Christmas 2008

Wow. It's been a long week--good, but long. :)

Ryan was sick last week. First stomach bug of his life, and it was a doozy. He got sick Sunday, Chris got it on Monday, my mother-in-law got it Tuesday, my father-in-law got it Thursday (yep, that'd be Christmas, sick in a hotel room. Poor guy.)My parents got a mild case on Friday, then my grandparents both got it over the weekend. You might be thinking that I'm irresponsible that so many people got it. Possibly, but I promise I didn't mean to, it was just highly contagious. I mean, Chris and his mom got it from Ryan, but his dad got it from his mom...etc. OK.

We had fun with Chris' parents and seeing his brother, our sister in law and their kids. Anna-Kate especially enjoyed having so much family in town to play with her for the whole week!

Christmas day itself was wonderful (mostly). The kids woke up at normal time and Anna-Kate was WIDE EYED when she looked into the living room and saw her bike and stocking from Santa. (actually, a Barbie big wheels--it has a blinker and a little basket and a horn!). Ryan wasn't feeling amazing, so didn't care so much about his stocking and rocking horse. We had a big yummy breakfast, took pictures of the kids in their matching Christmas jammies, then began opening presents. We are so blessed by family that loves us! We were all given so many nice things. Anna-Kate's favorite's included her dress up clothes and her new doll house. She spends hours in her tu-tu playing with her new dolls in their house. Ryan's favorites are his little people train set and his new laptop. :)

On Saturday my in-laws headed back to St. Louis and we headed down to Macon to do Christmas with our extended family. It was so disappointing that Mana and Papa couldn't be there, but we had a good time seeing everyone anyway. Tonight we got together again with my grandparents who are feeling better.

Quotable from Christmas:

AK: "I Mary, Daddy Joseph, Mommy--you a sheep. Now, where's my son Jesus? Oh, excuse me sheep, I fell on you."
Her favorite thing is pretending to be the Holy family. I used to be Mary, I've been demoted to sheep. Ryan is a lamb usually. Her baby is usually baby Jesus (formerly known as "baby Kate" she keeps trying to rename baby Jesus. we are trying to not encourage that). She sometimes refers to me as sheep. Like, "sheep are you thirsty?"

I don't have pictures from Maon, or from my grandparents house tonight (I'm waiting on pictures from my Mom, and I'll post them later).

Anna-Kate on Ryan's rocking horse Christmas morning. She's trying to show him how to really jump on it:



Ryan opening his first tooth brush from his stocking:



Opening stockings--cute matching jammies: :)



Anna-Kate in her new dress up clothes:



Reading a new book with Mama:



Anna-Kate and Mimi reading a book:



Sweet Ryan trying to eat some dinner:

Christmas traditions and funnies

So this morning we embarked upon an Atlanta Christmas tradition: riding the Pink Pig at Macy's. My mom went as I child, I went as a child, and now, we took our kids. Somehow, it was way lamer this time around...but I digress, Anna-Kate had wide eyes and loved it! I documented our trip to visit the pig (not sure if the new one has a name. Since the 50's her name was Priscilla, but she was retired in 1996 to an Atlanta museum.

We waited over an hour (family with Chris' dad):



We were first to board and got to sit in front (Anna-Kate was loving all of the PINK...and OK, so was I):



Family shot on the pig (the pig you can see in the background was the orignal pig car that I rode in as a kid):



We had a great time, and are excited to be starting our own family Christmas traditions. I'll keep you posted with what else we come up with. :)

(I know you are sitting with baited breath on the edge of your seat)

***

We've been teaching Anna-Kate table manners. Like, to be excused she says, "may I be excused please, thank you for ____" (insert b'fast, lunch or dinner). So tonight she says the first part right but says....
AK: "thank you for lunch"
Me: "what meal did we just eat?"
AK: "uh-huh" (her answer when she doesn't know something)
Me: "we eat breakfast in the morning, lunch before nap and what at nighttime?"
AK: "pancakes!"
Me: "no..."
AK: "CHEERIOS!!"

***

So, Ryan's been sick. Anna-Kate is missing her friends and so asked me to invite a friend over this afternoon. I told her we couldn't because they might get Ryan's germs and get sick.
Me: "you sure dont' want your friends to come over and get sick do you?"
AK: "yes, I do want them to come over and get sick!"

Always thinking of others... :)

***

So a few minutes ago we were all playing in the family room. Chris is always making cool structures out of pillows and blankets for her to play in/hide under. So she said, "my bed is broken, fix it Mama". I didn't know she was referring to the pretend pillow bed. Once that was all sorted out, I tried my best to build a bed of pillows (though more a fort, but whatever). Anna-Kate's heart-warming response? "That's not right Mama". Ahem. I've created a monster, and she's only 2 1/2 years old...I tried again, and she repeated above statement. Then followed it up with, "daddy builds it better."

Fine, I didn't want to build a pillow fort anyway.

First hair cut and other catch-up pictures

Ryan is a champ! On Thursday we got his 9 month pictures taken (too bad he'll be 10 months tomorrow.....) and then (during his nap time) I took him to get his first hair cut. He did great! No tears, sat still and talked to me and watched Little Mermaid. (even when she did the razor!!) Super. Then we went to Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby (you know, my favorite store in the world, well, that and Target. :)). All of this, and no fussing! I love having a laid back kid!

Sitting in the car awaiting the cut:



The first cut:



The after--what a handsome little man!



I absolutely teared up when I was in there. He looks so much older with his hair cut and all of his little curls gone.

***

The other day Anna-Kate walked up to me holding the camera and said, "Mommy, you take picture of me holding Ryan". Well friends, here it is:



***

Here is a picture of the craft we did at Jesus' birthday party--Joseph, Mary and Jesus all laying in the manger :)



It's the old-school clothes pins cut in 3 lengths and with fabric glued on for clothes. The kids got to put moss in their boxes (manger) and then wrap baby Jesus in swaddling cloth (I put velcro on white fabric so they could swaddle and unswaddle--genious, right? :)

Weekend wrap-up

Well, I guess the weekend isn't technically over, but it's time for a wrap up anyway. :)

Friday we had a birthday party for Jesus. I'll post pics when I get them from my friend Andria--she always gets great pictures, and, I couldn't find my camera until the very end. The ELEVEN 2 and 3 year olds (and their younger siblings and Moms) had a great time doing a craft, eating lunch, playing and singing the birthday song to Jesus. Such a sweet time--though, I was kinda stressed out at once point. :) I'll post more about it when I get pics.

