at arm’s length all the time. Of course, I’m on top of him when he heads in the direction of the road, and I always have my eyes on him. But I no longer envision him tripping and poking an eye out on every tiny stick in the yard! So, when he took off across the backyard giggling in delight, I was content to stand back and allow him to enjoy the feeling of freedom. When he got about half way across the yard, much farther than I was capable of catching up with quickly, I suddenly remembered something my dad had mentioned to me that morning…….standing water in the back yard. Yep. At that very moment, I see J barrel full speed into the puddle, splashing water up in great sprays as high as his head and laughing himself silly! Then he fell over. Of course, this does not phase a little boy. He simply stood up and kept on running, while I slowly sauntered across the year shaking my head and hoping there were plenty of extra clothes in the diaper bag. It was a cool evening. As he neared the field at the edge of the property, I yelled out to him and told him he’d gone far enough. I didn’t want to chase him out through that muddy mess! We’ve had rains almost daily for weeks on end now. Thankfully, he listened to me and turned around to come back…….through the puddle once more. His grin was classic, his delight almost tangible. His shoe became mired in the mud and this confused him. He pulled on it, lost his balance, and fell once again into the water. He was soaked on one arm and from the waist down. It was all I could do to wrangle him into the house to get him changed. I wonder if the neighbors thought someone was being tortured. He was furious. I was thankful that I’d just bought some plastic shoes for him the previous weekend! Simply rinse, dry, and re-shoe! He only owns one pair of tennis shoes that fit him, and had he been wearing those, they’d have taken forever to dry out!

By the time we were done with wardrobe change, it was about time to eat. Everything was set up in the shop and J was all to happy to run out there looking for “Gampa,” after one last visit with the kittens, of course. We got him inside and quickly pulled the doors closed so we could contain him. Supper was yummy, but J was being picky as usual. He refused his hot dog and deviled egg, opting instead to fill up on chips and puffcorn. He even turned down a cookie! (Yes, I checked him for fever, temp was normal.) Of course, he was done and ready to explore long before the adults were done eating and talking. Everyone else seemed to worry and to gasp when he approached a stack of boards, a bucket of tools, or whatever else they deemed a hazard. I just told him to dust himself off after he fell. These are the same folks who used to laugh at me for being overly protective. How did this change occur? LOL

Uncle J decided to provide some distraction and attempted to teach little J to play pool. With vigilance, he managed to convince J that the balls belong on the table, not the floor. This was confusing to little J at first, having been praised for a “good throw!” for the past year! But soon he was happily rolling balls across the table and he figured out how to retrieve them from within the pockets. Grampa also had a cool remote controlled car and that was of great interest for a while.

Eventually, the party began to break up and we cleaned up the table and opened the doors, releasing J into the thrill of dusk. He shouted “on the mountain!” and ran for the sand pile. Grunting and groaning, he edged his way to the top of the pile, clinging for support when his feet slipped repeatedly in the perilously loose gravel. He ascended safely to the peak of his mountain, steadied himself and stood tall at the apex, chest puffed out with pride in his accomplishment. His head slowly turned side to side, and I beamed with motherly pride watching him ‘take in’ the view from this new elevation. He was quite intrigued, as you can surely imagine. After all, the world is a very different place when you are two whole feet “up in the sky!” Always up for adventure, he then ran headlong down the back side of his mountain, and invited his Gampa to climb back up with him and share this glorious wonder. After several more feats of climbing skill, I announced it was time to go home, and he lovingly passed out hugs and kisses to everyone. I strapped him into his carseat and all the way home he chatted with me all about his “dirty shoes…in the dirt.” When we got home, we dumped about a quarter cup of sand out of his shoes, stripped him naked, and he had a nice bath.

All in all, it was a fabulous evening for the both of us, and we look forward to having fun next week as well. Tonight, it’s fun on the farm, as our Auntie T is home for a brief visit and we’ll gather at Grams’ house for dinner. I’m sure J will take me for a walk up the drive to the landlord’s barn. He finds it quite amazing to be able to see a truck, a van, a boat, a tractor, hay and wheat all in the same location! Not to mention the cows just around the corner. And of course, the joy of hugging the neck of a dog who is big enough to stand eye to eye with him. God bless Cocoa for her patience and sweet temper. I promise to get some new pics up soon. I know I’ve been a slacker in that department.

