I stumbled upon this the other day through another mom's blog. This was also on Good Morning America, you can click on that clip from this one as well. I knew to keep Natalie rear facing to one, but I had no idea that she needed to be in a five point harness past forty pounds, I didn't know they made car seats this big either. Just an FYI for all my favorite mommys out there.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Florida
As you can tell I've slacked on the blog since going to work full time. I'm hoping to get better when we get into a good routine. It's been a hard transition, but I think I'm going to like this job.
This is just a quick note to show you our new friend. Last year when our neighbors were setting off fireworks, Mocha got scared and literally jumped through our screen door. We keep saying we're going to get a new screen, but first we want a doggie door. If we don't have a door the screen will be gone the next time there is a loud noise outside. We'll needless to say, one year later we don't have a screen or a doggie door, (motivation number 51 for me going back to work), hopefully we'll get this in the next few months.
All this to say that our nightly ritual is for Lexi to sit outside for hours waiting for a possum to walk across the fence. She barks so loud it's amazing, we go out, chase her around the yard wondering why we've never trained her, we finally catch her and bring her inside.
EVERY NIGHT.
Last night she starts barking, I step out onto the porch to fuss at her. I'm almost to the not screen door when something moves on the treadmill. I look over and see a cute little baby possum curled up on the cover for the treadmill. Now, she's cute, but I know she'd bite my hand off. Suddenly, I have an immense fear that I'm now standing between baby and her momma, and I know her momma is big. As Chris is coming out the door, I managed to get across the porch in one solid jump and get back inside. He didn't know what I was running from, but thought it was so funny that he almost didn't let me in. I think it was the panic in my eyes that made him rethink that. He went around to get Lexi and at our last check before we went to bed last night our little friend was curled up sound asleep on our treadmill. Who said possums sleep upside down?
I think we'll be getting a screen and lock for our doggie door very, very soon.
This is just a quick note to show you our new friend. Last year when our neighbors were setting off fireworks, Mocha got scared and literally jumped through our screen door. We keep saying we're going to get a new screen, but first we want a doggie door. If we don't have a door the screen will be gone the next time there is a loud noise outside. We'll needless to say, one year later we don't have a screen or a doggie door, (motivation number 51 for me going back to work), hopefully we'll get this in the next few months.
All this to say that our nightly ritual is for Lexi to sit outside for hours waiting for a possum to walk across the fence. She barks so loud it's amazing, we go out, chase her around the yard wondering why we've never trained her, we finally catch her and bring her inside.
EVERY NIGHT.
Last night she starts barking, I step out onto the porch to fuss at her. I'm almost to the not screen door when something moves on the treadmill. I look over and see a cute little baby possum curled up on the cover for the treadmill. Now, she's cute, but I know she'd bite my hand off. Suddenly, I have an immense fear that I'm now standing between baby and her momma, and I know her momma is big. As Chris is coming out the door, I managed to get across the porch in one solid jump and get back inside. He didn't know what I was running from, but thought it was so funny that he almost didn't let me in. I think it was the panic in my eyes that made him rethink that. He went around to get Lexi and at our last check before we went to bed last night our little friend was curled up sound asleep on our treadmill. Who said possums sleep upside down?
I think we'll be getting a screen and lock for our doggie door very, very soon.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Him
He came running to me, arms in the air, beautiful smile on his face. His entire four year old body was sprinting, I put up my hand and everyone heard the "high five" he bestowed on my open palm.
In an instant I found myself wondering if I would be a part of his story someday. I wondered if he will tell his future wife about this blonde lady that stopped by when his mom was sick. I wonder if he'll ever realize that I am only one year younger then his mother when she died? He is too young to even comprehend death or sickness. He just tells me that Mommy is resting since she is tired. The room is heavy with his words as everyone knows but him.