That evening we got Bruster's icecream with the Crabbs and played cards. Depressing. In our 2008 championship the girls, of late, are getting creamed. So sad. $50 "blow money" and an entire Saturday free of kid responsibility is on the line--I know I need that more than Chris. :) (though, I"m sure he would disagree).

This morning was spent monogramming for friends while Ryan napped and Anna-Kate and Chris went Christmas shopping. We grilled burgers and hotdogs with our friends Drew and Ashley (in the 70 degree Christmas weather...)then had a Christmas party with our home group from church tonight. There are so many great people in our church--and we have been blessed to have so many live close to us! What fun we had talking, eating and then ending the evening with carols, praise songs and a time of prayer. Anna-Kate had a ball playing with the other little girls her age and singing "away in the manger"--her current fav.

Tomorrow we have another birthday party for Jesus at church. Should be fun. Then, after the kids' naps, my in-laws will be here. I think after they arrive it will "feel real" that Christmas is really here and the festivities are beginning. :)

Anna-Kate's pocket

Chris: "Anna-Kate, where'd my phone go?"
AK: "It's in my pocket"
Chris: "But you don't have a pocket." (she was wearing a smocked dress)
AK: "Yes I do, in here." Then points at her crouch. Ya, she had stuck the phone in her tights and was squeezing her legs together to keep it from sliding down and out of her "pocket".

She's a resourceful one, that girl. :) Ha!

Santa Claus is coming to town, and, a funny

Here are some pictures from last weekend's visit to Santa. Our neighborhood had a breakfast with Santa. So much fun, and a lot of yummy food! Unfortunately, our girl is petrified of Santa in person. At home she talks about him, told us that she was going to ask him for a baby (that looked like her) and a Nemo fish (lucky for her, my parents just got back from a business trip in Orlando and brought her back a Nemo!). One of my best friends, Allison, was up for the weekend while her husband, Matt, was interviewing at Emory for the residence program (YAY!!).

Here is precious Ryan chillin' in Santa's lap waiting for big sister to get it together:



Here is their together shot with Santa (pitiful):



A family shot with Santa:



Our family (eating, it's what we do best--"we're eaters") with Allison:



***

We've been teaching Anna-Kate about sincere apologies. Not just saying "I'm sorry", but to include the reason she is sorry, and also, when someone apologizes to her to tell them they "are forgiven" (and move on...).

She and I were playing this morning and she accidently poked me in the eye. I said ouch that she had hurt me.

AK: "I sorry Mommy"
I was about to prompt her with "for what?", and to include that it was an accident, but before I could say it, she said...
AK: "But it's OK, I forgive you Mommy".

Tears. I was so tickled.

Tag (x2)

Here's my latest "tag". I tag Kelly, Jenny, and Emily(always looking for good blog fodder, right?). Choose one or both.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper unless it's an odd shaped gift. I'm also really into color coordinating so everything looks good under the tree. And, of course, big bows. :)

2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake. I like my tree to look perfect, and perfection doesn't shed needles. Also, I like bending my branches to perfectly accomodate my ornaments.

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Early January. What? I love Christmas.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes! Especially with nutmeg.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My first American girl doll.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My in-laws.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Anna-Kate--I want to buy her everything!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. This is a tradition that should not ever be replaced by technology.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A cat shaped door holder (to keep the door from closing). I was like 12.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Probably during the summer....when I see a good gift I go ahead a buy it. I like being done with gifts wrapped by Thanksgiving so my tree looks pretty and I get to enjoy December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm not gonna deny it, though I can't think of something off the top of my head.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Japanese fruit cake

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, small white ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "O Holy Night" or "What child is this" if we are talking carols.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We have always traveled but this year we are staying home to begin our own traditions. I AM SO EXCITED to host!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think so?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. It's gold.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercialism. People being so stressed they can't enjoy Christmas.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I am blessed with many beautiful ornaments that have been given to me over my life time. Current colors are a deep red and gold for manel/tree skirt etc.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Sweet potatos, rolls, green beans, either ham or a tenderloin, JAPANESE FRUIT CAKE. (a Southern tradition that I LOVE).

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Money for new clothes. I have nothing that fits me.

****

Five names you go by:
1. Janelle
2. Mommy
3. Ma-ma
4. Babe
5. J

Three things you are wearing right now…not necessarily in any order
1. turtleneck
2. necklace
3. jeans

Two things you want very badly at the moment.
1. a nap
2. more hershey's with caramel in the middle (YUM).

Two things you did last night:
1. Beat the boys in some cards with my partner, Leigh-Ann
2. Ate yummy pizza at St. Angelo's

Two things you ate today
1. a turkey dog with mustard
2. Umm, hershey's with caramel (YUM). :)

Two people you last talked to on the phone
1. Ashley
2. Wendi (YAY FOR BABY!!)

Two things you are going to do tomorrow
1. Take Anna-Kate to MMO
2. Bake for bunco and our party over the weekend.

Three of your favorite beverages:
1. water
2. wine
3. diet dr. pepper

Bath time

I love bathtime. Honestly, usually because it's 20 minutes where Chris has both of the kids. But, last night I was bathing the kids....

Anna-Kate had a booger hanging from her nose so she wiped her nose and then put her hand in the water (so it floats away...)

AK: "OH NO! My booger, it's gone!"
Me: "It's ok, we're getting out now."
AK: "Come back booger, come back! Please come back booger?"

Can I file this under "things I thought I'd never hear"?

Eyes

The window to the soul....and yet, for my boy, often clouded by tears that just won't drain. My poor Ryan-boy.

Today, Chris came with me, and we took Ryan to the opthamologist about his clogged tear duct. Basically, most of the time it unclogs itself by 6 months, but his hasn't. (Actually, at 4 months it went away in both eyes, but at 6 months came back in only his right eyt). Soooo. The doctor said that's definately what it is, and that it will require surgery to fix it.

[In my head: "WHAT??? SURGERY ON MY LITTLE BABY...HE'LL BE PUT TO SLEEP?!?!?!?!ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!].

In reality I said, "so it won't fix itself?". His answer was probably not, and waiting until after their birthday is a bad thing because the effectiveness of the surgery goes down after age 1. If done before 12 months it is 90% effective, after 12 months, 60% effective. So, surgery it is--first thing in January. The real problem, apart from the constant gunk, is that the constant gunk signifies infection. Continual infection in the eye can lead to scaring.

Other than the annoyance of his eyes being dilated, he's been in good spirits today (even though we were there for 2 hours through his nap time). He is so sweet. We also found out he's a little near-sighted, but nothing they're are worried about yet. Geesh. If it's not one thing it's another....

Please pray for peace in my heart, even though I know this is "no big deal" and "so minor", I am still worried and know I will be so upset seeing him in the hospital and put under.

