Pool Time!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Jake calls the pool the "beach". He asks throughout the day if we can go to the beach.

One of the reasons we bought in the section of our neighborhood that we did, was because it was within walking distance of the pool. The pool looked great. It is large, has a huge shallow end with a gradual entry & has life guards. Since we don't know anyone in our neighborhood (not even on our side of town!) we are hoping to meet some friends at the pool. Last Thursday afternoon, Jake & I ventured down to the pool. Now, everyone says that Jake looks just like Robbie, but I can definitely see some of my personality in him. I do not like new things. I like things that are old, comfortable, and routine. I'm not one to just walk up to people and introduce myself. Jake & I got to the pool and sat on 2 lounge chairs for at least 20 minutes looking at each other. Finally we inched towards the water. We've been 2 other times since. We are slowly opening up to it. No friends yet. Well, I take that back. Last time we went, I was befriended by a six-year-old who also has the name Emma. (She told me that she knows lots of girls that are 6 & 7 years old named Emma but she has never heard of a grown-up named Emma. Glad I could amuse her.) Emma followed Jake & I around for the rest of the afternoon. Guess her mom wasn't concerned that her daughter was following around an adult & 3 year old boy. I guess when I asked to meet friends at the pool, I should have specified that they be within 20 years of my age.

Baby Showers

Saturday, May 19, 2012

My baby sister, Lindsey is pregnant with her first child & due in July. We are just SO excited for her & Brooks! I'm especially ready for the baby to come so we can find out if they are having a boy or a girl!! And I'm sure Lindsey is ready because she is tired of me asking 1) why are they not finding out the sex; 2) are they really sure they don't want to find out the sex; & 3) are they sad that so far nothing is monogrammed or blue or pink. Here answers are always yes, yes & no. While it has been hard on someone like me who likes everything to be monogrammed & gender colored, I have to admit, it will definitely be more exciting of a surprise once the baby has come! Lindsey has done awesome during the pregnancy & I'm so proud of her. I cannot wait to spoil this little baby rotten. I was 7 when Lindsey was born & I felt like she completely cramped my style. Plus I had to share a room with her. It always seemed like we were in different places in our lives. When she was a toddler, I was already in school. When she was in elementary school, I was in high school. When she was in high school, I was just getting out of college. We did both marry within 3 months of each other, but then Rob & I got pregnant right away, so I only had 9 months of being a newlywed with her before I became a mom. But now, finally, we are in the same place! We have become closer & closer over the years and I love her dearly with all of my heart. Lindsey has one of the kindest souls I've ever met and many times I've wished that I could be kinder & softer like her. I cannot wait to meet little surprise gender Harvard & get to know his/her sweet little personality (& buy that kid some blue or pink!!).

On to the pictures... Usually it doesn't matter to me if someone finds out the gender, because I procrastinate & don't get around to giving the gift until after the baby is born. That way I know the gender & name. Since I know neither on this one, coming up with gifts was an adventure. Needless to say, they got lots of gray & white and the letter H! 

Diaper Cake. It's been so long since I've made one. I forgot how much I love them!

Both Lindsey & Brooks graduated from the University of Alabama, so of course I had to throw in some elephants.

I gave her a box that included some of my favorite things - Medela Steam Bags, Zipper Sleep & Plays, Disposable Changing Pads & a Miracle Blanket (BEST swaddling blanket ever!)

My hardest project - a hospital door hanger. I saw all these cute ones online made out of burlap, so I figured of course I can make that. Much harder than I thought. It also was a challenge considering they don't know the sex, so the name cannot be confirmed until they find out the sex. So I made everything changeable. The sign hanging down from the carriage is blue on one side & says the boy's name and is pink on the other side & says the girl's name. I didn't know if Lindsey had told everyone the names yet, so that is why it is wrapped in white tissue paper! The 3rd sign just lists the details about the birth. Now my fingers are just crossed that it doesn't completely fall apart after 5 minutes of hanging on a door!

The shower!! Lindsey had a baby shower hosted by her friends in Atlanta. So my mom, sister-in-law Leigh Ann & I drove over to Atlanta Saturday morning. It was so much fun getting to meet her friends. They have a close friendship and I'm so happy that she has found such great friends.

