GuiDANCE

I'm not sure who this is written by, but I received it in an email from my cousin. I really enjoyed it...

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
Both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
And attentiveness from one person
And gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "I".
"God, "u" and "I" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
That I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
And mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God
Abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
And to guide you through each season of your life.

What a night...

I will start off by saying I am WIPED OUT so please excuse any gramatical mistakes!!

We made another trip to the ER last night and still haven't fully recooperated!!

Yesterday afternoon (around 1:45) JD and I were at the kitchen table eating lunch. I had finished and was in the laundry room (which is right next to the breakfast area) and JD was in his booster seat (which is strapped to a chair - it's a tall bistro table so he sits like 4-1/2 feet or so off the ground) finishing up. He got his feet wedged between the chair and table and kicked off, sending the chair straight back with him strapped in. Of course, we have very hard tile floor (it's old tile with a million grout lines). I saw the fall but couldn't get to him in time - but managed to trip over the laundry basket and take a spill myself. He started SCREAMING immediatley!! There was no blood or bump, which made me nervous. I called my mom and sis-in-law and asked them what I should do. They are my "go-to-girls"! Afterall my mama's raised three kids, one being a complete accident-waiting-to-happen, so she's seen her share of emergency rooms. Aylie has two little ones so is a little more up-to-date on her info (no offense mama). They both said to keep a good eye on him for a while, but if he seems alert and didn't loose conciousness then he's probably fine. I held him forever and he finally calmed down. He seemed okay besides being a little shook up but was pretty coherent and able to answer simple questions (what color is this, what does a chicken say, where's your eyes, etc.). I kept him awake as long as possible (it was naptime already) and then finally let him fall asleep.

He woke around 4:30 and was fine all afternoon. He played like normal (maybe not quite as wound up) and was fine for several hours. Around 6:30 we got ready for dinner and I sat him at the table but he didn't want to eat. I let him get down and he played a bit more and then layed on the couch. Around 7 I checked on him and was gonna give him his vitamins when I saw how red his eyes were and could tell somthing was wrong. He immediately vommited (a bucket full) everywhere and then did the same a few minutes later. I knew this was a sign of a concussion so I kept watching him. I called my mom, Tim, and Aylie again. From then on he was pretty out of it, not lethargic but very out of it. He kept staring off and just layed on the chair in a daze.
He didn't want to take a bath and wouldn't eat or drink anything.

Jimmy and I decided to take him on in to the ER. We got there around 8:00 or so and got through triage quickly. He threw up 5 more times while we were there. They did a CT, which was a NIGHTMARE - JD SCREAMED the entire time. I don't know how my mom did it with Shannon so many times. My heart was just breaking for him. They had to mummy-wrap him in a sheet and then strap him to the table. He kept crying, "Mama Mama, hold you". After 4 or 5 attempts they let me take him back to the room, only to come get us a few minutes later because the images weren't good enough. This time it was daddy's turn - I couldn't take any more. Once the CT scan came back (30 minutes later) the didn't see any swelling so that was good. However, JD was still throwing everything he drank up and kinda in and out of it still. One minute he'd be taking and the next he'd been a complete daze with his head on my shoulder. They wanted to transfer us to Hermann Children's Hospital in the Medical Center downtown. They were going to do a second CT scan and continue to mointor him there, but in case of an emergency there would be a pediatric neurosurgeon on call (do you have any idea how SCARED I was). They advised us not to drive him and let the ambulance take him so they could continue to monitor him. Only one of us could ride with him, so Jimmy followed behind. They strapped me onto the stretcher and let JD sit in my lap. This of course was JD's favorite part and the whole time he kept saying, "Wow...lights". At one point we were talking to the EMT and driver and I asked JD, "Did you get a bobo on your head today?" He said, "Yes...No, No, No Chair...Be nice!!" It was soo cute, he had us all laughing at this point!

