I guess technically Tuesday was day two, but I am sort of choosing to ignore that day because it was crazy, and not Drew's fault that things were crazy.
So. Yesterday was day two. And it was great. Well, it was really only about a 3/4 day because we still went to the library for story time and both kids were heavily "nappied" for the outing. (Just in case you don't love the British as much as I do, nappy is their word for diaper.) But, the rest of the day he did great. He had a total of two accidents. The first one occurred while we were outside eating popsicles. And, really, who wants to go in to the potty when you're doing that?
I went out on a limb last night and took him to the neighbor's house with his undies on. I have this handy little potty seat that folds up and will fit in your purse/diaper bag. He did great the whole time. Until the last time when I couldn't remember where the potty seat was. We didn't quite make it in time, but he still managed to hold some in.
I'm really proud of him. He is taking it all in stride and is starting to put all the pieces together. He even looks older to me today. Sniff.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Main Street Festival
Little known fact about me (or maybe more well known than I think...)-I love a festival! My husband does not love a festival, but he does love me, so he indulged me and took us to the Franklin Main Street Festival last weekend. It was fun. And HOT. But mostly fun. Drew got a balloon, a free bank coloring book and got to hear some live music. I think we might have another festival lover on our hands!!!
They had a whole kids area full of inflatables and snacks and a pirate ship playground. And a petting zoo. Drew said he definitely wanted to go in and pet the animals. I had my doubts. I was pretty sure we'd shell out three bucks and he would refuse to go in. But oh no! He LOVED the petting zoo. He was the duck's nemesis and he walked up to each animal and shouted their sound right in their face. Imagine being the (most likely heavily sedated) pig, laying there minding your own business, when a wily two year old walks right up to your face and shouts "OINK"!!! Good times.
We finished off the afternoon eating delicious festival corn dogs.
They had a whole kids area full of inflatables and snacks and a pirate ship playground. And a petting zoo. Drew said he definitely wanted to go in and pet the animals. I had my doubts. I was pretty sure we'd shell out three bucks and he would refuse to go in. But oh no! He LOVED the petting zoo. He was the duck's nemesis and he walked up to each animal and shouted their sound right in their face. Imagine being the (most likely heavily sedated) pig, laying there minding your own business, when a wily two year old walks right up to your face and shouts "OINK"!!! Good times.
We finished off the afternoon eating delicious festival corn dogs.
Down by the Creek Bank
I don't know if I've told you, but Drew and Lyla love some nature. Last week we were at a really fun park, with really fun playground equipment, and these guys much preferred to go on a walk and look for sticks with lichen and talk about the honeysuckle!! You have no idea how this warms my heart. Because I'm a little bit of a nature girl myself!!
Since we had such warm weather last week, I promised the kids I would take them to a big creek that they could put their feet in. They were beyond excited and I'm pretty sure the experience did not disappoint.
Here is some wading action
Drew was super into looking for rocks and throwing them into the creek. The bigger the better.
My favorite view of the day!!
The kids have also become expert caterpillar hunters. More than a few fuzzy little guys have gone on to greener pastures thanks to these two!
Since we had such warm weather last week, I promised the kids I would take them to a big creek that they could put their feet in. They were beyond excited and I'm pretty sure the experience did not disappoint.
Here is some wading action
Drew was super into looking for rocks and throwing them into the creek. The bigger the better.
My favorite view of the day!!
The kids have also become expert caterpillar hunters. More than a few fuzzy little guys have gone on to greener pastures thanks to these two!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Potty "Learning" Day One
I'm getting behind on things I need to post about. It's the pesky camera again. The memory card is full and I have heavily technical work to do before I can post more pictures. (Do you really believe that I am going to do anything "heavily technical"??)
Anyway, I'm sure none of you really cares for the play by play of Drew's, um, "output", shall we say, but I need to write this down so I can look back and remember when we started, how it went, etc. Lord only knows how long this journey is going to take, so I need to be keeping up with how things are going. The ol' memory is not what it once was, you know.
