and this too shall pass...

So I am happy to report that JD's mood has improved. I'm telling you what, last week was ROUGH! Like tackle football with no pads rough!! I even found myself second guessing if I could handle another baby! I know...shame on me. Thursday night JD woke up (again) and I cried!! Jimmy woke up quick and asked me what was wrong...I screamed "I'm a bad mother!! I'm so awful, I can't even go in there and look at JD's face right now. I'm sooo tired the thought of even having to hold him makes me want to scream!!!" Of course, this is after JD didn't (wouldn't-refused) to go to bed until after 11:00 (3 hours past our normal bed time) only to wake up 4 hours later! Luckily, my wonderful husband got up with him and I slept. Well, after I too had to get up and eat myself a hot pocket because after listening to him cry for 10 minutes I was starving! How many more months do I have left???

Friday night was our annual Christmas party. It was a blast as usual. We had about 40 guests and after dinner (ham, turkey, dressing, green beans, purple hull peas, rolls, sweet potatos, etc - all the trmmings) we had a gift exchange!!! There are few things funnier than watching a bunch of guys (there were a few more guys than girls) get all riled up over a few Christmas gifts!!

Saturday night my beautiful, wonderful, most-important-woman in my life, mother took JD for the evening! What a treat!! Jimmy had all these plans to go to dinner and see a movie, but instead we oredered take out and watched a movie at home. It was more than wonderful! Thank you mama...I needed it!!!

So here we are...7 days away from Christmas and I can't wait! I'm just so excited to see JD open his gifts this year!! He's got several I know he'll love!! The best being the golf clubs Jimmy bought him. They are a real set of clubs in a real, looks-like-daddy's bag!! I'm blessed to have a husband who can't wait to share his passion for golf with his son!! He's already made plans to take him out to the range to hit balls. After all, Phil Mickelson began hitting balls on the range when he was 2 years old, or so Jimmy says!! All I can think is...a few hours of sanity for myself!!

My Dislikes...

Yes...I realize this is my 3rd post in one day, but now I'm venting....

I've had a rough few days...I'm tired and grumpy...someone has replaced my sweet boy with a whiner...here I go...

I dislike:

- sippy cups - I realize that every mom who raised kids prior to 1993 is booing me but I'm sorry, sippy cups are NOT suppose to leak. They are suppose to save your carpet and furniture from apple juice! I used to believe this at one time. I even remember having a conversation with another mommy friend (I know...the joys of motherhood conversations) about sippy cups. She was complaining about them leaking and I'm thinking to myself that apparently you aren't buying the right kind because mine never leak. Ha - 2 new couch stains, one ottoman stain, 2 chair stains, and 2 carpet stains later - THEY LEAK!!! If yours don't now, give it a week!!!

- grocery shopping (with JD) - Like I mentioned before, my sweet, take-anywhere, happy-go-lucky, baby boy has disappeared and been replaced with a sweet (sometimes), take to the park ONLY, happy to whiny in 3 seconds toddler!!! I made it through a third of my shopping trip when JD became everything I'd ever read about toddlers in grocery stores. He wanted everything in sight (hotdogs, apples - which he won't swallow, only chews then spits out, cereal, waffles, biscuits) and voiced this to the entire store. I was that mom getting those awful stares!!

- old food in the fridge - I know this is a given, but I could handle old food before being preggo but not now. After emptying an old (by old I mean OLD) container of guacamole I proceeded to puke up my entire subway-like (I made it and it was delicious) sandwich and 20 puff cheetos in the kitchen sink. All the meanwhile Jimmy watching me. When I finished he had the nerve to say, "Next time why don't you just have me do that" NEXT TIME...are you kidding me???

- sales people in parking lots - I am loading enough food to feed a small army into the back of my car, JD is now eating a sticker that the checker gave him, my phone is ringing, and it's starting to sprinkle and this guy comes up to me trying to sell some window decorations. After I've loaded nearly all my groceries he offers to help. I smile and say I can manage the last two, thanks. He contines with his speech. I know it was a fund-raiser of some sorts, but seriously...don't they teach you who to approach and who not to. A mother with groceries and a child eating stickers in the rain is probably not the best choice!