I gather my thoughts and intentionally step back outside my head and focus on him. We talk about his day and how he has helped clean up the house. I tell him it looks good, and, it really does. He shows me his room and introduces me to all the people. I can think of no other time or no other job that someone could be keenly implanted in memories as a nice stranger. He won't remember much, but when the magnitude of his mom being gone sets in, I am sure he will remember vivid clips of her last few months forever. I hope, if he happens to remember the blonde lady, she will still bring a smile to his face and hope to his day. More than anything, I pray he will look back on this time with peace and not anger. I hope he looks with the knowledge that God brought a lot of people to him just so God could say to him, "I love you." And I hope that as God walks with him through his grief, that sprinting, smiling, and high fiving will forever be a part of his character.
In an instant I found myself wondering if I would be a part of his story someday. I wondered if he will tell his future wife about this blonde lady that stopped by when his mom was sick. I wonder if he'll ever realize that I am only one year younger then his mother when she died? He is too young to even comprehend death or sickness. He just tells me that Mommy is resting since she is tired. The room is heavy with his words as everyone knows but him.
I gather my thoughts and intentionally step back outside my head and focus on him. We talk about his day and how he has helped clean up the house. I tell him it looks good, and, it really does. He shows me his room and introduces me to all the people. I can think of no other time or no other job that someone could be keenly implanted in memories as a nice stranger. He won't remember much, but when the magnitude of his mom being gone sets in, I am sure he will remember vivid clips of her last few months forever. I hope, if he happens to remember the blonde lady, she will still bring a smile to his face and hope to his day. More than anything, I pray he will look back on this time with peace and not anger. I hope he looks with the knowledge that God brought a lot of people to him just so God could say to him, "I love you." And I hope that as God walks with him through his grief, that sprinting, smiling, and high fiving will forever be a part of his character.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
One week ago, lots of pictures to share.
We had Natalie's two year birthday party a week ago today. It has taken a while to get to this blog because my family was here and we were soaking up spending time with them. Our camera memory card was quickly full at the party, so we have to thank Auntie Heather for the majority of these pictures. Chris made the Strawberry Shortcake, I was very impressed with his talent.
This is my favorite picture of him, this is of Chris making all the cupcakes and cakes Friday morning.
We had Natalie's party at a local park next to the playground. It provided simple entertainment for the kids and enough shade for the rest of us not to melt. Natalie got more presents than any child should. About three quarters of the way through, Natalie declared she was done opening presents and wanted to slide. Here are a few pics of her opening presents, she put on this new bathing suit and shook her shoulders, it concerned all of us a bit.
Uncle DJ and Aunt Sarah got her an awesome medical kit complete with a picture book they made of Uncle DJ in his Dr. scrubs taking care of our grandparents and parents. We love this book and Natalie has been taking all of our blood pressures all week. She is really enjoying it. We have learned though that Natalie can look in Mocha's ears, she cannot wrap something around her paw and check her "pessure".
Papaw and KK got her a bike, so once this came out she wanted to only ride it. Of course we have a helmet for her big head, this is the outfit every mom dreams of for her kids party...
Thanks to Aunt Jo, this is Natalie's original outfit for the party...
And, in Natalie like fashion, she had to leave her helmet on to blow out her candles, fire can be quite dangerous. :-)
It was a very fun day. At the risk of way too many pictures, I'm going to also include the pics from Natalie's hair cut last week. We went to this awesome place called Sharky's for kids that let her sit in a Barbie car, watch Elmo and cut her hair in less then five minutes. When Chris realized they had an Xbox and cut adults hair he decided he'll be going there too.
This pic is of us with my parents at Marineland. It was wonderful to spend a week with them. With this view, don't you all want to come visit us for vacation?
Natalie reflecting on her party.
This is my favorite picture of him, this is of Chris making all the cupcakes and cakes Friday morning.
We had Natalie's party at a local park next to the playground. It provided simple entertainment for the kids and enough shade for the rest of us not to melt. Natalie got more presents than any child should. About three quarters of the way through, Natalie declared she was done opening presents and wanted to slide. Here are a few pics of her opening presents, she put on this new bathing suit and shook her shoulders, it concerned all of us a bit.