Once we got there is was another mess. Of course we weren't PRIORITY b/c JD wasn't bleeding or anything. For the first 45 minutes he SCREAMED for juice. We got several rude stares from the nursing staff - I was NOT happy. We were sharing a room with a 3 year old girl that had broken her leg. I've never had a broken leg so I never really knew what went on. Apparently her's was pretty bad. We got to watch them drill 2 bolts (with a yellow Dewalt drill) into her knee and then cut them with huge orange steel cutters. It was awful, this poor tiny girl! After an hour wait a doctor finally helped us let JD have so juice - PRAISE THE LORD!! He eventually trew that up as well. They did another CT at 3 a.m. (6 hours after the original) so poor JD was tortured again. After an hour of waiting we got the results. There still was no swelling, which was such a relief. It took so long for them to come and talk to us that I'd already assumed the worst. They sent us home (at 4) and told us we'd need to bring him back if he continued to throw up. I don't think I've ever been so relieved to strap my sweet boy in a car seat!!

JD woke up this morning around 10:45 and was just perfect!! He was my wild child all day today, making up for loss time!! He also had his mommy wrapped around his little fingers all day! He never threw up and ate a little better. I think he told his first fib as well. He was sitting in the kitchen coloring while I messed around in the kitchen. I heard him say, "All done" and knew he got up. A few minutes later I went over to clean up him markers and found a top with no marker attached. I went looking for him and found him in the office coloring the walls!! That little turd told me he was all done so that he could color on the wall!! I wasn't even mad, I was so happy he was up and moving around!!!

So as you can imagine, the last 36 hours have been a nightmare. I was soo scared. It's funny because as much as you want to protect your children from every bump and bruise, it's such a reminder of how much you NEED and LOVE them. I've never doubted this with JD, but it was a friendly, okay...more like a awful, scary reminder to not take a minute for granite!!!

It's been a week...

It's official...JD is a 2 year old. It's been an entire week since his birthday and we are showing our two's like never before!

JD's Interests at the Moment:
- blowing out candles (this might be labeled as an "obsession" as well)
- his loveys (blog coming soon...)
- T-Bee as he pronounces it (his favorite shows are Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, JoJo's Circus and Handy Manny)
- suckers (he's a sucker for DumDums)
- blowing his nose
- crying at the backdoor because it's STILL raining outside
- new friends

JD's Current Dislikes:
- baths (after two bathtub pooping incidents, he's not very fond of it right now...but there is light at the end of this tunnel; I can already see it thanks to all the new fun bath toys he has)
- diapers (we are STILL fighting over this)
- being told "No"

JD had a very good birthday this year. We had it at the Ruckus Room, where we rented out two rooms full of moon walks and the like for him. He played so hard. My normally shy, stand-offish child was in the middle of it all. His cheeks were so red because him and his CRAZY cousin were going 90 to nothing!! It was a lot of fun and JD had a BLAST!


JD's Mischka Mouse (as he says it) Cake


JD having a BLAST jumping with his cousins


JD sliding - can we say, no fear?


JD and his KK


JD and FuFu


JD Blowing out the candles...only his FAVORITE part of the day!


Yummm...cake!


A VERY sleepy Uncle Kev and JD after the party

We were back at the Ruckus Room today for my neice's birthday! Lexi turned 5, which blows my mind. She is such an amazing little girl and I only hope I have a little one like here one day! Being her favorite Aunt (well, next to Aunt Lynn), I of course had to spoil her rotten. I bought a pink caboodle (yes, they still make them) and filled in with tons of make-up, press-on nails, nail polish, and hair stuff! I had so much fun shopping for her!! Tonight, we are having a big-girl slumber party at her house!! Lexi, Lezlie, FuFu, Aylie and I are all attending!!


Lezlie (JD's best bud) and JD


My other girly to shop for


The Birthday Girl


Nicky - or the TANK as we usually call him

Here are is one more picture of my little guy. What a stud! His shirt says, "Future Heartbreaker" - so true!

Take Control

I just finished my morning bible study, which might I add is done with the music of Little Einsteins filling the background. This morning's study is one that I think I need to read daily. I'm going to reprint the homework just so I can cut out the paragraph I am referring too.