- my water fountain - We have one of those water tanks that you put the five gallon water bottles on. I LOVE the water and drink a lot of it. However, I am not the only one. JD has taken a liking to the water tank as well. He likes it so much that he fills anything that will hold water up. Jimmy asked me earlier today, "Why are there 3 cups of water in the fridge?" I explained that I refuse to throw away the water NOT because it's expensive but because it takes him a week to get the bottle refilled and that JD keeps filling different containers up. In the last 24 hours I have found the following full of water: a LARGE cup, the dogs bowl, a lego, a bath toy, a decorative Christmas box, a flipflop (I'm not sure where he was going with that) and the top to a marker. As funny as this may sound...it's quite messy!!!

Even though he's a mess....how can you not love this face??

Uh-oh...I better hide!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas...

Yea...it's my FAVORITE TIME of year!! I literally wait all year to decorate and it begins ASAP. I normally start the evening of Thanksgiving, but this year we were out of town so I got it all done the day we got home!! I love everything about Christmas. I love the smell, the colors, the cheeriness and most of all the REASON. It took us a little longer to get out tree this year because we were gone several weekends in a row, but it's finally up!!! We started a new tradition this year by cutting our Christmas tree down. We've always had live trees but we usually just pick them up at the garden center. This year my mom, Tim, Shan, Matt, Susan, Jimmy, JD and I, and our friends Kate and John went to the Christmas Tree Farm and cut one down. We had such a wonderful time. JD loved the farm animals they had and really enjoyed the tractor ride. As adventurous as it sounds, cutting down your own tree really isn't all that difficult. The people at the farm take you on a tractor hayride to the trees, drop you off, give you the saw, and then pick up the tree once its down. I was a little worried because my dear hubby isn't one for sawing, but I was really impressed. It took all I had not to attack him then and there in front of family!!!

FuFu (Jimmy's mom) and JD

If we aren't going on the ride yet, can I pleeease have some more hot cocoa???

Dada and JD picking out a tree

We finally made it home with one 8-1/2 foot tree and one poinsetta. Jimmy had a busy weekend because we are having our annual Christmas parrty next weekend, so he was busy in the garage while I decorated. Of course this took a trip to Target because I got mad at our lights last year and threw them all away after Christmas. So 3 new strands later, our tree is up and decorated!!

BEFORE JD got a hold of it (see bellow)

JD's tree in his room

This Christmas has already been a little different because JD is almost 2. As fun as it is, it's also a bit harder. Yesterday the following Christmas decorations were broken....
- a glass bowl and all 12 ornaments inside
- 3 glass ornaments taken from the tree and thrown across the kitchen floor
- a minature snowman from the fireplace

I'm not sure if our dustpan has ever been used so many times in one day!!!

Anyways...we are ready for Christmas in this house!!! I love this time of year....

Will I Ever Slow Down?

For some strange reason I am running in this new race and this stinks because I don't like to run. I have titled it...Who Can Finish 2006 First? I am pretty sure somehow I am a few days ahead of everyone else. I can't seem to slow down. I am going non-stop and I'm getting a wee bit worn out. Since my last update...life has only gotten crazier. Where do I start??

The family is great. JD is changing so much. He's talking up a storm. I understand a lot, and I can figure out for the most part what he wants on a daily basis. Here are some of his newest requests:

- "HELP Peeeeseeee!!" He gets frusterated and starts whining so I say, "JD use your words, tell mommy you need help." So now it comes out in a shriek but he does say peeeessse!!!
- "Unt Juice" This is I want juice or sometimes I hear "Unt Inlk" which is milk!! It's sooo cute!!
- "I wide it" I can thank my mom and Shan for this one. He loves riding on your back around the house like a horse and this is how he tells me. Once he's on he says, "Yee Haw"
- When he asks for something I ask him what he's suppose to say and he always says, "TankToo" and then I say no, say please first. Then when he gets his wish he says, "TankToo Elcome" together. It's hilarious!!!
- "Sorry Baby" He says this anytime he hurts you or pushes you away.