Uncle DJ and Aunt Sarah got her an awesome medical kit complete with a picture book they made of Uncle DJ in his Dr. scrubs taking care of our grandparents and parents. We love this book and Natalie has been taking all of our blood pressures all week. She is really enjoying it. We have learned though that Natalie can look in Mocha's ears, she cannot wrap something around her paw and check her "pessure".
Papaw and KK got her a bike, so once this came out she wanted to only ride it. Of course we have a helmet for her big head, this is the outfit every mom dreams of for her kids party...
Thanks to Aunt Jo, this is Natalie's original outfit for the party...
And, in Natalie like fashion, she had to leave her helmet on to blow out her candles, fire can be quite dangerous. :-)
It was a very fun day. At the risk of way too many pictures, I'm going to also include the pics from Natalie's hair cut last week. We went to this awesome place called Sharky's for kids that let her sit in a Barbie car, watch Elmo and cut her hair in less then five minutes. When Chris realized they had an Xbox and cut adults hair he decided he'll be going there too.
This pic is of us with my parents at Marineland. It was wonderful to spend a week with them. With this view, don't you all want to come visit us for vacation?
Natalie reflecting on her party.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Never in a million years...
My parents did something yesterday that it never even crossed my mind that they would do. One of those things that was NEVER on my radar for them. They are here on vacation and they got TATOOS! DJ, you read that right. If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it. Here are pics, Mom got Natalie on her arm because she doesn't really like her arms and never wears anything sleeveless, Dad got a WV on his arm because "that's where guys get tatoos." Yeah. Their arms are a little red, but here are the pics. They'll have fun whenever Mam-maw and Pa-paw see this. :-) DJ, I think this gives us permission to do about anything now. I'll upload pics of Natalie's birthday party soon.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
I promise
Dear Natalie,
It would not have been possible for someone to have prepared us for how hard these last two years have been. Just the same, it would be impossible for me to explain how much joy you have brought to our lives.
Everyone told me that time would fly, we would blink and you would be grown. I have always believed them and tried to treasure our moments. Sure I've second guessed every decision I've made as your mom, but I have tried to seek God and do my best with you. I'm having a hard time with you turning two. If you are reading this, I'm sure I'm having a hard time with whatever age you are now; holding this paper with what used to be tiny hands curled around my finger. I wonder what awaits us between now and that day in our future?
I promise to not wish you were small again. I promise to treasure you at whatever age you are. Know that this promise is one I declared to myself in Toys R Us the other night. I saw some cute outfits and as I walked towards them I realized they were too small for you. Tears flowed out of my eyes as I stared in disbelief. I missed my baby. Then I looked in my cart. I had a bike for you; and other girl toys. I told myself that you couldn't ride that bike if you still fit in those tiny baby clothes. I promised myself then not to always look back at the age you were, if I do I'll miss the age you are. I'm not up for a lifetime of missing you where you are. So for you my little girl, this is you today, when you turned two...
Your favorite song is wheels on the bus. You move your arms all around and say "round and round" in a very deep voice.
You love to recount your day to us. You tell us about "my boys" at day care and tell us how you cried when you got your latest Owie.
You LOVE chocolate jilk, as you call it. You and I have a glass together almost every morning.
You love your Daddy most of all. Anytime he walks in a room your eyes light up, you scream, and run to him as fast as your feet can carry you.
You talk, a lot. From your height and your vocabulary, most people guess that you are three. In fact this might be a hard year for us, no one believes Mommy is just 29 and no one really believes your 2.
You can throw some amazing tantrums. Enough said.
You give us great Hugs and Kisses at night time.
You said "bye bye" to your pacifier two nights ago. I think you did better then I did.
You love to go potty and do the potty dance. This involves your upper body bouncing while you sit on your potty. Your getting better at this and if Mommy or Daddy could spend a few uninterrupted days with you, I think you'd have it down.