God’s richest blessings to you today.

Happy Birthday to Boo!

Well, I spent so much time just enjoying my son’s party with him yesterday, that I didn’t take many pictures at all. It was wonderful, if not quite like I envisioned. I’d hoped to get him to take a morning nap, but that did not happen. So he was quite tired and grouchy and started asking to go to bed just about the time everyone arrived and started eating lunch! Oops. So we quickly changed direction and had him start opening his gifts. To my delight, he really got into tearing off the paper. It was so much more fun that way! He received some money towards the purchase of a playset for the backyard, several videos, a slinky, a motorized guy on a four wheeler, a little people school bus, some books, a new savings account, one outfit, a motorized Thomas train set, and a bubble mower. He is quite enamored with all his new treasures, especially the train set. I think I’ll be having to put that away in the evenings after he goes to sleep. He was quite distraught this morning when he had to leave and go to Mammo’s house instead of playing with his “tracks.”

We had some cupcakes and ice cream, which are his favorite things. But he was in a mood and having too much fun with his new toys to eat any. So we didn’t even use the number two candle I bought, or sing happy birthday at the party. Oh well. He doesn’t know the difference yet.

Today is the day, and in just about 10 minutes my baby will be for sure and officially two years old! How did that happen? I think I shall tape my eyelids open now, lest I blink and he turn three tomorrow!

Funny Kid!

Ok, so last night I’m sitting in Boo’s room in the rocking chair and we’re looking at and talking about his Thomas and Friends poster for the 20 trillionth time. (He likes to name all the engines. Percy’s his favorite.) I farted. He stopped and looked right at me and said, “Whoa! Wassat noise?”

Not two minutes later he burped and blamed it on the train! He said, “uh-oh, Percy!”

I think I have my work cut out for me.

Life and Times...

Ok. So I know I’ve been derelict in my duty of keeping everyone up to date with out goings on. I apologize. I have no excuse. I just haven’t made the time.

Our young man is getting to be quite the…..well, young man! Ha Ha. He is growing up so darn fast I can hardly believe it. Seems like every day he bowls me over with some new discovery, adventure, or vocabulary. His speech is getting to be so clear, and I have completely abandoned all attempts to keep track of how many words are in his vocabulary. He adores being the little helper. He likes to push the vacuum back and forth, use the broom, carry out the trash, and he insists on pouring drinks for himself and others. He’ll bring me a cup ¾ full and ask for more just because he wants to be able to pour it. He says “wanna help!” He is also quite good at asserting his independence by requesting “wanna walk” and he knows that when he walks he has to “hol mah hand.” One of his favorite activities is to check the “muh-box” for mail. He knows that we have to stop and look both ways for cars before crossing the street and he will actually look in both directions. As we’ve never yet had to wait for a car, I’m not sure he has any idea what we are looking for, but he looks anyway. He can take off his coat if you unzip it for him. He can pull his shirt on and off his head. We are working on pulling his pants up and down. He can open the fridge and very much enjoys doing so. He will open the fridge and remove the bottle of juice and set it on the counter, then close the fridge. After we pour it, he will repeat the process to put it back, saying “in uh fwige.”

Yesterday he just blew me away. I got to mom’s house to pick him up and she said, “Tell mommy who you saw today.” Now, she does this a lot, but he usually has no idea what is expected of him in response to such an abstract and open ended question. But yesterday he immediately responded, “Gwamma. Gwamma’s house.” He had indeed visited Grandma’s house that afternoon. (I must explain here that Boo has five grandmas and great grandmas that he is familiar with. One more that I need to do a better job of visiting because he doesn’t know her. They each have their own distinct names. Mammo, Grams, Grammy, Gro-Gro, and Grandma. Yesterday was the first time he’d actually said Grandma!)

Then as we were getting into the car, mom told me that earlier in the day, out of the clear blue with no prompting, he had COUNTED TO SIX! As she’s telling me the story, he’s listening, and next thing I know, I hear him doing it again! “One, Two, Fwee, Fow, Five, Six!” Yes, I cried. I’m a sap.