I have a little issue with control. I am with out a doubt, a control freak. This was one of the VERY first things that I thought of after my miscarriage. I could hear God whisper in my ear while rubbing my back just like a father does after a scraped knee, "Child, let me take control. This is out of your control." Which to some is wonderful news. My sister is the complete opposite of me in this aspect. She wants plans made for her. Tell her when to be somewhere, what time, and what to wear and bring and she has no problem coming through. The one barking these orders - Me! I have a special nickname among my husband and friends, especially on occasions when we have evening plans, the Time Nazi. I have a plan and I don't like it to be altered. Haha...my bridesmaids, bless there hearts, received itineraries at the bridal luncheon in regards to the rehearsal dinner and big day. I think I went as far as warning them that I had backups, dare they be late! (Note to self: Tell those 7 beautiful ladies in your wedding that you love them and are so thankful they put up with you!) So you get the point...I like to be in control. This was no different with this last pregnancy. I took ovulation tests to get pregnant so that it would happen quickly if not immediately (which it did - apparently my ovaries are even scared of the Time Nazi). I planned the conception based on the fact I wanted a summer baby. This is of course so that I could throw big pool parties when he/she (I didn't have control over that part) was older. I wanted to be a cute pregnant woman in a bathing suit. I wanted to wear shorts instead of annoying banded maternity jeans!! Because I had so carefully planned these, I started my prenatal vitamins in October just to be ready; I got pregnant in November; I was due July 22. I knew what I was doing! Or so I thought...

I think that was the biggest shock when I found out. I kept thinking, "but I had this planned so well...it was going according to plan." Which is true, it was going according to MY plan. My plan doesn't matter. You know that saying, "If you wanna hear God laugh, devise a plan". That thought ran through my head a gazillion times!

So I'm saying it now, for the record, because I'm now bonded to this through blogger! I don't want to be in control, but more importantly, I don't want to want to be in control. One of the things Beth repeated several times in the week one session is to pray for your desires to change. Don't live trying to push down and ignore those sinful desires, but pray for Him to change them. I want Him to change my desires. I'm being specific, I want Him to change my desire to control every situation, I want to be okay with not controlling the situation and then be okay when the plan changes regardless of who or how or it when it was made. I want to be made flexible.


I also want to be so filled with the Spirit that I don't have the need to make plans for myself or the desire to be in control I want my one and only desire to be that of serving the Lord. So please Father...take control. Make this woman, this wife, this mother yours....

...patience...

How do you teach a child (okay, a 2 year old) patience? This is something I have been struggling with for a few days. I know he's too young to understand it, but is there something I can be doing now to help him? I have looked this up in books and kinda come up empty. I'm trying to set a better example for him (something I have been praying about daily), but can I do anything more?

I try to make him wait for a minutes after asking for something, but then he starts whining. For example, this morning I was doing my bible study when he asked "more please". He was out of juice and asked very nicely for more. I said okay and set the juice down just long enough for me to remove the two Bibles from my lap and the binder holding my study. JD immediately started throwing a fit, not understanding that it takes a second to stand up. I thought ok...if I make him wait to try and teach him to be patient he's just going to whine and cry. Once I finally get the drink he's going to think that by whining and crying he gets his way. So what's a mom to do...

Patience is a gift from God. This I can personally attest to. It is also an inherited trait, just one more reason to set that example. I inhertied my dad's patience, which isn't something to brag about. Luckily, I have a little of my mom thrown in so I'm not a complete lost cause. There's also the big man upstairs on my side, so maybe I'll eventually get this right. As I've mentioned before, I am doing a study about the fruit of the spirit, one of those being patience. I can't wait until we study that part of the spirit by itself. I know God will open my eyes even more. Until then...I will keep praying for not only my patience but for the patience of my little one.

Colossians 1:11-12
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father...