You are gentle, kind, and sweet. You mother the kids at day care and kiss our owies too. You read us stories with make believe words and you can count to eleven (why stop at 10?) and sing your ABC's.
Our dog, Mocha, might as well be your sister because that's how you treat each other, you pick and tease each other all the time, but no one laughs harder then you when Mocha jumps at you.
You are loved more then you can ever imagine, by God, by us, and by many many others...and you always, always will be.
Here are some pictures of you today~
waking up daddy telling him your two
telling Mommy you are two
covering your nose as Mommy gets ready to butter it at Uncle Robert's and Aunt Jo's.
This is Mommy's family tradition.
Got you!
Katelyn made you a fun cake today! Thanks Katelyn!
This is you this morning when you put my eye shadow on your forehead.
You posing for a pic with Katelyn, you call her Kakeyn and I think she is one of your favorite people, by the way she was your first real babysitter at our house, just you and her and you both did great!
It would not have been possible for someone to have prepared us for how hard these last two years have been. Just the same, it would be impossible for me to explain how much joy you have brought to our lives.
Everyone told me that time would fly, we would blink and you would be grown. I have always believed them and tried to treasure our moments. Sure I've second guessed every decision I've made as your mom, but I have tried to seek God and do my best with you. I'm having a hard time with you turning two. If you are reading this, I'm sure I'm having a hard time with whatever age you are now; holding this paper with what used to be tiny hands curled around my finger. I wonder what awaits us between now and that day in our future?
I promise to not wish you were small again. I promise to treasure you at whatever age you are. Know that this promise is one I declared to myself in Toys R Us the other night. I saw some cute outfits and as I walked towards them I realized they were too small for you. Tears flowed out of my eyes as I stared in disbelief. I missed my baby. Then I looked in my cart. I had a bike for you; and other girl toys. I told myself that you couldn't ride that bike if you still fit in those tiny baby clothes. I promised myself then not to always look back at the age you were, if I do I'll miss the age you are. I'm not up for a lifetime of missing you where you are. So for you my little girl, this is you today, when you turned two...
Your favorite song is wheels on the bus. You move your arms all around and say "round and round" in a very deep voice.
You love to recount your day to us. You tell us about "my boys" at day care and tell us how you cried when you got your latest Owie.
You LOVE chocolate jilk, as you call it. You and I have a glass together almost every morning.
You love your Daddy most of all. Anytime he walks in a room your eyes light up, you scream, and run to him as fast as your feet can carry you.
You talk, a lot. From your height and your vocabulary, most people guess that you are three. In fact this might be a hard year for us, no one believes Mommy is just 29 and no one really believes your 2.
You can throw some amazing tantrums. Enough said.
You give us great Hugs and Kisses at night time.
You said "bye bye" to your pacifier two nights ago. I think you did better then I did.
You love to go potty and do the potty dance. This involves your upper body bouncing while you sit on your potty. Your getting better at this and if Mommy or Daddy could spend a few uninterrupted days with you, I think you'd have it down.
You are gentle, kind, and sweet. You mother the kids at day care and kiss our owies too. You read us stories with make believe words and you can count to eleven (why stop at 10?) and sing your ABC's.
Our dog, Mocha, might as well be your sister because that's how you treat each other, you pick and tease each other all the time, but no one laughs harder then you when Mocha jumps at you.
You are loved more then you can ever imagine, by God, by us, and by many many others...and you always, always will be.
Here are some pictures of you today~
waking up daddy telling him your two
telling Mommy you are two
covering your nose as Mommy gets ready to butter it at Uncle Robert's and Aunt Jo's.
This is Mommy's family tradition.
Got you!
Katelyn made you a fun cake today! Thanks Katelyn!
This is you this morning when you put my eye shadow on your forehead.
You posing for a pic with Katelyn, you call her Kakeyn and I think she is one of your favorite people, by the way she was your first real babysitter at our house, just you and her and you both did great!
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