Last weekend out neighbor came and mowed our yard for us again. Don’t know what I’d do without these particular neighbors. They are the best ever. But this left a TON of grass clippings laying in the yard. When Boo and I went to play in the yard, he got into a spot where the clippings were ankle deep on him. He realized this, and started having loads of fun. He was picking them up and tossing them in the air. I decided to get out the rake and start raking them up. He decided to run through the piles like autumn leaves and jump and kick, and grab handfuls and throw them in the air. And throw them on the dog. And try to eat them. Turns out grass clippings aren’t very tasty. And they don’t spit out easily. And when he tried to wipe them out of his mouth, he only added new ones from his hand. It was great entertainment for the both of us. Then we had to take a bath together as soon as we went inside. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a worse bathtub ring, but I know it’s only the first of many. Boyhood is a wonderful thing. Truly wonderful.

Next Monday our Boosie Boy will be two. Can you believe that? We are having his party this weekend. I’ll try to get pictures up from it before the month is out. LOL Till next time, take care and don’t give up checking in on us. We’re still here.

My son the nudist....

I’ve created a monster.  Every time we take his clothes and diaper off he wrenches away and takes off at a dead run through the house, going in circles endlessly while hollering “NAKED NAKED NAKED” and giggling.

 

Last night he tripped and fell and I said, “Be careful.  You don’t want a rug burn on your penis!”  He got up on all fours and then looked up at me with the oddest expression, and then down at the floor, and then up at me like he was expecting to be in trouble.  I looked and he’d peed on the floor.  LOL  I told him it was ok and I would clean it up.  Then he jumped up and commenced the naked race again.

 

Weeeeee!!!!

I didn't tell you all, but a few weeks ago our little family took a mini vacation. I have a few very dear friends that I met online. I know, it sounds corny, but it's true. This is a group of mothers with whom I share, laugh, cry, rage, worry, and celebrate everything life throws at us. We've been through a lot together, and sometimes I don't know what I would do without them! Well, one of them who lives out east was coming here to Kansas for the KU-Texas game. We decided to have a meet-up that weekend for all who could come. I was so excited! Sadly, all that financial crap hit us right before that so we couldn't afford to go.

But the really cool thing was that one of my dear darling friends was so kind as to send us gas money, got us a hotel room, and gave us money for food and entertainment when we got there! I don’t think words could ever express how much that generosity meant to us! She is such and amazing and dear friend.

So, we all met up at this place that’s similar to a Chuck E Cheese, but it has more amusement park style rides in it also. It’s all indoor. We got an all day wristband for J-man for $6! Woo Hoo! He could ride all the rides he wanted all day, and for the rides where a parent needed to go with him, we could ride for free! How awesome is that? So, guess what? Our little J is going to be a roller coaster lover like his momma and his grandpa! We had the best time! He and I rode together on a roller coaster type ride that went in a circle and had two “bumps” so it was around and up & down. Doesn’t sound like much but it was FAST! The first time we got on, I was afraid it would be too intense for him. But he loved it! There was also a train, a carousel, and a flying banana ride. There was also an actual mini roller coaster, but we didn’t go on that one. That was a bit too intense for J. We all had a blast. It was a fabulous weekend, and just what we needed to take our minds off our stressors for a little while. I came home feeling so refreshed. And it was so great to actually see and touch my friends. I hope we get to do this again some day!

Many Happy Returns of the Day

It’s the first day of Spring.  Many Happy Returns of the Day to all of you.  I hope you each get to see some sunshine today.

We're still around, I promise!

Sorry for the lack of updates in a while.  I’ve been so very busy at work lately.  This is a good thing.  Job security! LOL  I don’t even know how many stories I’ve missed telling.  Last weekend was good.  We had a visit from T and W.  Enjoyed the heck out of that!  But feel like a heel that I did not get out my camera for pics of them with J-man.  Hopefully W got some good ones on her camera.  Saturday we took J to the big city to go shopping for carpet for his room and playground equipment for his birthday.  He was really enjoying going down the slide at the play yard place.  WEEEEE…….*BIFF*.  Yep.  He lost his balance, leaned to the side, and hit his eye on the side of the slide.  J-man got his first black eye!  But it wasn’t very bad really.  Sure made me feel rotten, though.  So, we retired to the play houses for a while, which he thought were just fabulous.  Till he smashed his fingers in the door!  Poor baby has a fingernail that’s all red underneath now.