There are several more...but these are the cutest right now!! I love the talking stage (most of the time)!

I think he's also hitting a growth spurt, or atleast I hope so!! He's eating like crazy and not sleeping so well! We'll see...Jimmy and I have been spoiled rotten because JD has always been a great sleeper. He started sleeping throught the night at 3-1/2 months and hasn't ever stopped (I know...you hate me). Anyways...you get use to this to say the least, and now that he wakes up every morning between 5:30 and 6 and cries for 20 minutes had kinda thrown me off. Luckily, the last 3 nights he's gone back to sleep for several hours. We'll get through this...

The other big news for those who don't already know...I am pregnant again. Jimmy, JD, and I wlecome the newest member to this crazy family in July. We are so excited, but I'm already tired of being pregnant. If I could just go longer than and hour and a half without eating I'd be thrilled!!! But...no, as of right now I eat at least every 2 hours and by eat, I do mean a meal not a snack!! Ugh...Dear Santa, please send mommy a chef for Christmas!!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We spent it in Mississippi with Nana and PawPaw. We all just love it there. These are my grandparents for those who don't know the meaning behind Nana and PawPaw. They have a beautiful house with a yard that can't br throughly explored in just one day. JD had so much fun and misses his Nana and PawPaw so much. Luckily we will see them the day after Christmas!!! Here are a few photos from our Thanksgiving...

JD at the Olive Branch park with the ducks, which he loved!!!

JD sliding...wheee!

JD with his Nana

JD and ToDo on Thanksgiving

JD and his Uncle Matt

JD and his Aunt ShanShan


A few days after getting home from Thanksgiving, we headed to Green Bay. For those of you who don't know, I don't do the whole winter thing. I live in Houston, cold is 55 in January!! So, Green Bay was beautiful but our relationship ends there, I'd rather keep it a summer romance! I saw snow for the first time ever and it was beautiful, cold, but beautiful. JD didn't think that highly of it though...too cold for him too!!! We went and saw Brett Favre get spanked by the NY Jets in a negative 6 degree Lambeau Field!! Jimmy's brother lives there and we dod have a good time, but I was so happy to return home. Believe me, the Houston cold weather welcomed me home nicely when we got off the plane!!!

JD eating his first and possible ONLY snow ball.

Our Happy (cold) Family

Updates

So it's been a little while, but life has been a bit crazy. Of course I say this like life isn't always crazy, but right now it's in over-crazy-drive! It's okay though...I like it. I know one day I'm gonna have to slow down, but right now - I love being busy. Not in a hurry busy (I hate that) but usually have something to do busy!!

So what's new....

I have a new FAVORITE JD thing. He says I love you now - well, it sounds more like "I uv-vu" but i uv-it! He's saying it quite a bit now. He'll usually say it back to whomever says it first, or he'll say it when you tell him too. When I put him to bed tonight, he said "Night Night Mama" when I was tucking him in and I said "Goodnight JD, I love you" and he said "I uv-vu Mama!" My heart melted and I bruised my side, but only because I had to lean over for one more kiss!" I sure uv-him with all my heart.

I also have a new LEAST FAVORITE thing. JD has learned to open doors. This means that we have to buy a toilet seat lock because he loves playing in the toilet...well, not so much as play - more like flush every thing in sight!

JD has also become quite the nuidist! He LOVES running around naked. It's funny because Jimmy is very modest - VERY MODEST. The only time Jimmy has his shirt off is in bed or in the shower. He wears a shirt all the time - I make fun of him because he even wears it on the boat at the lake or on the river! So I can tell that he's not sure what he thinks about JD running around naked. It's not like I strip him down the minute we get home and he's bare-booty all day. But after the bath I let him air-out for 5 minutes or so. It so funny though - first off JD goes in the bath Dr. Jekyll style and comes out Mr. Hyde!! He's crazy when he gets out - so I'm not sure if it's the nakedness that Jimmy's unsure of, or the fact that JD's running around screaming with one hand on his weanie and the other flying wround! After a few minutes Jimmy will say, "ok JD, where are your clothes??" I think that's my cue....