Yesterday, Drew got up and announced that he wanted to wear "underwears". Um, ok? Several weeks ago I ordered a few books about using the potty and I have been reading with them with Drew fairly regularly-at least once a day. All I can figure is that he has been thinking about it and decided he was ready to try.
Now, I have had a little bit of experience with this, with Lyla. I'm a TERRIBLE potty trainer (which, did you know "they" are now calling it "potty learning" now instead of "potty training"?? Apparently, "potty training" is too mean.) Lyla does not really like to use the potty at my house. Who can blame her, though? Who would want to go potty with another 2 year old staring you down the whole time?? She is doing great, these days, especially at home, which is good for me to see. It does eventually click!
I was not in a hurry to start this process, really. I have no "deadline" in my mind, but who can argue with "I want to wear underwears"?? He had a really good day yesterday. He had a few accidents, of course, but a) he did not freak out when he did, b) he does not like to be wet and c) they all happened on the hard wood floor! By the afternoon, he had it down pat (with very frequent potty breaks) and kept his undies dry until bed time. He still does not recognize the coming of pee quickly enough yet, but I don't think it will be long until he does. Maybe. Most people are not very encouraging about the whole process (which should tell you just how traumatic it is! Ha!) but I'm staying positive.
My instinct was to wait until Lyla was home with Katy full-time (have I mentioned my new nephew is coming in 9 more days at the most???). My instinct was right. This morning was a train-wreck. We're on hiatus until we have some more days with just us.
Finally, you have to know there are MANY hilarious conversations that come about during this process. You can be sure we have talked about YOU and the fact that YOU poop on the potty. Don't be alarmed if Drew asks you about it the next time he sees you!
Anyway, I'm sure none of you really cares for the play by play of Drew's, um, "output", shall we say, but I need to write this down so I can look back and remember when we started, how it went, etc. Lord only knows how long this journey is going to take, so I need to be keeping up with how things are going. The ol' memory is not what it once was, you know.
Yesterday, Drew got up and announced that he wanted to wear "underwears". Um, ok? Several weeks ago I ordered a few books about using the potty and I have been reading with them with Drew fairly regularly-at least once a day. All I can figure is that he has been thinking about it and decided he was ready to try.
Now, I have had a little bit of experience with this, with Lyla. I'm a TERRIBLE potty trainer (which, did you know "they" are now calling it "potty learning" now instead of "potty training"?? Apparently, "potty training" is too mean.
I was not in a hurry to start this process, really. I have no "deadline" in my mind, but who can argue with "I want to wear underwears"?? He had a really good day yesterday. He had a few accidents, of course, but a) he did not freak out when he did, b) he does not like to be wet and c) they all happened on the hard wood floor! By the afternoon, he had it down pat (with very frequent potty breaks) and kept his undies dry until bed time. He still does not recognize the coming of pee quickly enough yet, but I don't think it will be long until he does. Maybe. Most people are not very encouraging about the whole process (which should tell you just how traumatic it is! Ha!) but I'm staying positive.
My instinct was to wait until Lyla was home with Katy full-time (have I mentioned my new nephew is coming in 9 more days at the most???). My instinct was right. This morning was a train-wreck. We're on hiatus until we have some more days with just us.
Finally, you have to know there are MANY hilarious conversations that come about during this process. You can be sure we have talked about YOU and the fact that YOU poop on the potty. Don't be alarmed if Drew asks you about it the next time he sees you!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Bunco
Did you know that we have lived in Nashville for almost 4 years??!! Crazy. It does not seem like it at all. We have lived in this house longer than our house on Carbury (that we still talk about all the time!) It's been a pretty weird transition, all in all.
When we first moved here, I knew I was going to have to work really hard to meet people. I am rabidly introverted. I think I might have borderline social anxiety disorder. I can go for a week or two and not really talk to anyone and not think twice about it. I'm a weirdo. I know it. And so, I knew I was going to have to push myself out of my handy little hiding hole. Of course, attending many firm events early on pushed me right out there on a limb. Luckily, there was usually free booze involved.