I've heard it before and it's so true..."To be a mother is to forever have your heart walking around outside of your body".

Holiday weekend wrap-up and catch up

So I heard there were those missing my kids' hilarious take on life. To my loyal readers, even though few post (ahem, yes, I'm talking to you)my sincerest apologies for not blogging. Thankfully, (though, I'm TIRED!) I've been swamped with business and that, coupled with the holidays has made me crazy busy!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent the whole day at my grandparents' house with the whole family and ate great food. A perfect holiday. Not only did we not have to travel out of town, I didn't even have to clean my house. How much better can it get? :) And, as I've been totally slack on posting, (ahem)I never got around to listing the things I"m thankful for. Obvious would be my family...both my husband and kids as well as our extended family. As well would be the Lord for providing for me in so many ways and the daily blessings He bestows.

***

Out of the blue Anna-Kate walked up to me today and said, "Mommy. That sweater is sooo cute on you". "Why, thank you", I responded. "Oh, you welcome Mommy". Seriously? Sounds like I'm talking to a peer. Ha! That kid cracks me up.

When she fell down after running in circles around the house, instead of crying she said, "I fell Mommy. That such a bummer."

We've been teaching Anna-Kate not to flip out if someone takes something or does something ugly to her, but to say "No thank-you", "I'm playing with it right now you can have a turn in a minute", or something of the like. So Ryan's new thing is pulling her hair (Not that it's OK, but it's where we're at.) His favorite time to pull her hair is when they are strapped in next to each other in the "buggy car" at Publix. So today I hear, "No thank you. NO THANK YOU RYAN. It's my hair right now". Classic.

***

Ryan is up on all fours crawling now. He is a man with a mission....and that mission would be to change locations as often as possible, you know, keep me guessing. His favorite place to go, you may be wondering? Ahh, Copper's pillow under the end table. Of course. The most disgusting thing that leaves my precious boy covered in dog hair. Super.

As much as he loves his new-found freedom of crawling, he prefers walking. Preferably holding my fingers, but almost as good is cruising alone. He's getting pretty quick. So here's a question. What do you do when they both start going in two different directions? Hmmm. I guess use Super-Mommy-Power to, in a split second, decide who needs help most and first. Ahh, the challenges. :)

***

Ryan's 9 month well baby appt was today. While his head is growing nicely (in the 97%, seriously??), he has lost a little weight and dropped into just under the 25%. Now, I know Chris and I aren't huge people, but we also aren't 25%'ers either. :) His doctor is making us come back in a few weeks for a weight check to see if this is his new percentile, or if he keeps dropping weight. Why is it never me who gets told to gain weight? That'll be the day.....

More Anna-Kate funnies

AK: "this is my baby adam." (I should add, her imaginary friend is also Adam. As is one of her best friends...she has "real adam" and "pretend adam", and now baby doll adam).
Me: "o hi baby adam."
AK: "no, not baby adam. boy adam mommy."

When I got home from getting my haircut (while she was napping) Anna-Kate walked up to me and said, "o your new hair cut is so cute mommy."

I cut my finger and said, "ow! that hurts!"
AK: "O honey, it's ok".

Funny and life update

Ryan was reading a fabric Elmo book and Anna-Kate decided she wanted it and tried to take it from him.
Me: Anna-Kate, that's not nice, give it back to Ryan.
AK: But it's mine.
Me: No, actually, it's Ryan's.
AK: It's mine, actually, Mommy.

At this point I started laughing. She got a very upset look on her face and said, "why you laugh at me Mommy?". I told her she was funny. "I not funny, I Anna-Kate, no laugh at me Mommy."

I feel like all I've done recently is monogram and make bows. I'm not complaining, in fact, I'm quite thankful. There are a few people at church keeping me pretty busy in the monogramming business. As far as bows go, business is booming, however, it makes my fingers raw after a while and my back hurts from hunching over. Chris, being the wonderful husband that he is, told me to go get a pedicure on Saturday to celebrate dropping off half of my bow order to the boutique and to have a little me time. YAY! ThankyouverymuchandI'llseeyoulater.

The other big thing occupying my time recently is Christmas choir at church. We have a beautiful program this year and I am so excited to see how it all comes together. (for anyone in the ATL area that is interested...Christ Church PCA on December 14 at 5 and 7--love to see you there!).

I think that's it. We'll see. We'll be celebrating Thanksgiving at my grandparents house in Atlanta, which will be nice. I'm definately looking forward to having Chris home and getting some much needed family time and CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS OUT.
***BRING ON THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!***

Catch up on pictures

Well, as I was looking through my camera I realized it had been a while since I had uploaded pics and posted them!

I love Saturday mornings. We are trying to make more traditions and memories for our kids. So, every Saturday we all pile in our bed and talk and laugh, sometimes watch a cartoon, then head downstairs to make pancakes and coffee. I love the sweet times!



Sweet Ryan playing with his favorite toy, the learning table. Poor guy had pink eye last week, but he was still as sweet and precious as ever.



I am in love with this picture of Anna-Kate and me. It is a self-portrait after church last Sunday. She is obsessed with seeing herself in pictures, thus the occasion.



Ryan's second favorite thing to do is crawl under the coffee table. Of course, he inevitably bangs his head on the table, but he does it repeatedly. Chris managed to catch them both under there laughing and playing. It warms my soul to hear them playing together!



And finally...today Anna-Kate put herself on the potty and went (#2) all by herself while I was nursing Ryan (which, PS, she said, "when my bee-bee's are bigger, I can feed Ryan too!"). She then proceeded to put both of her legs in one pantie leg and her pants on backwards. I helped with the panties, but wanted to document the backward pants. When I tried to tell her they were backwards she didn't agree at first, but as she kept having to yank up her pants to keep them up, she finally let me help her turn them around. :)

A major big deal!!!!!

So, yesterday I had a meeting with a local children's boutique owner. I had been a little nervous about it all week as I'm not a cold-call, walk-in-oozing-confidence- and-sell-a-product kind of girl...all that to say, my new best friend, Karen, at Polka Dot Kids, has agreed to buy my monogrammed bows!! Also, she is thinking about buying my burp cloths (that I've begun to applique--SOOO cute). YAY!!! (ya ya ya ya ya as Anna-Kate would say). Here is a picture of one of Anna-Kate's bows...just for your viewing pleasure:



I am so very thankful for this step in expanding my business. I feel truly blessed. I'm really enjoying it and I finally feel like I've found my niche as a stay at home mom who contributes a bit to the family. :) In case your itching with curiousity, there is a link to my business blog at the top right of this blog. :)

The sun

Me: "Anna-Kate, it's time for your nap."
AK: "Why mommy? I not sleepy."
Me: "Because it's 1:30 and it's naptime."
AK: "But Mommy, God made the sun, and the sun is up still. [it's] not night time."