I thought I'd end this post with something different. I have come to realize as we start this toddler phase that I'm repeating several phrases a day.
In honor of toddlerhood - my top 10 daily phrases:
10) "JD, are we suppose to be doing that?"
9) "We do not throw our food or fork!"
8) "Do you want to sit in time-out?" - this usually follows #9
7) "Help Mommy clean up"
6) "JD, please be gentle" - this is usually as JD is pulling Max's tail or ears
5) "Don't chase Frodo" - our not-so toddler loving dog
4) "JD - GET OUT OF THE TOILET!!!!!!"
3) "Use your words"
2) "JD, get off the window sill" - he uses our fire place to climb on a small speaker which is on top of an amplifier and then once on top of the small speaker climbs onto the big speaker (big=4 feet high or so) and then stands on the window sill
1) "JD, I love you!!"

Fun Run & School Pictures

This was from 2 weeks ago, I just never posted it because I hadn't added pictures!!

Two New Firsts

This morning was quite exciting. Jimmy and I got up as normal and I started getting ready to take JD to MDO, except that today was not a normal MDO day - it was FUN RUN!!! This is got to be the cutest thing so far at The Met. JD wore his UT track suit and although he didn't quite understand all the excitement, he was excited nonetheless to be going to "schooool" as he calls it.

We got JD to school at his normal time (9am) and 20 minutes later the fun began. The FUN RUN was set up indoors due to the wet weather and it was the cutest thing. The little guys (JD's age) are strapped into there large strollers (they seat 9 kiddos) and are pushed around the course. There are checkered flags, comes, and balloons. Each student has a normal on their back that gets punched after each lap. So many parents were there on all the kiddos!! It was precious.

Jimmy and I were on the far side of the "track" so when JD was getting near he spotted us, you could see him looking and then his face lit up when he realized it was his "mama and daddy". He waved and cheered everytime he saw us!! We took a ton of pictures and a video!! I don't even know how many laps they did, I was so buys clapping and waving!

I must say, I truly love the MDO program he is in. I have talked to three seperate woman and have all gotten the same response - they love The Met's Lamb School. One lady drives from Magnolia 3 days a week because she loves it so much. I have grateful that God has blessed us with such an amazing preschool program!! JD is grateful as well!!!


"I'm all ready!!!"


"Here we go!!"


"Yea!!! Lap 10!!!"


"Is this thing over yet??"


Well...it's time. Time to capture a moment in time. We've all been there and done it - you usually dislike more than you like. There's no better way to capture akwardness and bad hair in one snapshot. You guessed it - school pictures!!

JD had school pictures today at MDO. Here are a couple I took myself before leaving!!


Handomse just like my daddy!


He's squatting because I was squatting taking the picture!!

The Keeper

As a mother you are not just there to feed and clothe your little ones, but you become their sole keeper of all things....

Although I only have a son, I'm pretty sure I can somewhat relate to having a daughter, seeing how I myself have been a girl (a girly one at that) for 23 years, 16 of those spent with a sister (as non-girly as they come). Regardless of gender though, you become the designated keeper/protector/fixer, etc of all their most prized posessions. I am not talking about the antique rocking chair handed down from a grandmother or an engraved glass bootie from a godparent, but much more important items. These items may seem so silly to the naked (non-parent) eye, but those of us who have witnessed a melt down over a lost lovey or a misplaced pebble know better. Just this morning I was deemed responsible for 1 leaf, 2 acorns, and 4 pebbles. All which I am expected to have in my hands the minute I pick JD up from school. No, he did not tell me this, but I could see the trust in his eyes when he handed me (okay, when I pried) the goodies from his clentched fist before going into his class at Mothers Day Out. We have to leave the house 10 minutes earlier than normal because of the ten stops from the car to the front door of the Church to pick up more goodies. I am still counting my blessings that so far, the items have not been moving ones!