So. When I got a flyer in my mailbox shortly after moving here about a Bunco group getting together in my neighborhood, I felt like I should go. Note that I didn't think "Yay, what a great way to meet people". It was more like a character building exercise. And naturally I looked up Bunco on the internet because I had no idea what it was. I certainly couldn't walk blindly into some sort of game situation that's main purpose was socializing. So I went. And I'm really glad I did. I met many neighbors and have some good friends that I met that very first night.
Over the years, the group has changed and shifted. Just recently we decided to shake things up and play other games besides just Bunco. Which was fine with me because I am a dismal Bunco player. "What?" you say, "how can you be dismal at a game of chance?" Exactly why I'm glad we're moving on. I've won the prize for low score more times than I care to count. So I support the change.
Until tonight, that is. Tonight I arrive to Bunco with dip and crackers in hand, ready for a relaxing night after a long day. The hostess told us we were going to play the game Catch Phrase. Great. I'm good at these kind of games. Then she added a catch. Whoever lost the round had to do a KARAOKE song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What in the holy world would ever possess you to make a room full of acquaintances do this???????
I'm not going to lie. This is like my worst nightmare come true. Most everyone there was horrified. Except for the hostess herself who loves to sing and has recorded an album. Hmmmm. Let's make everyone look like a total boob while I put on a show. Good times, good times. I felt most sorry for the new lady. She had never met ANY of us before. Did I mention nightmare? There was a time when I would have flat out refused to participate. But, I've grown, you see. So I played along. It was not fun. And I'm not even sure there was any character building going on.
Mercifully the night did come to an end. I grabbed up my dip and crackers (um, what else am I going to eat tomorrow??) and ran out the door, leaving my living nightmare in the dust.
When we first moved here, I knew I was going to have to work really hard to meet people. I am rabidly introverted. I think I might have borderline social anxiety disorder. I can go for a week or two and not really talk to anyone and not think twice about it. I'm a weirdo. I know it. And so, I knew I was going to have to push myself out of my handy little hiding hole. Of course, attending many firm events early on pushed me right out there on a limb. Luckily, there was usually free booze involved.
So. When I got a flyer in my mailbox shortly after moving here about a Bunco group getting together in my neighborhood, I felt like I should go. Note that I didn't think "Yay, what a great way to meet people". It was more like a character building exercise. And naturally I looked up Bunco on the internet because I had no idea what it was. I certainly couldn't walk blindly into some sort of game situation that's main purpose was socializing. So I went. And I'm really glad I did. I met many neighbors and have some good friends that I met that very first night.
Over the years, the group has changed and shifted. Just recently we decided to shake things up and play other games besides just Bunco. Which was fine with me because I am a dismal Bunco player. "What?" you say, "how can you be dismal at a game of chance?" Exactly why I'm glad we're moving on. I've won the prize for low score more times than I care to count. So I support the change.
Until tonight, that is. Tonight I arrive to Bunco with dip and crackers in hand, ready for a relaxing night after a long day. The hostess told us we were going to play the game Catch Phrase. Great. I'm good at these kind of games. Then she added a catch. Whoever lost the round had to do a KARAOKE song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What in the holy world would ever possess you to make a room full of acquaintances do this???????
I'm not going to lie. This is like my worst nightmare come true. Most everyone there was horrified. Except for the hostess herself who loves to sing and has recorded an album. Hmmmm. Let's make everyone look like a total boob while I put on a show. Good times, good times. I felt most sorry for the new lady. She had never met ANY of us before. Did I mention nightmare? There was a time when I would have flat out refused to participate. But, I've grown, you see. So I played along. It was not fun. And I'm not even sure there was any character building going on.
Mercifully the night did come to an end. I grabbed up my dip and crackers (um, what else am I going to eat tomorrow??) and ran out the door, leaving my living nightmare in the dust.
This and That
Hang on, because this promises to be a wily, random post.