How does one anwer that? Should I have pulled out the old "because I said so?". :) Thankfully, she hopped in bed...and a mere 1 1/2 hours later, fell asleep. Geesh.

My haul for the week

....at Walgreens....where else?

2 Electrasol gelpac (32 pack) dishwashing detergents
4 cans swanson chicken broths
3 (3 packs) glade candles
2 glade glass candle holders
1 glade air freshener plugin with nightlight
2 almay lipglosses
2 loreal lipglosses
2 packs of dunkin donuts coffee.
1 children's benadryl

Total: $79.01

My total out of pocket: $ 15.60

A little high for an oop, but I got some really expensive stuff that I really needed.

Bedtime Prayers

So, every night we pray before bed. Recently, we've started getting Anna-Kate to say a few words in prayer. We ask who she wants to pray for and let her go, then Chris or I will close.

Her first "real" prayers were last week. She prayed 3 nights in a row for Papa.

"Thank you God (for) Papa. He doesn't feel good". (my grandfather who was in the hospital with what we thought was pneumonia, turned out to be acute bronchitis).

So, last night, she said she wanted to pray for Poppy (my dad).

"God is great.
God is great.
Let us thank Him for Poppy.
By this bread, we are fed. Amen."

I had to look away and breath funny not to laugh at how funny and sweet it was. At school, before lunch, they've taught them to pray,

" God is good,
God is great,
let us thank Him for this food.
By this bread, we are fed, Amen." Actually, there are a couple of more lines at the end that she sometimes adds on, but I can't quite make them out yet. She gets really shy when she prays and talks super low.

Isn't that precious? I had to share. :)

Tag!

I'm it. I was (sorta) tagged by my friend and given the letter "n".

So, here's my list of 10 things I love that start with N.

1. New shoes. And clothes.
2. Neat and tidy...everything to be organized.
3. Nail polished toes.
4. Nutmeg in egg nog. YUM.
5. Notebook. (as in the the movie, "The Notebook")
6. Nice words.
7. November (and Thanksgiving).
8. The Nash side of my family (and others as well, but I'm going with N.)
9. New friends.
10. Necklaces...you know, ones that tie the whole outfit together.

Hmm, now whose turn? Let me know if you want a letter. :)

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

Know the song? It’s in my playlist. Click on it.

This song has meant a lot to me for a long time. The end refrain, “you give and take away” (and my church changes it to say) “my heart by grace will say, Lord blessed be Your Name”. Life isn’t fair, things don’t always go my way. It’s life, and no one ever promised me my way. (Just ask my mom. She often reminded me of this fact as I was growing up. Often.) I’ve had sadness and losses in my life, but God gives grace sufficient to overcome heartache. He never stops being in control, His will is never altered; these things He promises.

Well, the election of ’08 is over—praise the Lord! I am so over all of the political signs, ads, slander etc that comes with a Presidential election. I’ve seen and heard a lot of Christians talking about doomsday and the end of America as we know it. My question is this. Did God stop being in control yesterday? (hoping to hear a resounding NO….)Obama was not my choice for President, but he was Gods choice. Who am I to question that? I have been called to respect the office and to pray for wisdom for him as he leads our country.

Blessed be the name of The LORD. He is in control, He chose our 44th president, and His will has been, and will continue to be, done. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Not to get all political on a fun, family-updating blog…but had to share my thoughts.

For your reading pleasure, the lyrics.

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

***
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Halloween

Yesterday was jam-packed for us, and we had SUCH a fun day! Anna-Kate (and I) had friends over for lunch. I made mummy dogs. They were a huge hit. :) Then, after naps, we went to a Halloween party with a lot of Anna-Kate's friends in the neighborhood for dinner and outside play. After that was trick-or-treating on a couple of streets, then, off to school (MMO) for a their fall festival. While there, Anna-Kate rode a pony, jumped on a bounce house, had some snacks and rode on the hayride. SO MUCH FUN! We came home at 8:40, Ryan was a trooper, who got sent straight to bed, but Anna-Kate and I went to our neighbors (across the street) party for a few minutes before she went to bed and fell asleep.

Immediately. The fastest she's ever fallen asleep. Ever.

Here are the kids all dressed up. "Dorfy" (as she calls herself) and the "Courgeous" lion:



On the hayride (Anna-Kate had a permanent grin on her face, she loved it):



Last week, before the sickness' of the kids, we went to a pumpkin patch. We had a great time and Anna-Kate loved getting to choose her own pumpkin!

Sadly, the best picture I got of both kids at the pumpkin patch:



Anna-Kate sitting in the middle of the pumpkins (punkins):



Ryan standing with a pumpkin:



Family picture:

Making money and saving money

Well, the economy is bad. I think we can all agree. I'm doing my best to contribute as a stay at home mom. Here's what I've got. :)

I bought a plain long sleeved t-shirt at Target and appliqued and embroidered it for a friend. I had so much fun doing it, I'm thinking of adding applique to my business line. (for which there is now a link on the top right portion of my blog. Let me warn you, my site is free, so it's not the greatest website in the world, but it works. And it's free. :) How's that for an introduction?). Here's a picture of the finished shirt:



Isn't it PRECIOUS??? I love it!

*********************************

Now, for saving money...on my weekly trip to Walgreens I had some great deals.

5 (12 packs) Diet Dr. Pepper
3 (12 packs) Diet Coke
2 L'Oreal eye shadows
1 Almay mascara
1 Almay eye liner
2 (1 qt. each) bottles Pedialyte
1 super pack Huggies pullups.
2 (2 pack's) of Walgreens brand Nuby sippie cups

Grand Total: $80.88

After coupons, store credit and sales my out of pocket was: $5.39

Plus, I have $2 reward dollars for next week, and a $7.70 rebate coming to me.

Healing and funnies

Well, we are all better (Praise the LORD!!!) and GOING OUT!!! (no more cabin fever!). Anna-Kate went to school on Tuesday where she got to use "real" paint (as opposed to the crayola magic kind she gets at home) to paint her own pumpkin. She was so proud if it..."punkin" is sitting on our front porch. The beauty of MMO? They do real paint and glitter. So I don't have to.