Girls are the same way though...mother's of girls get to hold onto barettes and chapstick. Or if you have the more adventourous type like my neice, lady bugs and rolly pollys. I can't tell you how many ladybugs we've had to and will continue to glue back together because they were accidentally crused in mommy's purse or Aunt Stephanie set her glass down on top of one. We've gotten so despeate that when all out of super glue, red nail polish did the trick and added a little flair!

In honor of becoming a pebble/acorn/leaf keeper, I am going to start writing down in JD's Journal (I no longer call it a baby book because as he keeps reminding me, he's not really a baby anymore) the items I collect for him. It starts like this:

leafs (of all shapes and sizes - we don't discriminate)
acorns
acorn hats ( that's what I call the little brown part that falls off the acron)
pebbles
rocks (his person FAV)
dirt
crickets (usually they are dead by the time I get to hold them - he's likes to squish them)
Bby (his blanket that he sleeps with and that goes everywhere)
Bear (see above - change baby to bear)
Pig
his other bear
his stuffed dog
his other stuffed dog that's the size of JD

I am sure there will be more by the time I am finish writing this, but you have the idead for now.

I have to come to see my place as JD's mama - the keeper of all things boy!!!

A FuN WeEk!!

We had a very good week with JD!! We did a lot of things and he had a blast! I thought I'd share a few photos!

These are of JD after bath time!


"Ear!"

Here are a few of JD at Beyond Bounce. This is a gym-like place with several activites for infants on up! He loves it here!



JD loves his legos, and not because he likes to play with the blocks!


He LOVES his bear, dog and blanket!

Friday Jimmy and I took JD to Chucky Cheese for lunch! It was his first time and he said, "Wow" when we walked in.

JD's talking to Chucky!



Sunday, Shannon, Nicole, and I took JD to the zoo. The weather was GORGEOUS and we had such a good time. He really enjoyed seeing all the animals! HIs favorite was the water area and the popsicle he got at the end of the day!

JD and Aunt Shannon

JD in a Bald Eagles nest - pointing to his "bo bo"

Shannon and JD in a prairie dog hole

JD brushing the Goat


JD and his popsicle


JD in the tree!

Mama and JD

Messy Boy!

SLEEPY Boy!!

Hope you enjoyed!

Is it Time?

So not a lot of new stuff going on around here...but we have had one big milestone!! JD has started telling us when he has to go poo poo!!! He holds his diaper and says "I poo, poo". Yesterday he told us before he went, but he was a little scared of the big potty!! So what did I do...well, race to Target of course to find the best potty out there! Here's how it went between the hubby and I...

J: "Which one do you want?"
S: "I don't know....that ones neat" - the most expensive one of course!
J: "Well, what's wrong with that one?"
S: "Nothing, it's just not very fancy"
J: "It's a potty"
S: "I know, but I don't want him to be scared of it"
J: "He was scared of the big potty, that's different"
S: "Yeah, but I want him to like it and feel rewarded"
J: "What about us and every other kid who learned on a regular potty - we all did just fine"
S: "Fine, get whatever you want" - I know how to win this one!
J: "I'm not picking it out - I'm just saying"
S: "Nope, get whatever, I don't care, let's just go"
J: "I'm not picking it out, just get what you want"
S: "Okay! Got it! Let's Go!"
Jimmy looks at the one I picked out and rolls his eyes! He was a bit grumpy so I thought I'd just ignore him, well, until we checked out and had to discuss what Starbucks drink we wanted!! Haha - thank goodness for Starbucks!

Anyways...I still think JD being potty trained is still a ways off, but I guess were headed in the right direction! I'll keep you all updated!

I Walked the Race

So...Saturday I participated in the Race for the Cure downtown. For those of you who don't know what that is - it's a race that the Susan B Koman foundation does in Houston in support of finding a cure for breast cancer. I walked with a team - JFA, which is Jamie's Figting Army. It's a team that was put together in honor of Jamie Neslony, who passed away one year today after a long 8-year battle with breast cancer. I walked along side her husband and children, siblings, mother, and many friends - to say the least, it was humbling.