 

Sunday J figured out how to work the vacuum cleaner.  I was shocked!  He’s always been scared of it before.  I got it out and he started pushing and pulling it.  Then I started it, figuring he’d run away as always, but he pushed and pulled and turned and shoved it all over the living room while it was running!  I was so surprised.  Then he got mad when he tried to take it down the hall to his room, but ran out of cord.  We also got his hair cut this weekend.  It makes him look so grown up, it breaks my heart.

 

The other night we decided to take J for a ride in the big truck.  He LOVES to ride in the big truck and to play in it.  That’s like the coolest thing ever, don’t you know.  Got a few cute pics of that too.  Today R headed out for a long run.  He gets to go to Ohio!  Woo Hoo!  He is sooooo excited because this means he gets to spend the weekend with his oldest daughter M.  I told him to take the camera with him.  I hope he takes some good pictures.  I was also just SICK when I found out that his backhaul is coming out of Cincinnati!  Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be able to go along with him and see Elizabeth and hug and kiss and love on my sweet little princess Bella!  Heartsick, I am.  Heartsick.  There was just no way I could take the time off on such short notice.  Too many irons in the fire here right now.

 

 

ax²+bx+c

Ahh….algebra!  Like a breath of fresh air!  Straightforward, concrete, definite.  One  and only one correct answer to every problem.  If only all of life were as algebra…..

 

I got a chance to help my cousin out with her algebra this weekend.  Nice because 1) I hardly ever see her, 2) I love to teach algebra, and 3) I love to do math.  It didn’t take us any time at all and her confusion cleared right up and she figured out what she was doing.  She’s a smart cookie, that one!  Then we all got to play with J-man and chat, and hear all about cousin A’s new prom dress!  She’s so excited, and I’m so in denial that she is old enough to be going to prom!!!  I was having a hard enough time swallowing the fact that she DROVE to my house!  Where, oh where does the time go? 

 

(sigh)......Well, Crap!

We got the letter in the mail yesterday about the child support hearing.  Not only did they award the full amount that was requested, but they also made it retroactive to the date of the filing, which was like November, I think.  NOT good!  There is no way on God’s green earth that we can afford to pay that much every month, let alone catch up to four months back!  It’s insane.  I do not know what the heck is going to happen.  The order says that it will be taken out of R’s wages, but they can’t do that because he is self-employed, so the company he leases on with does not do garnishment.  So, we will be doing the very best that we can to send as much as we can every month.  But I am very apprehensive about what will happen when we are unable to fulfill the amount of the court order.  I really just wish that his ex would have had a heart and accepted our offer of the amount that we can reasonably pay, instead of being bitter.  I don’t even know what it is that she is bitter about, but it’s clear that she is.  I feel badly about that, because the last time we ever saw her or talked to her, it was all friendly and I had no clue there were any problems.  I just hope that someone somewhere will have the heart to see that we are doing our very best to keep our heads above water right now and that we are not trying to shirk any responsibility, but just honestly don’t have the money!  We are still trying to pay off the medical bills from J’s birth and subsequent hospitalization and he’s almost two years old!  We don’t live the high life.  We don’t even have cable or internet.  We don’t go out to eat.  We don’t go out for anything other than to buy food and diapers! 

 

Honestly, I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for my parents and other extended family!  I just want to take the time to thank you all soooo much!  From not having to drive to work every day, to not having to pay for daycare, to having virtually ALL of J’s clothes, shoes and toys given to us……..We are eternally grateful and hope that we never forget to show that.  I assure you all that I take none of your generosity for granted!  NONE! 

 

God has truly blessed us with good family and friends, with our health, with our jobs, and we have a roof and clothes and food.  So…..I will continue to chant my mantra: “I’m too blessed to be stressed.”  Some days I have to work very very very hard to keep that in the front of my mind!

I'm a Big Kid now!

It was a big day for the little man yesterday. I got a call in the afternoon stating that he had somehow managed to climb out of his crib at my mom’s house! No injuries, thank goodness. Just a little raspberry on his earlobe. Now tell me, how the heck does one fall on one’s earlobe? Sheesh, only my child, I tell ya! But we all knew that was the big sign that it was time to face the hard task of switching over to the toddler bed. So mom and I both made the switch yesterday. You should have seen how proud he was showing me his big boy bed when I went to pick him up! He had the biggest smile ever!