Today we went to Bible study at church, then to the hospital to visit Papa. Last night he was admitted and originally diagnosed with pneumonia (what is it about this illness and us?!?!). Thankfully, we found today that it's only acute bronchitus. I was scared to take the kids in, so Mom met us downstairs and played with the kids in the chapel--which was empty--(is it less germy in there?) while I visited with my grandparents and Julia, my moms sister. Should be an interesting day as we didn't get home from the hospital until 2:45...the kids usually go down at 1/1:30....

Anna-Kate has had some funny new sayings and perceptions on life lately...

"I have dimons Mommy!" (referring to the shiny new dime Chris gave her for her piggy bank).

Her new thing is discussing her favorite things. Like, the yogurt I buy (because it's cheap), "o, yum, that's my favorite yogurt Mommy". Milk? "Mmm, my favorite milk". Guess her favorite color? You got it, "PINK!"

When she poops she likes privacy...except for Copper, she requires that he sit in there with her. Misery likes company? :) But it generally takes Chris or me calling him, because, he isn't interested in joining her in the bathroom. But, she tries. "Copper, Cop? Come here Copper. Mommy, Copper is not obeying me. He needs big pops ok?" (conversation from yesterday).

"Chill out Ryan, Mommy help me now" (she is generally really patient and calming for her brother, but after "shhing" doesn't work and "it's OK Ryan" she is over it. :)).

She has learned a lot of praise songs and will randomly start singing them. What an unbelievable uplift it is to hear a two year old sing so sweetly, "Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your holy name" and "my God is mighty to save...forever, Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave".

Disappointment

So both of the kids went to the pediatrician today. Both for rechecks. Anna-Kate's lungs are clear and she is acting and feeling normal and great. Unfortunately, she has to stay away from other kids over the weekend as she doesnt' cough into her elbow 100% of the time (do you?). I almost cried when the doctor told me that this morning. Seriously? We havent left the house since Saturday. All week she's been asking about her friends. She didn't get to go to school, we skipped the Halloween craft at friends' house yesterday, and today was the big Halloween party that she and I stuffed goodie bags for weeks ago. She (and I...) have been so excited to go! I know it's piddly and not a big deal in the grand scheme of life, but we were both so sad and disappointed. Thankfully, Chris worked from home today (to help me at the ped's with 2 kids), so he stayed home while I went to the party to set-up. I got to see some of my friends, and brought home party food, crafts and a goodie bag for Anna-Kate. She LOVED it--her eyes were filled with such excitement and joy at her dino shaped chicken nuggest, mini-cupcake with a candy corn on top and cheese and crackers.

In less self-centered news....Ryan has really bad double ear infections. Explains why he cried 80% of the time he was awake yesterday. Thankfully, he is still sleeping and nursing well. We started him on his first prescription today, amoxicillan. Unfortunately, I am stupid. The safety plastic part that comes on the syringe...ya, I didn't realize you were supposed to take it off before giving the medicine. So I spilled a majority of it on the front of him.

What can I say, it's been a long week. :)

8 months old!

Well, he's had better month "birthdays", but here it is, his 8th. :) He is in better spirits after his nap, so hopefully he's on the mend now as well.

As I found out yesterday at the pediatrician's office (ah-ha! another "silver lining"--to keep up with his stats for the baby book!)that he weighs 18.1 lbs. So much bigger than Anna-Kate at that age. She's 29.1 lbs now.

Happy 8 month birthday, sweet boy! I love you. Hope next month is better for ya! :)

Silver Linings

So, I'm not gonna lie, today was harder than yesterday. It's been a looooong 72 hours in my life.

As posted yesterday, Anna-Kate is sick and has been very needy of me as of late. Last night, I heard Ryan coughing a few times but wasn't too concerned. The doctor told me that he would likely get a cough, not to worry. This morning however he woke up covered in various colors of snot with an alternating "productive" cough and a hoarse/dry/croak cough (it sounded painful and like he had lost his voice--even though he isn't talking). He was miserable. So was I.

Chris encouraged me to take him in.....so, for the second day in a row, I hauled it to the pediatricians office. This time with two sick children. I am so lucky.

After waiting for 45 minutes (during his morning nap that he skipped) he cried the whole time the doctor was in with us. She couldn't draw a conclusive diagnosis because of this and because of that, coupled with his young age and Anna-Kate's diagnosis, she sent us to the hospital for x-rays. Could my day possibly get any better? (dripping with sarcasm...)

I had to wait another 45 minutes, then strip him to his diaper, sit him on a mini-bicycle seat with his arms straight up around his ears and then all strapped in around his belly, arms and head. Needless to say, he hated that. Can you blame him? He was screaming. Anna-Kate was hysterical at being taken behind the door to avoid x-rays. I was crying to see my baby so upset. I finally got him, redressed him and got everyone calm.

Then the tech came back.

Yep, the image was blurry. I had to strip him and do it all again. Nightmare, end, make it stop!

The doctor called a few hours later to say that his lungs were not inflamed yet--but to be really aggressively saline drop him to keep it clear. Obviously, I didn't want him to be sick, but all that and it's just a bad cough/cold?

So, after feeling sorry for myself all day I determined that my attitude was completely out of whack and I needed to just be thankful for my blessings. Here is my list of thanks.....the silverlinings, if you will, to this black cloud of a day (or week, so far).

1. Anna-Kate is a little better, Ryan isn't too sick, and they will both ultimately be fine.

2. When babies are sick they are deliciously snuggly, warm and cuddly.

3. People feel sorry for you and are kinder and more helpful (while I was filling out paperwork a lady walked my stroller in circles around the waiting room trying to calm Ryan down).

4. You get to cut in line (they moved me up in front of 2 others at the hospital--possibly since he was screaming, but whatever).

5. My ego gets stroked (you know, "wow, you are so patient". "what a saint, this must be so hard for you". "your kids are precious even when sick".)

So the last one is kind of a joke.

Kind of.

Sicky-sickerton

Anna-Kate, as she is also known.

She had an extremely high fever (and etc...) on Saturday night and we have been giving motrin around the clock......took her to the doctor today on a friends' suggestion (I'm always hesitant to be that mom who takes their kid in for every cough...). Yep...verdict is....she has pneumonia. Poor kid. She is so listless and miserable. Had a fever today of 102.5, but we're on the heavy duty meds now, so hopefully we're on the road to recovery.

Say a prayer for her--and also that Ryan won't get it. And, if you really feel sorry for us, for me too--patience, and energy, are underrated needs in the life of a mommy of sick kiddos.

Here they are......hysterical!

Here are the videos of Anna-Kate dancing at the wedding on Saturday (thanks Mom for the video and Kendel for informing me how!!).



and another.....

Playgroup and Walgreens!