I don't know that it is possible to fully begin to understand what it must be like to lose a mother or child until you are a parent, and then even after that fully understanding is a ways off. I spent a good deal of the time watching Taryn, which is Jamie's only daughter. I was completely blown away by her strength and courage. She is truly a child of God, and one that does and will continue to make her mother so very proud. My heart ached for her because she has no idea what is to come. I've already gone through two major life events that every daughter needs her mother for. Taryn didn't even graduate from college before her mom passed. I know that God only gives us what we can handle, and one look at the Neslony family and you know that is true. We are talking about a husband and four children that are a testament of God's love and strength. These are four people who know that God is taking care of their wife and mother and that believe with all their hearts that they will be taken care of too. I admire everything about this family and know that they are making there mama very proud!

The race for the cure also made me think of something else...my family. Although breast cancer doesn't run in my family, every other type of cancer does, and who know's what the future may bring. I've thought a lot about Taryn and what it must be like to loose a mother...I've also thougt a lot about what's to come for this sweet girl. There are many life events that a daughter needs a mother for...it breaks my heart to know Taryn will have to go through these without hers!

I've walked down the isle and married the man of my dreams. I spent months preparing for that day and hours on the phone with my mama asking questions, getting advice, and needing reassurance. I knew she was a phone call away any time I needed to double check a time or ask once again if my flower choices were going to be pretty. It was my mother and Nana that I went with to get my hair done before my wedding. And it was my mama who I cried with minutes before I walked down the isle. I avoided my mama's eyes becasue I chose to - I had to or I would have been a complete basket case, but this was a choice, Taryn won't get that choice.

It was my mom I called when I found out I was pregnant. It was my mom I called after every doctor's apointment to tell her my weight gain, or the measurements of the baby, and any more big news. It was my mom and Jimmy's mom in the obgyn's office the day that we found out we were having a boy. It was my mom I called every time I got scared or worried that something was wrong with the baby! It was my mom who got my Nana in town and kept it all from me in order to surprise me at my baby shower. It was my mom I called when I knew that the day had come for my delivery. It was my mom who held my hand in the hospital bed when I cried because the contractions hurt. It was my mom who took the first pictures of my son and saw him for the first time. It was my mom who came to see me in the hospital with a mask on because we were worried she might be sick but she couldn't stand to stay home. It was my mom who stayed with JD for the first time when Jimmy and I went car shopping. It was my mom that I called every time JD was sick or cutting a tooth and I needed to vent. And now...it's my mom who I call when I'm sad or upset. It's my mom I call when I need someone to calm me down after an argument with my husband. It's my mom I call when JD has run me crazy all day and I need a break. It's my mom I called when Jimmy's dad passed away and I needed to talk. It's my mom that takes my side when needed and makes me see the other side when I can't. It's my mom that makes my son's eyes light up the minute she walks in the door. It's mom that JD cries for when she has to leave. It's my mom on the phone when JD reaches for it and says, "KK"! It's my mom (and only my mom, not even me) that JD will let rock him to sleep. It's my mom that I will call when I find out I'm pregnant again. It's my mom that will do it all over again for another 9 months! It's my mom that will give me advice when Jimmy and I get angry at one another and want to give up. It's my mom who will always be there! It's my mom that I can only hope to be like.

I hope Taryn has a mommy figure that can help her. I hope she has someone she can go to for advice. This is one special girl and I will coninue to think about her today on the one year anniversary and for the many years to come!

Cute New Pics!

JD Posing


little Cheese!


BIG Cheese!


Time to Color...


...Or Time to Eat

Breakthrough

The dreaded "Mother's Day Out Drop-off" went a lot better today. We still had a few tears, but no shrieks. I made JD walk from the car to the classroom instead of carrying him and it seems to have done the trick. He actually walked all the way into the classroom, before turning around and realizing what he'd just done.