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Why is it that when I tell someone JD's age I get that look. You know...the one that says "I'm sorry" and "God help you" all in one. It's the same look reserved for daughter's caring for there ill parents or for the man holding an empty leash with a dog running wild through Petco. It's the one I give my Nana when my PawPaw calls for the 7th time while we are at the grocery store. It's the same look you give a woman with a child throwing a tantrum in the mall. Why is it that the smallets mention of a toddler makes everyone nod sympathetically and say, "Oh...terrible toes!" For once I'd like to hear, "And this to shall pass" or "Don't worry, you're doing a great job". Or even better, "You'll miss it when it's gone". Since when did a child exploring his environment or a child testing boudaries become terrible twos? Why not just the "Twos" or the "Terrific Twos" or "even "Trying Twos" would be better that terrible! Maybe this bothers me because I'm a "glass half full" kind of girl. I might have my negative moments but they last only a few days and come around once a month! It's not just the looks and comments made by strangers, it's the books as well. I can't tell you how many books I've read that warn mothers of this stage. Why not encourage them? There are far more exciting things about toddler-hood than awful things! Don't get me wrong...it's hard. Some days I think it's the hardest thing I've ever done, and I thought Chemistry was REALLY hard. But it doesn't lasts...it takes a few "God grant me some patience right now (talk about hypocritical) pleeeaaasseee" and a quick evaluation of the situation and it can be taken care of. For example, my sweet darling of a child has a small obsession with m&m's. By small I mean HUGE and I mean CONSTANT. He usually asks for them when he wakes up (we don't even have any and haven't for several days) and I say 'no". I then distract him with milk. A few hours later he comes calling again...for, you guessed it, m&m's. I tell him "all gone" and distract him with a game. Before dinner, he once again asks for m&m's, and this time we color. My point is...it just takes a little patience and a lot of distraction...wait, I mean A LOT of patience and a little distraction!!! Oh, and some encouragement from others would be nice!

On another note...

We had a wonderful Christmas. JD enjoyed it so much this year and has mastered the art of gift-opening. I am blessed to have a family that I love spending every minute with. My Nana and PawPaw came in town and JD was so happy to see them. He has become quite fond of PawPaw which tickles me to death. The first 18-months of JD's life my PawPaw tried very hard to play with him. He'd constantly try and hold him or play with him, but JD would have none of it. He cried every time my PawPaw (yes, I know I refer to them as MY NANA and MY PAWPAW - it's a habit which I can't seem to break. Shannon and Jimmy give me a hard time!! Afterall, it's there Nana and PawPaw too) picked him up and would run the minute he called his name. He was much more of a Nana's boy. This has all changed!! One morning when my Nana was over, she went to JD's room to get him and as soon as she walked in he took one look at her and asked for PawPaw. She fussed a few minutes but deep down I know she loves it too!!!

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas celebrations...


JD's gifts from Santa


Helping JD with his presents


Hmmm...where do I begin?


JD and his cousin Nicky


The Three Cousins


The 26th at my Mom's house...I know...it's a ridiculous amount of presents!




PawPaw, Me, JD, and Nana


My handsome brothers - Dustin, Matt, and Eric


My BEST Friend


We had a wonderful New Years Eve spent at home with family. We went to my sister-in-law's for New Years Day. My mom, Tim, Matt, and Shan joined us. It's so awesome that we do so much as a WHOLE family!!

Before I close...I wanted to update everyone on JD. He's talking up a storm. I LOVE it. As hard as toddler-hood can be, it is so much fun. So to all my friends with young ones...don't be afraid. It's tough and there will be days when you want to throw your hands up and scream, but the days in between make it all worth it!!! There's a great book available about the toddler years and I'm reading it right now. It's very encouraging rather than scary and it has a ton of info!! It's written for the second and third years...so from age one until they turn 3. It's called The Mother of All Toddler Books by Ann Douglas! Read it!!