Playgroup was at our house today, and Anna-Kate sure enjoyed having her friends over! As I've been trying to be better about scrapbooking, I have been trying to be better about taking pictures that can then be scrapbooked. (See how nicely that works?) :) Anyway. Here is a picture of the kids today taking a break in the 88 degree weather (it is October, isn't it??)



And now for Walgreens. I'm hoping my parents stop by tomorrow before they head to the airport (going to San Antonio for a visit). So, in an effort to be here, I went to Walgreens tonight while Chris was home instead of during Anna-Kate's school time tomorrow. Jolly the things Ryan gets to do with me, huh? Poor guy...but I digress.



2 containers clorox wipes
2 lysol kitchen spray bottles
2 (64 oz)bottles Welches grape juice
2 Reynolds aluminum foil
2 Robitussin cough syrup
1 Dimetapp cough syrup
1 kotex pads
2 kotex tampons
1 RX
1 each of milky way, snickers, 100 grand, and twix (for halloween)

Initial total: $69.01
Total out of pocket: $5.40 (PLUS $13 in register rewards--free money--for next time!)

I should add, Walgreens had an add in the paper this week for a $25 gift card for a transferred RX. I already had my prescription there. So, I asked the pharmacist if I really needed to move my business to CVS and then back again. She said no, she'd just give me the gift card if I filled my prescription there tonight. Super, consider it done. :)

Sweet Anna-Kate

Chris worked from home today so while Ryan was taking his morning nap, Anna-Kate and I went to the final consignment sale of the season and ran a few other errands. For a while now, every time we get in the car she asks, "where I going?". So I told her we were going to a store. She looks up and says, "Oh, we go Target". Sure enough, we were in the Target parking lot....think we go too much? :)

We have been talking alot about whispering (like, in bed before going to sleep she can whisper). Tonight we were all 4 on the ground playing and Anna-Kate walked over to me and said, "Mommy, I need to tell you a secret" and leaned in to my ear. In her best toddler whisper (you know, the very loud quiet voice :)) she says, "Mommy, I sure love you" then gave me the sweetest smile. Melt my heart.

School

I love school days. Apart from the sweet time I get with my little Ryan, (and the work I get done during his nap!)Anna-Kate has such a great time at school and there are always such cute things to report on. For example...we are always the last to school in the morning. Always. But every morning I open the door and her friends, Asa and Ansley, both start screaming, "Anna-Kate, Anna-Kate's here!" and run over to give her a hug. Now while this is precious, I have a great sense of joy that my child has made friends who care about her...even at the tender age of 2.

Her age brings me to my next "nugget". When we get home, I put Ryan down for his nap and she and I have a little snack and talk about her day (I've found she won't nap if I put her straight down since she's too riled up, and I love our special time). Anyway. We have a digital picture frame in the kitchen and she looked up just in time to see a picture of her, on her first birthday, covered in cake. She said, "Oh, there's Anna-Kate eating cake. I so messy Mama". I agreed then told her that was the year she turned one. I then asked, "how old are you now Anna-Kate?". She didn't say anything, so I held up 2 fingers and told her to count them. She says, "one, two...I TWO! I am so old Mommy!"

It has begun.....and the weekend.

We moved Ryan's crib to a lower setting over the weekend. Ahh! How can it be? Our boy is getting so big! He is C-R-A-W-L-I-N-G! He is, however, quite selective about what he will crawl for. For example, a paci or toy? Absolutely not. He'll content himself with something else, or roll to it in a minute when he feels like it. Food or something electronic (Daddy's blackberry is a personal favorite)--he is on it! He gets up on his knees and goes backwards, or he goes with the tried and truly mastered belly/army crawl and can make pretty decent time. :)

Last Wednesday, my oldest childhood friend (we've been friends since we were 6!!) and her 4 month old son came to visit! We had such a great time hanging out and doing fun craft projects together. She taught me how to make a dipee and wipee (diaper holder) but until I've played with it a bit more, I'll hold off posting a picture. :) Her parents were also in town for a fundraiser for the justice foundation and they came for dinner one night. In addition, Christina's mom (who has the same embroidery machine that I do) was very helpful with tips and suggestions. All of the women and kids went to the square in Marietta and enjoyed window shopping, sipping on coffee and eating pizza for lunch outside--SUCH FUN!

On Saturday I co-hosted a baby shower for my good friend with a couple of other girls. She got a lot of great gifts and we all had a lot of fun. I love going to showers! :)

Anna-Kate and I left the boys at home and went to a family wedding in Gainesville. We had a lot of fun seeing extended family (my parents, grandparents, aunt and other family I see far less often were all there). The highlight of the evening, even though the food, open bar and candy bar were all fabulous, was the dancing. As this was Anna-Kate's first wedding she was like a kid in a candy shop--big wide eyes and LOVING it! The girl danced up a storm! She danced with me, then Nana and Poppy--then moved on to bigger and better. She danced with the bridesmaids, the bride, (the "pretty princess") the band ("watch that baby go" the singer said a couple of times), and finally led the second line with a parasol in the New Orleans style dance. She danced for about an hour. Straight. Took a quick water break and wanted more! We finally left at 9:50 for the 1 hour + drive home. The next morning she told Chris about all the food we had ("and cake" was added after each addition) and then she mentioned the dancing and told him all the people she danced with. She closed with, "daddy, you want to dance with me to?" Precious memories.

My mom got video of it...so if anyone wants to share how to post that, I will gladly put it on my blog. :)

My big deals!

So at Walgreens last week my total was $86.44.



2 full size cascade dishwashing detergent
2 Puffs boxes
2 legal size boxes of envelopes
2 full size bottles of Crest
2 bottles of Dawn
2 bottles of Febreeze
2 bottles of Gillette Shampoo
1 package (of 8) Quattro razors
1 Oral-B toothbrush
1 L'Oreal disposable washcloths
1 Pledge multi-surface cleaner (wipes)
1 bag of Dumb-Dumbs (trick-or treaters)
$6 of non-sale personal things, not pictures, enough said. :)

After coupons, etc, new out of pocket total: $16.86.

I also have almost $20 rebate coming to me and $9.50 to spend (free) on my next purchase--so in essence, they paid me to take all of this stuff! :)

Growin' up!

Well, Ryan is a little over 7 months now.....and yesterday, went from sitting, to on his belly, to rolling everywhere and then sat back up again! He also is getting on hands and knees and moving backwards and--SAY IT AIN'T SO--getting mobile! He is pulling up on stuff and practicing his walking holding my hands. Ahh, my sweet little boy....time flies too quickly.

Great weekend, back to it at home.