You may wonder why I have not posted any Easter pictures. That would be because we got approximately zero shots that were worth a hoot. There were a couple of cute shots of my mom and Drew, but she didn't really love them, and because she's my mom and the boss of me, I won't post them! Ha! Daniel and I are quite hard to photograph together seeing as how I'm apparently part midget. Add to that the fact that my child despises having his picture made and what you get is basically a big mess. I don't know what it is about Easter that makes a mom all crazed about getting a family picture, but I fell right in line. In fact, I made everyone troop over to the neighbor's yard so we could stand in front of a dogwood tree. All that and nothing worth posting. Hmph.
We've been crazy busy. As I mentioned, we had Easter, Daniel's birthday and our anniversary in a three day span. Over the weekend we had baby shower for my sister, Katy. It was really fun. The kids kept wondering who's birthday it was!! Katy's sister-in-law and my friend, Laura, made the best monkey cupcakes you've ever seen. No pictures of this either. I was way too busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
The kids and I witnessed a hilarious moment at story time on Wednesday. Not only the kids and I, but Big Dan, too. Our downtown library has a great courtyard on the same level as the kid's area. Drew and Lyla love to play out there (usually throwing sticks in the fountain) after story time. This week, Daniel brought his lunch over and we had a picnic together. While we were sitting there a little girl FELL IN THE FOUNTAIN. Ba-hahahahaha!!!!!!! Of COURSE, I did not laugh at the time. But I wish you could have seen her face and her scramble to get up. Shew. Hilarious. My laughing at this kid (later) pretty much ensures Lyla will be next to fall in the fountain...stay tuned.
You may wonder why I have not posted any Easter pictures. That would be because we got approximately zero shots that were worth a hoot. There were a couple of cute shots of my mom and Drew, but she didn't really love them, and because she's my mom and the boss of me, I won't post them! Ha! Daniel and I are quite hard to photograph together seeing as how I'm apparently part midget. Add to that the fact that my child despises having his picture made and what you get is basically a big mess. I don't know what it is about Easter that makes a mom all crazed about getting a family picture, but I fell right in line. In fact, I made everyone troop over to the neighbor's yard so we could stand in front of a dogwood tree. All that and nothing worth posting. Hmph.
We've been crazy busy. As I mentioned, we had Easter, Daniel's birthday and our anniversary in a three day span. Over the weekend we had baby shower for my sister, Katy. It was really fun. The kids kept wondering who's birthday it was!! Katy's sister-in-law and my friend, Laura, made the best monkey cupcakes you've ever seen. No pictures of this either. I was way too busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
The kids and I witnessed a hilarious moment at story time on Wednesday. Not only the kids and I, but Big Dan, too. Our downtown library has a great courtyard on the same level as the kid's area. Drew and Lyla love to play out there (usually throwing sticks in the fountain) after story time. This week, Daniel brought his lunch over and we had a picnic together. While we were sitting there a little girl FELL IN THE FOUNTAIN. Ba-hahahahaha!!!!!!! Of COURSE, I did not laugh at the time. But I wish you could have seen her face and her scramble to get up. Shew. Hilarious. My laughing at this kid (later) pretty much ensures Lyla will be next to fall in the fountain...stay tuned.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Happy Birthday, Daniel!!
We have had a busy few days. In the span of three days we celebrated Easter, Daniel's birthday and our 8th wedding anniversary! Phew. That is a lot of celebrating!
For Daniel's birthday, Drew and I made him a "dirt" cake. It's one that he loves and I knew Drew would have a fun time helping me make it. Especially when it came time to put the worms on. I was right. He loved it. He also LOVED singing Happy Birthday to daddy all day long. Here are some pics of our little celebration.
Here is Drew "helping" with the cake!
Daddy's "surprise" face!!
Blowing out the candles
Drew sampling a worm
We love you, Dan!!! We are so glad you are our husband and daddy!
For Daniel's birthday, Drew and I made him a "dirt" cake. It's one that he loves and I knew Drew would have a fun time helping me make it. Especially when it came time to put the worms on. I was right. He loved it. He also LOVED singing Happy Birthday to daddy all day long. Here are some pics of our little celebration.