I had to explain the bandage on JD's hand to the teacher's of course. He looks like a burn victim (we know what this looks like because we have been there and done that). We have been living out of our suitcase this weekend and living at my mom's and Jimmy's mom's house. Our a/c went out on Friday (yes, the same day Jimmy went out of town) and I refused to deal with it - I figure I cook, clean, do the laundery, etc. - Jimmy can handle calling the a/c company. Anyways...we came home yesterday because the weather was a lot cooler and therefore made the house somewhat liveable. I was busy catching up on work emails and Jimmy was on the phone with the cable company (another thing that went out Friday afternoon) when I heard JD start screaming. I found him on my bed with the contents of my toiletry bag all over the place. He found my razor and did a number on his hand. Of course, he cut the fatty area between his thumb and forefinger - also known as the "worst place to keep a bandaid area". Well, if you remember the previous post, you know JD is a bit of a drama king/hypochondriac. He does okay not seeing the bo-bo, but the minute that band-aid comes off he SCREAMS! Regardless of the band-aid or ace bandage around his hand (arm) he doesn't fail to remind us 20 times a day that he has a bo-bo. So, yes, I take him to Mother's Day Out, get him in the classroom, reassure the teachers that his hand isn't going to fall off and that I packed extra bandages, and then head home. So here I am...5-1/2 hours of quietness - except for the TW cable guys and the a/c guys!!

On another note...More reflections on JD at this stage:

He's starting to pick up the funniest things. You're always told that babies hear everything! It's so funny how true that is. You of course think of the bad things that they might hear or tones used, but you never think of the random every day stuff. For example, when Jimmy and I get home from being gone. JD greets us with, "Hi JD". Not hi mama or hi daddy, but "Hi JD!" Which makes perfect sense because that is usually the first thing we say, "Hi JD!!"

Yesterday Jimmy, JD, and I all went to the mall. We were in Dillards going up the escalator to the children's floor. Jimmy was holding JD and pointed to the mirrors that line the escalator. JD smiled and said, "Who is that?" This is because we always look in the mirror and ask, "Who's That?" Funny stuff...

Mini-Me

I know, I know...I'm setting the bar high - 3 posts in 2 days!!

I needed something a little more uplifting after the last post. There might be 10 more tonight because JD and I will be by ourselves. Jimmy will be out of town trying to tie up so loose ends with his dad's company.

Anyways...Over the last few days I have started really seeing something new in JD. Well, not really new...I'm seeing Jimmy and I in him. Not in his appearance so much, but in his personality. It's amazing that at such a young age he's already acquiring some of our personality traits. Some are great, while others...Well, have caused Jimmy to give me a few looks and eye rolls!

It appears that JD has his mama's "drama queen...er...king" gene. He's a little on the dramatic side about EVERYTHING! I started noticing this a while back and it seems to be just getting worse. There's no in-between with him. He's either very happy (95% of the time) or we are having a MELT DOWN. One little "no" causes the biggest uproar.

He's also slightly on the hypochondriac side. It's true, I have been known to diagnose myself with pneumonia when it's a mild cold, and constantly worry about having an unknown brain tumor every time my head hurts. It seems JD is the same way. Early last week, Jimmy, JD, and I were outside after dinner playing. As JD was chasing Daddy he fell down and scratched his hand. Just this morning we were sitting on the living room floor watching JoJo's Circus when I hear JD blowing and panting like he does when something's wrong. I look over and he's got his "hurt" hand and is blowing on his palm where the scratch WAS. There is no longer a mark, but he'll still scrunch his face up and whine, "Bo bo, bo bo"!! Jimmy looks at me and shakes his head. He still does this with a scar on his belly from a carpet burn he got over a month ago (August 19th). If anyone so much as touches his belly he screams, "oww....bo bo" and scrunches his face up!

There are some mild traits of this father's as well. Let's see...The selective hearing! He seems to only hear me when I say something that interests him....Outside, juice, milk, bite, or bathtub!!

It's funny. In only the short amount of time that JD has been on this earth, he's taught us more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined. Children are truly the GREATEST JOY!!!

Some RECENT pictures:


"Cheese" He's learned to say this whenever the camera is out!


Climbing...JD's greatest passion!