We had our church family retreat this weekend and had a wonderful time! We were in Cohutta Springs (almost to TN) at a lodge. It was beautiful, Anna-Kate had a great time with here friends (and playing with all of the older kids out on the lawn), we had a great time of worship and hearing The Word from Dr. Richard Pratt, and the fellowship with other families was great. It's hard that we live so far from church, we struggle to really connect well with others as we are always rushing out the door to get the kids home for their naps.

Now we are back to normal and the swing of things here. I've been really praying about ways to save money and be a better steward of the things God has given us. So, I've been reading up on "couponing" through various sites. Today, for example, at Publix, I was able to bring my total from $100.96 to $74.82. Coupled with that is the savings I've had at Walgreens, and I am keeping my total shopping budget to $100 a week (diapers, cleaning supplies, paper supplies, toiletries and food). If I can cut $25 a week and save $100 a month that would be $1200 a year extra to put towards savings. That's significant!

In other news, Copper got attacked by a dog today. It was a neighbors dog, so we know he doesn't have rabies or anything. Both kids were outside with us when it happened, and, as I was screaming, Anna-Kate freaked out and was crying. Chris literally kicked the dog off of Copper. Copper's been pretty shaken up all night...and so have I. It was really scary...I think really I was scared because I didn't know what to do and kept thinking, "what if this was one of my kids?"

To lighten the tone....tonight Chris was reading a book to Anna-Kate and realized it was getting time to take a bath.

Chris: "Anna-Kate, it's 7:30 and time to take your bath."
AK: "No daddy, not 7:30, it's 7:49".

Ha.

Swingin' the ABC's

Ryan is finally big enough that he's been enjoying the swing--almost as much as Anna-Kate.



Anna-Kate enjoying the "big girl" swing, while it was Ryan's turn on the dolphin:



Both kids happy. Warms a mothers heart.



Chris' friend from work gave us the dolphin swing--and let me just say that it is a huge hit! Through watching playgroup I've certainly seen first hand that sweet adorable children are fallen, sinful human beings (not that there was any doubt, but anyway). Of course, every child wants what every other child wants at the exact same moment. In our case, this is inevitably the dolphin swing. So what's a mother hosting six 2 year olds to do? Teach sharing.

Super.

How can we do that with so many kids? We sing! All of the kids love to sing their ABC's, and it is just long enough that the kid swinging gets a full turn, then they all know it's time to trade after the song is through. Now, when Anna-Kate wants something, she says, "I sing my ABC's Mommy". I can't take full credit for this stroke of genious, another mom started it, but we have certainly continued it and spread the sharing joy through other playgroups as well. Try it sometime. :)

a continuation of my earlier post

When we went to get Ryan up from his nap, she climbed up on the railing to look in on him. He was on his belly and looked up, grinning, at her. She says, "o wow, Ryan need a trim Mommy". I said, "does he have crazy hair?" She replies, "o yes."

After I nursed him, I put him sitting down on the ground while I helped her go potty. We came back to his room and she saw a stack of clothes I bought ahead for next spring for him. She holds the first thing up, "o this is cute" then put it on his lap. Then, "o this cute too Ryan", and put it on his lap...continued through 3 more items.

We walked downstairs for me to feed him his solids. I said, "Ok Anna-kate, you need to play by yourself for a little bit so Mommy can feed Ryan". Her response? "I know Mommy, I know."

The world as seen by Anna-Kate

I walk in her room this morning (she's been awake for a little bit and her closet door was open). "Mommy, I want to wear new fall clothes." Seriously? I guess she'd been looking at them for a while. :)

While reading a book she sees a picture of a bull. "what's that?" I ask. "A baby" she says. "No, a bull, a daddy cow" I say. "No, baby bull--he's got a paci" (his pierced nose with a ring).

AK:"What time is it?"
JH: "Uh, 8:05."
AK: "Why?"
JH: Because that's what time it is."
AK: "why?"
JH: "because that's when you wake up"
AK: "Why?"...................

When she woke up from her nap yesterday, my Mom went in to get her. Anna-Kate said, "Nana, my daddy flew an airplane to work today." Pretty good memory I think.

Such a helper

Yesterday I was preparing to make a pot of coffee. I don't usually drink coffee in the mornings, but it was one of those mornings. Ahhh. Ryan woke up at 6:45 in hysterics. Forgive me, but I was unaware that hour existed, and am fully happy to forget it from this day forward--yuck. Anyway, as I was getting the coffee out Anna-Kate came running into the kitchen saying, "I help you Mommy, I help!". What sweet words! I was so excited at her enthusiasm and told her that I would indeed love her help. So, she dutifully dragged the chair over to "help" (aka being able to see and try to scrounge food within reach). Anyway.

JH: "I'm so happy you want to help Mommy make coffee".
AK: "No Mommy, no coffee. I make cake."
JH: "Well honey, it's morning and we aren't making a cake right now."
AK: "But I want cake...with iciiiiiiing." (the multiple "i's" are supposed to denote the whine...)
JH: "Well, we aren't' making one today, sorry."
AK: "but why?"

Please, use your imagination for how this conversation continued for another few minutes and then finally ended with, "because Mommy said so."

Glad to know she wanted to help... :)

Why Mama?

Yep, we're there. Here's how her bath went tonight.

AK: Why there bubbles in my hair Mama?
Me: Because there is shampoo in your hair.
AK: Why shampoo?
Me: To make your hair clean.
AK: Why that? (pointing to conditioner)
Me: To make your hair soft.
AK: Why Mama?
Me: Because I like soft hair.
AK: Why?
Me: Because it feels nice.
AK: Why soft?
Me: Soft, you know like lotion on skin--it feels good.
AK: Oh. Well Mommy, where's my heart?
Me: Right here (as I point to her chest).
AK: Why?
Me: Because that's where God put it.
AK: Why in here?
Me: To keep it safe.
AK: I need new heart riiiiiight here (points to her arm where giggles the clown painted one at the beach.

Tiring but funny

************

Anna-Kate now "reads" books with me (ie, she has them memorized and quotes it as I read). So I was reading a Sandra Boynton "Dinosaurs" book. The words are:
"Dinosaurs early and dinosaurs later...
dinosaurs crammed in an elevator".

She said, "...dinosaurs cammed in belly later."

So, I guess I need to work on my diction.

************

I can't begin to say how blessed I was by my children today. They were actually playing together, and it warms my soul and almost makes me cry at how sweet it is. Anna-Kate was lovingly hugging her brother, giving him kisses and sharing balls, rattles etc with him. He responded with continuous giggles as his eyes just followed her wherever she went.