So, since R happened to be home the same night, we decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and convert his crib to the “transitional bed.” I’m so glad that the crib we had bought used two years ago was a convertible one! Because if I’d had to go out right now and get him a whole new bed……we’d be so screwed! Well, the conversion project was just about the most exciting and interesting thing J-man had seen in a good long while! And of course, he insisted on being right in the middle of it. Literally, in the way in the middle of it! He was so excited he was bouncing off the walls! I finally had to cheat. I gave him cookies and milk in front of the tv with one of his movies playing! LOL Then R and I were quickly able to finish up the conversion. I had to take the mattress into the living room to get the sheet on it because J would NOT stay off it for two seconds!

We got it all put together and J climbed into it……as proud as a little peacock! I mean, he was totally beaming! He kept climbing in and out and in and out like he just couldn’t believe it. I went and got my camera and snapped a few shots of him playing in it. Then he decided to go back to the living room, but I just sat there in the rocking chair staring at that big boy bed and crying. I feel like the last vestige of his babyhood is gone now.

I was very much anticipating a LOOOOOONG night of fighting to teach him he had to stay in bed. To my shock and amazement, we put him in bed and he never budged even once! I was on pins and needles listening to the monitor for any sign that he was getting up. All we heard was every few minutes the sweetest and most joyful little giggle! It was like he was looking up and checking to be sure he was still free and it just tickled him. It was the sweetest thing I have ever heard! And he never left that bed all night long! So proud of my little man today! So proud…….

Miniature Monet

This weekend was a pretty good one. Friday night R found himself with the night off. A fairly common occurrence lately, as the grocery hauling business is in a bit of a slump at the moment. So, we decided on the spur of the moment to all three go out to supper and to Wal Mart that night. We had a lot of fun. J was excellent in the restaurant, which is not always the case. Usually he is restless and asking to get down by the time the food arrives. He did get rather beside himself in the Wal Mart, as by then it was well past his bedtime. But we got through it ok.

Saturday it was nice to be home and not have to go anywhere. J and I went to the store in town for our meat, as that is the one thing that I refuse to buy from Wal Mart. IMO, the meat there just plain sucks! AND it’s cheaper in town. Later, we were able to go out to the backyard and play for a while. J sure does need a swing set out there. I wanted to get him one for his first birthday…..and here we are nearing his second and he still doesn’t have one. That night, while R was out working, I decided to get brave. I got out some paint for J! He had so much fun. He really loved it. He liked dipping the brush in the paint over and over and over. I took his clothes off and set his easel up on top of a big sheet on the floor. I put an oversized t-shirt on him and he painted his little heart out. When he was done, he turned to me and asked for a “bass” (bath). I looked him over and said, “good idea!” We went into the bathroom and I decided to take a few quick pictures of him before the bath. I was having a hard time getting him to stand back away from the camera so that I could get a good picture. Then he reached up to the counter and grabbed my toothbrush. I thought ‘good, he’s distracted. Now I can get a picture.’ And then it was one of those moments. You know, the moments that you experience and remember like slow motion but they happen so fast that you have no time to react to them? The moments they dramatize in movies with slow motion effects? Yeah, it was that kind of moment…..he looked up at me with that ……glint……and in a flash he reached over, lifted the lid on the toilet and chucked my toothbrush into the bowl!!! As I was diving toward him with my arm extended saying “no….No…..NOOOO!!!” So, now I have to buy a new toothbrush. But the painting was lovely. I forgot to take a picture of the actual painting. I’ll do that tonight and update with the pic later. For now, here are the pics of the artist!

Sunday was fun. J and I went over to spend the afternoon with The Great Aunt C for her birthday. My mom and Grams were there also. J really enjoyed running around on the tile floor and the sound his shoes made. He also loved playing with Aunt C and Uncle C, and he especially loved running loose outside since they live in the country. We took him out to see the goats, but he was so impressed with being unfenced that he didn’t stop running long enough to really notice them. He ran till I was out of breath and then we made him go back in!

Hope everyone else had a great weekend too! Thanks for dropping in on us!