My Sweet Boy


JD in his Nap Sack watching Blue's Clues

Prayers Needed

Please keep my Uncle Chris and family in your prayers. He's in the trauma center in Memphis under observation from a riding accident yesterday. Julie and Chris were out riding their horses yesterday when Chris spooked one of the horses on the land (not his) that's not broken (i.e. not rideable). The horse reared up and got the lead rope caught around his leg and took off. The other end of the rope wrapped around the bottom of Chris's knee. He was dragged a while (bounching as high as 5 feet in the air) and then thrown into a tree. The paramedics came and he was life-flighted to Memphis. He never lost consciousness before the EMT's arrived, but he did flat-line on the wings and had to be revived.

He's currently in stable condition, but they are having to keep a close eye on him. He punctured one lung and bruised the other. He still has a chest tube in the punctured lung and is on a ventilator. They are still unsure as to whether they can save the punctured lung. He also has 4 broken ribs and a tear in his spleen. The leg that he was dragged by is completely broken. They are still awaiting the MRI and cat scan results from his neck and head. As of right now, the main concern is keeping him stable and watching him for signs of Pneumonia. They are checking him hourly to make sure he doesn't catch the illness.

My Nana and PawPaw are very shook up and I can only imagine what Julie is going through. Please keep them all in your prayers. He's in excruciating pain. We are hoping Chris will be moved to ICU soon and out of the trauma ward.

Thanks again for your prayers and support!

Silence is NOT Golden

First Timer...

I'm not sure what made me start one of these...maybe it was the ridiculously long email I just sent to a dear friend updating her on the family. I think it just felt good to write. I had to make myself stop because it was getting a little out of hand. Regardless...Here I am, and I promise to make a better effort on updates than I have in the past.

JD, as most of you know, is now 20 months old. This means we are 4 months away from being the parents of a two-year old. I'm not sure if that is frightening or exciting! Maybe a little of both. Jimmy is concerned that JD has already emerged into the terrible two stage. I just tell him, "No, he's a boy". He's happy and full of life! He makes us laugh - a lot - and keeps us on our toes. We've come to learn that silence is no longer golden - but a cue that someone is doing something he probably shouldn't!

Silence = JD doing one or all of the following:

- pulling the moss out of Mommy's palm tree and then throwing the dirt over the couch (how did he ever think of this???) and onto the end table! This (so far) is the only action that results in a time-out!

- sitting on the floor in front of the pantry eating his cereal of choice (either fruit loops or frosted flakes) straight from the box - and making the dog's day by sharing!

- playing in the dog's crates looking for lost kibbles and bits (I promise we do feed him)

- sitting on the computer desk playing with the mouse, or tape, or pens, or taping the pens to the mouse

- running in place (his form of dancing) on the fireplace, ottoman, couch, bed, or some other "non-dance friendly" place

- drinking from the dog's bowl

I promise he does get fussed at for the above and does know he's in trouble. I know this because when I walk-in to find him covered in dirt eating frosted flakes he says, "No JD, No No No!"

Before I sign off on my first post...I'll leave you with a laugh!!

Background information (for those who don't already know): Jimmy and I are blessed to share this wonderful parenting experience with a sister and brother-in-law. Aylie, Jimmy's sister, has a witty 4-1/2 year old daughter - Alexis and a tank of a son, Nicky, who just turned 2 - six months older than JD! Yes we know...We have some crazy years ahead of us!!

Last weekend Jimmy and JD were over at Aylie and Nick's house along with Jimmy's mama - Susan. As in our house, things got a little quiet so Jimmy and Aylie went searching for the kiddos. Again just like our house, an open bathroom door means TROUBLE!!! Aylie and Jimmy walk in to find a bathroom under water, literally. Standing water, nothing left in the toilet, and two wet boys. JD is standing there with wet clothes and a coke can, which we assume was his means of transferring the water to the floor, smiling; Nicky is next to him, trying to look very innocent because he's empty handed, with a wet strip of hair that comes to a point in the center of his forehead!! Yes...You guessed it!!! JD gave Nicky his first (and probably ONLY) swirly!! At this point you can't even fuss, because every one is sooo doubled over in laughter and you're just waiting for the boys to give each other high fives!! There's nothing better than boy cousins!

Hope you enjoyed....