She is crazy about him, and he certainly loves his sister! I keep hearing about babies' first word being their older siblings' name (as that's what they hear all day). Thankfully, Anna-Kate is a mouthful. Hopefully I have "mama" in the bag. :)

An American tradition! :)

Well, it's official. Our little girl had her first cheeseburger happy meal yesterday. She started singing the Cheeseburger song from Veggie Tales right before lunch time. Then, she got it in her head that she wanted to eat on as well. Chris was working from home--to save $$ on gas, and since our gas stations were out over the weekend--so off we went for lunch. I could kick myself for not taking my camera to McDonalds, but alas, I did not. So, here are pics from when we got home.

Showing me her happy meal:


Actually smiling for me:


I was trying to get a picture of her "prize"--Glenda (the good witch) from Wizard of Oz. Madame Alexander is doing the McD's toys right now. Glenda didn't make the picture in this self-portrait:


Here's "Glenda baby", as she is called:


**************************

The second tradition Anna-Kate participated in is making an apple pie. These are the pics from last week in Macon when Mom enlisted help cutting out flowers and hearts for the top of the pie. :)

Sobering words.

I read this yesterday on a blog I frequently read.

Please take the 2 minutes to read this--the words are chilling and deeply impacted me--both as a mother and as an American.

No more monkey jumping on the bed.;..

Today Chris and Anna-Kate were talking....

AK: "I sick. Need medicine." (She's totally into playing doctor and loves it when her friends have "doctor kits")
Daddy: "well if you need medicine you need to go to the doctor first, that's how it works. Daddy call the doctor?"
Ak: "Ohhh. NO more monkey's jumping on the bed.
Daddy: "Is that what the doctor said?"
AK: "yes, it is".

I've never read her that book, so I guess they read that in school. So funny what they remember. :)

Visit to Macon

My parents graciously (very little arm-twisting involved :)) agreed to watch Copper while we went to the beach. So today, we headed down to Macon for a short visit and to get the dog. We had a great time and Anna-Kate helped Mom make an apple pie (she cut out pieces of crust into hearts and flowers to put on top. It was delic by the way...). She had such a great time and I got some cute pics that I'll post later. I'm too tired now...and our keyboard is all jacked up and sticking such that typing is a pain--thus, I'm on Chris' laptop....but I digress.

Two great little nuggets of hilarity from today:

If you read my post yesterday, you'll remember the "y" (long e sound) added to all nouns...well today she was jumping around (her new thing is jumping on one foot). She bumped into the coffee table and said, quite loudly, "owie Mommy, I got a boo-bie a booooo-beee!". I said, "you have a boo-boo Anna-Kate?" "Yes, a boo-bie". Mom and I were crying , literally, we were laughing so hard.

In Sunday school last week Anna-Kate's class learned about Adam and Eve ("Eve so bad Mommy") and how being disobediant is sin and makes Jesus sad etc. So today she and Mom were outside with Copper and the dog started to walk away. Anna-Kate said, "Cop. Cop-peeer. Come back here." Copper completely ignored her and walked in the other direction. She turns to my mom and said, "Copper is being so disobendiant Nana."

Hilarious I tell ya.

Is it all girls?

We have entered a new phase. There is now a "y" added to all nouns. For example:

"I drinking my milk-y".
"Where's my spoon-y, my spoony?"

I mean, I guess it makes sense......all her favorite things end in "y". Mommy, Daddy, lamby...

It was kinda cute for a day, now it's a bit annoying. Hoping it doesn't last too long.

To offset that, she has some cute new phrases.

"I need new toes Mommy" (as her nail polish had come off in the water).
"I go to Bible school" (every night and day--referring to MMO).
"Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full" (when Chris corrects her to say "yes sir" instead of "yes Ma'am". I think it's hilarious).
"O dokey doc jones" (Chris thought it would be great to teach her "okey dokey Dr. Jones" from Indian Jones--is it temple of doom?--anyway, she does it now.)

6 months old

Well, I was waiting for my kids' pediatrician to come back from maternity leave, so I scheduled Ryan's 6 month well-baby a bit late. He is doing perfectly! 16.14 lbs
(50%)and 26 1/2" tall (50%). She was impressed with his perfect posture while sitting. :) He's eating like a champ and she was even more impressed that he was feeding himself now. I confessed to having given him both puffs and cheerios, and she couldn't believe he was already picking it up off his tray and putting them in his mouth. What can I say, we're eaters. :)

In not so good news....Ryan's had a really rough day today. On top of the 4 shots he got, the doctor found his boy parts to have adhesions (from his circumcision) and had to force the skin back. Needless to say, it is raw looking and she told me to give him motrin for the next 24-48 hours for pain. Poor guy. (Note to all mothers out there...be on not letting that happen to your boys.). He was pitiful all night.

Not much else new. I've got another consignment sale coming up this week that I quite excited about.

That's about it. :)

Destin '08!

We had a WONDERFUL time at the beach! Thankfully, the hurricanes didn't ruin our time. Monday poured buckets (Happy Labor Day!) but the rest of the week was perfection. The kids had a great time in the zero entry pool with a waterfall and hot tub, and of course, at the beach! We drove to an area with great waves and deserted beaches, but our resort also had a boat that ferried us to a private beach inlet. Although there weren't fun waves to play in, it was great as the rip current was almost non-existent, and there were tons of crabs, fish etc for the kids to catch and watch. :) We cooked in a few nights, went out to dinner some, the boys played xbox during the kids' naps while Leigh-Ann and I went to the pool to get some sun. We played a lot of cards, watched some of the RNC, and generally had a wonderful time of fun and fellowship!

At the beach the first night after dinner at Pompano Joe's. I had a shrimp and fish dinner--delicious!


We sooo have a water baby in Anna-Kate! She loved the beach!


Family pic


At the pool:




Ryan's first finger food (he LOVED banana puffs! He's really good at it too).


Ryan and his girlfriend, Lydia Crabb, holding hands in their bumbos. :)


Burying Daddy and Anna-Kate:


Adam and Anna-Kate with Giggles the clown. A restaurant near our building had her there doing face painting (or hand painting, in our case) and balloon's for free. This was a HUGE hit with the kids:


Riding the ferry boat to the beach. Anna-Kate thought this was the greatest thing ever!


Leigh-Ann and I at the beach. We were livin' it up in the sun!!


In our shades:


Our last family picture on Saturday before we left (trying to get a little energy out before the 6 hour drive home)


Sweet girl playing with her brother. :)


Could he be any sweeter?


She loves watching fish. :)


That's all for this year. When she woke up this morning she said, "I go to beach Mama." I told her we had to come home and we'll see the beach another time. She said, "Mommy, I miss beach."

Ya, me too.