Me, Lindsey & Leigh Ann

The girls - Leigh Ann, my mom, Lindsey & me

Lindsey with just a few of her many gifts

Lindsey with her hostesses

 Sunday, May 20, 2012

On Sunday, I had the privilege of helping host a shower for one of our friends that tailgates with us, Katherine. She is having a little girl! Finally, after 7 boys, someone is having a little girl! She will be due in July and we cannot wait to meet her this fall!

The menu cards

It's A Girl! Banner

Melanie did the shower favors. Aren't they cute?!? It was lemonade powder in little jars. I will definitely be stealing that cute idea!

The hostesses. On the far left is Katherine's sister-in-law. The rest of us all tailgate together with our families every fall in Auburn. Me, Melanie, Katherine, Tricia & Summer.

So, what were my guys doing while I was getting to attend these baby showers? They enjoyed a little guys bonding time. Which included limited clothing, no baths, lots of sweat, and a ton of playing outside.

Robbie taught Jake how to cheers.

Just watching a little TV in the garage

End of the School Year

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Jake's school had their end of the year program on Thursday. Jake has been singing these songs for weeks. He showed out during the Thanksgiving school performance, so I just knew he was going to rock out the end of the year musical. I forgot the most important parenting rule - Anytime you think your child will do one thing (especially something positive) they will do the exact opposite.

Do you see the kids in blue shirts? (Kids in the white were the 5K graduates) Do you see the kid in the front row with his arms crossed? (I forgot my zoom lens) That's Jake. And he stood like that the entire time. All of the other kids (except the little blonde beside him) danced, sung and acted away. Jake stood frozen with his mad/scared/bored looked. Go figure. So now I have 15 minutes of video of my child looking bored out of his mind for his end of the year program that he has been singing to us for the last month. Such a proud moment. When I asked him how he did afterwards (as he was happily skipped along) he proclaimed "GREAT!". The joys of parenthood.

Jake & his teacher Mrs. Michelle. LOVE!!!! I cannot say enough what an amazing woman she is & how much Jake loved her. I pray that Jake will always have teachers in his life that love, pray & care for him, like Mrs. Michelle.

We loved and have been so happy with Westwood this past year. Which makes the call I got today so heartbreaking. We signed him up for next year. They called today to let us know that they did not have enough kids for a 2nd class. Each class can only have 10 & he was #11. Only 2 other kids are behind him, so there are not enough 3-year-olds for a 2nd class and he just missed the cut off for the 1st class. When they called to tell me, I handled like any sane parent - I started crying. I have no idea why I started crying. I guess just the emotion of wanting what's best for your child. Last year was so crazy. We moved 3 different times & were in 3 different programs. Jake was so happy at Westwood & I felt like we were finally settled and consistent. I have felt very torn lately about some different things & so my emotions just got the best of me. I feel so bad for Westwood's director. I know my crying made her feel bad (and I feel SO embarrassed!). She called back & left me a voicemail that she would figure out something and get Jake into their program. She said she was going to pray about it & figure something out. Which of course made me cry even more for them being so loving and caring so much. I am waiting until I can regain my composure before calling her back & letting her know that we will figure something out, but it will be okay! Considering I'm tearing up while writing this, I've still got a ways to go! Regardless what happens, I know that it will all work out and I am so grateful for how caring & loving they have been to us.

Jake is spending the summer part-time at a daycare close by. (While he gets a summer vacation, I unfortunately do not!) Today was his first day. He cried when I dropped him off, but said he had fun when I picked him up. This is the first childcare he has gone to that is not at a church, but we have been very pleased with them each time we've met. They have a lot of fun things planned for this summer so I'm excited for all of the adventures they have in store for Jake!

Mother's Day

Jake's school put together a book in which all of the kids answered questions about their mom. The 3 questions were: 1) What does your mom look like? 2) What does you mom like to do? 3) What do you like to do with your mom? Here were Jake's answers: 1) She is beautiful. She has green hair & pink eyes. 2) She likes to ride in the car with Daddy. 3) Go to Wal-Mart.

Jake & his Mimi

Jake & his Nana

My mom, Jake & me

Me & my Jake

Happy Birthday Mom / Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad

On Friday, May 11th, my mom celebrated her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!! She didn't get long to be in the sole spotlight, because the next day, my parents had a party celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. We were down for all of the festivities & fun.