Anyways...back to JD. He's really mastering the talking. This morning when I went to his room (at 9:00 might I add) to get him out of bed he said, "I pooped, it stinks!" Does this classify as a 4-word sentence or two 2-word sentences??? It was too cute...and yes, he was right. He did poop and it did stink!!! He also has a new obsession with his KK. It's actually pretty bad. This evening when I out him to bed he cried for 45-minutes (I know....I'm awful, but he's fighting me when it comes to sleeping) before I got him out. When I went in there he was crying for his KK. He continued to cry/scream until my mom got on the phone and talked to him. Matt actually answered the phone so there was about a 2 minute delay before my mom got on, all the while JD was screaming, kicking, and yanking my arm to get the phone. As soon as, and I mean literally the second JD heard KK's voice he quited down. He talked to her for a few minutes...literally talking which we understood little of. He sure loves her. We have to make several calls a day to her just so he can talk to her. It warms my mom's heart, and my too once he settles down!!!

One more picture of JD...

Maybe if I smile big she won't notice the pile of Cheerios on the floor!?

God is good...

God is so good.

As many people already know, my family and I were dealt a hard blow on December 19th. I went to the doctor for my first prenatal visit and learned that we had lost the baby. This came as quite a shock, I guess you never quite expect something like that. I didn't. Everyone has asked how I took it. Well...I tried not to cry at first. I'm not sure why. I mean...that's a situation that calls for tears. I'm a cryer. EVERY episode of Grey's Anatomy doesn't warrant tears, but losing a baby at 9 weeks...tears are okay. I'm still not sure why I tried to not cry. Of course this only lasted a few seconds and then here they came. Jimmy was there, thank God, but I don't know his expression because I couldn't look at his face. Another wierd thing. I didn't want to cry or look at him. Maybe I didn't want to look at him and start crying, or maybe I didn't want to see him sad, or maybe I didn't want pity. I think the latter is probably the biggest reason. Why do we not want to be pitied? I felt like Izzie on Grey's after Denny died and the only words she uttered was, "I'm okay". I felt like I've said that phrase 100 times if not more in the last 2 weeks. Gosh...has it only been two weeks? Of course the difference is, Izzie wasn't okay, but I am. Here I go trying to convince everyone but I really am. It's almost stranger being okay than not. I shouldn't be yet, but I am. I cried a lot the first week, but now...I'm doing pretty darn well. Before I loose everyone...let me explain why.

Monday (the 18th) I emailed a dear friend of mine Amanda Jones (http://jacksonjones.blogspot.com/) asking for a bible study recommendation. I have spent the last few weeks yearning for something more. I grew up in church, but ever since I had the choice to go as opposed to being dragged out of bed, fussed at to hurry up, and then starved for a couple of hours while I tried to stay awake during sermon, I've stayed home. Of course I make an appearance at Easter and Mother's Day, but as far as every Sunday....not so much. Anyways...to say the least I have missed it. JD goes to The Met for MDO and I've attended a few Sunday's there, but not as a regular. So...it had been on my heart to do some damage-control and work on this relationship with Christ. Thanks to Mrs. Amanda's advice I started the Fruit of the Spirit study. It felt good and I believed Beth when she looked in the camera and said, "You are doing this study right now because you need it in your life right now". Of course, I assumed this was because I was tired, and becoming impatient, and needed a pick-me up! Little did I know that within 24 hours life as I knew it would change for my family.

I shared this story not because I have few things to write about right now, but because here I am 2 weeks later completely blown away. I haven't been quite as dedicated as I'd like to be the last few weeks, but this is partially due to family in town and a son who's trying to kick the daily nap habit. JD starts back MDO tomorrow and I can hardly wait to watch my week 2 video. God is more than amazing...he's heart-stirring. I love that word...I used the Thesaurus. Anyways...my heart has been stirred. I may not ever understand why this baby that Jimmy and I were so excited about was taken, but I do understand that it was God taking control. He might have done it for no other reason that to get my undivided attention, and that is as good of a reason as any. He has it....I'm here...I'm ready for whatever work He's about to do in my life. I pray for my undivided attention, for the daily discipline, and for the time-management skills I'll need on a daily basis. I know God will make this happen.

He is SO good.

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!