Here is Drew "helping" with the cake!
Daddy's "surprise" face!!
Blowing out the candles
Drew sampling a worm
We love you, Dan!!! We are so glad you are our husband and daddy!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." Luke 24:1-6
He is risen.
He is risen, indeed!!
He is risen.
He is risen, indeed!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
"It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last." Luke 23:44-46
It's Friday...but Sunday is coming...
It's Friday...but Sunday is coming...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Bunnies Are Back
I finally managed to get to those pictures I mentioned the other day. Whew, it was taxing. Downloading all TWO of the pictures! Ha! Someday soon I'll write a post about my chronic disease-procrastination.
Anyway. Last Friday, Drew and I made our annual trek (I can call it annual since we've done it twice now, right?) to Phillips Toy Mart to see the bunnies they bring in for Easter time. I don't know if you remember my post about this from last year, (if I was awesome the words "last year" would be highlighted and you could click them and they would take you to that post. But I'm not), but Phillips is a fabulous toy store. It's the kind of place you go for fun. You can play there! And then you take all your ideas and go to Wal-Mart and get everything for half the price. Drew checked out the bunnies for around 30 seconds and then moved on to looking at and touching everything else in the store. He had a blast.
Just before we were getting ready to leave I said, "Let's go check on the bunnies one more time." I mean, this is tradition, right? I felt like we owed it to the bunnies to look for just a few more minutes. So glad I did! One of the store's employees was holding a bunny and Drew got to pet it! Total bonus bunny moment!
Anyway. Last Friday, Drew and I made our annual trek (I can call it annual since we've done it twice now, right?) to Phillips Toy Mart to see the bunnies they bring in for Easter time. I don't know if you remember my post about this from last year, (if I was awesome the words "last year" would be highlighted and you could click them and they would take you to that post. But I'm not), but Phillips is a fabulous toy store. It's the kind of place you go for fun. You can play there! And then you take all your ideas and go to Wal-Mart and get everything for half the price. Drew checked out the bunnies for around 30 seconds and then moved on to looking at and touching everything else in the store. He had a blast.
Just before we were getting ready to leave I said, "Let's go check on the bunnies one more time." I mean, this is tradition, right? I felt like we owed it to the bunnies to look for just a few more minutes. So glad I did! One of the store's employees was holding a bunny and Drew got to pet it! Total bonus bunny moment!
Happy Birthday, Granna!!
We love you and miss you!!
(Drew decorated this sign and his face just for you!!!)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Llama, Llama
I'm pretty sure there are some pictures on my camera of something we did last week that I was going to blog about. Honestly, I can't remember what they are! And, my camera is ALL THE WAY downstairs. It's nap time and I'm snuggled up in my bed because it's THIRTY-EIGHT degrees outside. Sheesh. Are you tired of me talking about the weather yet? Well, then, tell it to straighten up and I won't talk about it anymore!
Since the mystery pics are stuck on my camera for today, I'll skip ahead and tell you about the puppet show we saw today. Dolly Parton (who I LOVE, by the way! Ha!) has all sorts of neat programs she does. Most of you probably know about the Imagination Library program she started. Each month, from birth-five years old your child can get a book in the mail-FOR FREE! Fantastic. Now she has a little group called the Penguin Players (Or Imagination Penguin Players...or something close to that.) Their first show is a puppet show of Anna Dewdney's books "Llama, Llama Red Pajama" and "Llama, Llama, Mad at Momma". If you have kids and do not have these books, you need to go RIGHT NOW and get them. They are hilarious. And, if you don't have kids, you need to go to the book store and read them. They are, seriously, hilarious. Any book that uses the term "Llama Drama" is a winner with me!
Today we had the chance to go and see this performance! Big shout out to Uncle Jon for a) being a regular patron of the public library and b) having his eagle eye out to notice this show was coming! It was play date day, so Katy, Lyla, Laura, Harper, Hudson, Drew and I all headed to the Inglewood library for the show. IT WAS FANTASTIC. They did a great job. Drew did not move a muscle the whole time! And, watching Harper was almost as good as watching the show. She LOVED it and when it was over she said "Do it again!"