(My mom's flowers for her wedding was daisies, so you'll see lots of daisies in these pictures)

The welcome committee



I was trying to get a close up picture of the kids in their seersucker & this is what I got from Jake. It's his "I'm scared" face.



And this is his forced smile face. Lovely.

Maddox & Marrell

My mom's twin brother & his family came up from Enterprise to help celebrate

Our family :) (My sister's pregnant with grandchild #4 due in July!)
All of this, because 2 people fell in love.

My parent's wedding day - May 1972

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad - May 2012

It was a very special evening celebrating with friends & family. Celebrating a commitment made 40 years ago. A commitment made to God and to each other, that they've honored. They set an example for all 3 of us kids. It wasn't always easy. It wasn't always fun.There were tears, there was worry, there was lots of prayer. But there was love. And worship. And laughter. And faith. And memories. And hugs. And so much happiness. What a legacy for us kids to look up to, to aspire for and to celebrate. And all because 2 people fell in love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Meeting Elizabeth

This past weekend was one of those weekends that just makes you smile. My best friend from college, Stephanie & her 2 kids, Grant & Elizabeth came up to stay with us (our husbands were red-necking it in an RV in the infield of Talladega).

I know that Robbie says I repeat myself over & over on the blog, but I hate reading other people's blogs trying to figure out who is who. So feel free to skip this part. Stephanie & I met as freshman at Troy as Phi Mu pledges. We both lived in the sorority house all through college and were very close. I was the maid of honor in her wedding & she was one of my matrons of honor. I'm sad that we've never lived in the same town after college, but we see each other several times a year. And we always pick up right where we left off. We were both pregnant with Jake & Grant at the same time, which was lots of fun! I was so excited when she called me last year to tell me she was pregnant. She welcomed a baby girl on March 7th - Elizabeth Behrens. I was so excited to get to meet Elizabeth, for Jake & Grant to get to play together & for Steph & I to catch up. What a perfect weekend!

The only thing I regret is I didn't take enough pictures. The first time the boys met (when they were 4/5 months old), I took so many pictures. They were non-mobile. We would just pose them & take pictures. 3 years later, not as easy. We were so busy running around after them, it made it almost impossible to get a picture. And you can forget them both looking at the camera.

These 2 little 3-year-olds are typical little boys. They loved sword fighting.

And playing trains & cars

Saturday morning, I had a brunch at our house & invited our college friends in Birmingham over so they could meet Elizabeth. Since this was their 2nd child, Stephanie did not want a baby shower, but I just hated for Elizabeth to not have some kind of party. So we just had a meet Elizabeth brunch. It was so good to see our friends from college & their kids and to all catch up!

She of course needed an invitation for her baby book



(Excuse our bare mantel, I still haven't decided how to decorate it)

Kids activity table

The guest of honor - Elizabeth

Elizabeth & Lucy meeting

Mary Tyler, Emily, Emily Grace & Jude

Emily Grace & Jude playing

Trying to get a good picture of the boys

Jake's not looking

Now Grant's not looking

Forget it. I give up.

Enjoying a few snacks

2 tired little boys

I wish I would have taken more pictures of the party, but it gets crazy once 7 adults & 8 kids show up.

Our token group shot. We are now a party of 5

Such a fun weekend, spent with one of my favorite people in this world.  Jake & Grant had so much fun playing together & kept the toddler fighting to a minimum. (Funny story - they were getting ready to watch a movie & both wanted Cars 2. Grant was calling it "Cars 2". Jake calls it "Combo Pack" though because we have a 2-disc case because it came with both a Blu-Ray DVD & regular DVD. It was a combo pack. So Jake thinks the name of the movie is Combo Pack. They were arguing because Grant wanted to watch Cars 2 & Jake wanted to watch Combo Pack.) Elizabeth was an absolute dream. She is that perfect type of baby that is fine laying down on her own, but also loves for you to hold her. She'll snuggle up to you and make the most perfect little noises. It was love at first sight!  I got a glimpse of what it would be like to have 2 kids. I have no idea how Stephanie (or any of my friends with more than 1!) do it. Steph is a great mom & a great friend. I feel so blessed to have her & her family in my life.