Drew and I were headed home and I was trying to keep him awake so I was asking him questions about the puppet show. Any time I would stop, he would say, "More talking about the puppet show!" There is a repeat performance at the main library on Friday. We might go! If this show comes to a library near you, it's totally worth it-go!
Ps. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT KATY!!! WE LOVE YOU!
Since the mystery pics are stuck on my camera for today, I'll skip ahead and tell you about the puppet show we saw today. Dolly Parton (who I LOVE, by the way! Ha!) has all sorts of neat programs she does. Most of you probably know about the Imagination Library program she started. Each month, from birth-five years old your child can get a book in the mail-FOR FREE! Fantastic. Now she has a little group called the Penguin Players (Or Imagination Penguin Players...or something close to that.) Their first show is a puppet show of Anna Dewdney's books "Llama, Llama Red Pajama" and "Llama, Llama, Mad at Momma". If you have kids and do not have these books, you need to go RIGHT NOW and get them. They are hilarious. And, if you don't have kids, you need to go to the book store and read them. They are, seriously, hilarious. Any book that uses the term "Llama Drama" is a winner with me!
Today we had the chance to go and see this performance! Big shout out to Uncle Jon for a) being a regular patron of the public library and b) having his eagle eye out to notice this show was coming! It was play date day, so Katy, Lyla, Laura, Harper, Hudson, Drew and I all headed to the Inglewood library for the show. IT WAS FANTASTIC. They did a great job. Drew did not move a muscle the whole time! And, watching Harper was almost as good as watching the show. She LOVED it and when it was over she said "Do it again!"
Drew and I were headed home and I was trying to keep him awake so I was asking him questions about the puppet show. Any time I would stop, he would say, "More talking about the puppet show!" There is a repeat performance at the main library on Friday. We might go! If this show comes to a library near you, it's totally worth it-go!
Ps. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT KATY!!! WE LOVE YOU!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Entering the technology age
You might notice a few things are different around here! I'm finally starting to learn a little bit about personalizing my blog. To this point, the blog was the basic format you get when you sign up. I am supremely technologically challenged, so it's pretty impressive that I managed to copy and paste some html codes (whatever the heck that means) and change things up a little bit.
The two "buttons" (this is cool web speak for pictures you can click on that take you to another site) over there ------> are for two things I care about very much. First, Amazima ministries is a ministry to orphans and poor children in Uganda started and run by a 20 year old girl from Brentwood!! I encourage you to read her story. We had the awesome opportunity to meet her and she is a force to be reckoned with. God is using her in amazing ways in Uganda. Second, Gavin is the son of a woman I met on the reflux support board I have been a part of since Drew was diagnosed. Carla (the mom) and her two kids both have a disease called mastocytosis, and in Gavin's case it is life threatening. She is a wonderful woman, who trusts the Lord, and is in such a hard place. I know she would love for you to join in praying for Gavin.
I have a few little tricks I'm going to try to learn. I know you'll all be waiting, holding your breath, to see what genius things I come up with. Good thing I'm not sarcastic...
The two "buttons" (this is cool web speak for pictures you can click on that take you to another site) over there ------> are for two things I care about very much. First, Amazima ministries is a ministry to orphans and poor children in Uganda started and run by a 20 year old girl from Brentwood!! I encourage you to read her story. We had the awesome opportunity to meet her and she is a force to be reckoned with. God is using her in amazing ways in Uganda. Second, Gavin is the son of a woman I met on the reflux support board I have been a part of since Drew was diagnosed. Carla (the mom) and her two kids both have a disease called mastocytosis, and in Gavin's case it is life threatening. She is a wonderful woman, who trusts the Lord, and is in such a hard place. I know she would love for you to join in praying for Gavin.
I have a few little tricks I'm going to try to learn. I know you'll all be waiting, holding your breath, to see what genius things I come up with. Good thing I'm not sarcastic...
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