MDO, Day 1

Over the summer we decided that I would take the year off from work to stay at home with Lincoln and Emery.  I have been working part-time since I had Lincoln but "part-time" at my job was essentially a full time work load that had to be completed in a part time schedule.  It was tough.  So, my school district offers a year leave for several reason with one being maternity leave. I decided to take advantage of this.  I am not paid or do not receive any benefits from the job, but I am guaranteed my job back in a year.  I debated over the decision for a while but ultimately felt it was where God was leading us.  It has been a huge leap of faith but one that God has already blessed us tremendously since the moment we made the decision.  I am excited about spending my days at home!!  

However, we felt it important for Lincoln to still find some time outside the home to play with other children his age.  Lincoln has only ever gone to a babysitter and never experienced a more "formal" setting so we thought Mother's Day Out would be a good option for him.  Last week we went to Open House to meet his teacher, Miss Kay.  All weekend we talked about "school" and listed all the things he would get to do as well as talking about his teacher.  This morning he was very "xcited" to go to school.  

Here are the standard first day pictures!  (No worries, the spiderman mask did not go with him to MDO!  He just insisted it be in the pictures!)

On the way there he kept saying "I go to school, play with toys, play with blocks, go to the 'paygound', eat lunch, take a nap."  He kept saying this over and over to himself in the backseat.  I got so tickled because it was as if he was giving himself a pep talk for the day.  

Once we got there he ran in the building with his superman backpack in tow.  He was a little apprehensive when we walked in the class, but soon he spotted a puzzle of musical instruments he played with at Open House.  He grabbed it and sat on the floor and started "playing" the musical instrument puzzle pieces.  I leaned down and kissed and hugged him goodbye.  He just turned around and waved "bye, bye mommy!"  and acted like it was no big deal. 

So little Miss and I went home to enjoy some girl time!!

When I got there to pick him up that afternoon he was so excited to see me!  He said "Mommy, I seep (sleep)!  I seep right there" pointing to the ground where he had laid his mat.  The teacher reported that not all the kids took a nap but Lincoln did.  I also noticed that he did not have on the shorts I sent him in. :(  The teacher said he had one accident but otherwise he did good.  When we got in the car he put on his shades and told me all about his day!  Here he is in action telling me.  Gotta love him!


Here is to a great year at MDO!

Everything Emery {4 months}

Happy 4 months, Emmy!!  

You are slowing but surely developing your own little self.  You started grabbing at and holding toys this month and of course you want everything in your mouth.  Your favorite thing to hold is a blanket and you often like to hold one while you fall asleep.  You are still the sweetest little baby who only cries when you have a very good reason!  This month Lincoln has started hugging you and saying "I yuv you, Emmy!" 

Here is what is going on with you:

• You had a great check-up yesterday!  You weighed 14 lbs. 8 oz (70th percentile) and you are 26 inches long (95th percentile).  You got two shots and it took till the second shot for you to realize what was going on.  You got extremely red faced but calmed down very quickly.  Daddy calls you "tomato head" b/c the few times you get upset your whole head turns bright red! 
• You eat every three hours -- 6 ounces each bottle, 5 bottles a day.  Somedays you eat really well and other days you only eat about 5 of the 6 ounces.  You are still drinking the Alimentum formula and taking your prevacid medicine.  The combination appears to still be working so we have not tampered with it yet but we may start experimenting with different (cheaper) formulas soon.

• You are still napping similar to what you were last month.  You have a good morning nap in your crib from about 9:15-10:15.  And another nap in your crib from 2:00-4:00.  Between your two good naps you cat nap in the swing and cat nap in the swing in the evening.  You have grown to LOVE the swing and we are happy about that!
• At night you still go to bed around 8:00 and sleep till about 7:30 each morning.  You usually wake up one time each night and all you require is your pacifier and then you go right back to sleep.   For a few nights this past month I had to feed you a few ounces in the middle of the night b/c you were going through a growth spurt.  And also a couple of times this past month you would not want to go to bed so we started you off in the swing and then moved you to your bed and then you slept fine.  You are also starting to develop a love for sleeping with your lovie!
• You are wearing size 2 diapers and size 3-6 month clothing

• You laughed out loud this month for the first time.  It was while you were laying on the changing table and mommy was tickling you.  Daddy heard it too and it was actually on his birthday!
• You rolled over from your belly to your back this month but have only done it that one time since.  You are SO close to rolling over from your back to your belly.  You try SO hard whenever we lay you on the ground but you can only get about 70% of the way over.  

• You are becoming more aware of familiar faces and strangers.  If someone holds you that you are not familiar with then after a few minutes you will let out the red-faced scream.  You also do this if you think you have been left alone for too long.
• Your hair is getting a little bit longer.  It still has a brown tint to it but in some lights the peach fuzz on your head appears very blonde.  It also looks like it has a wave to it when it's humid outside. 

• You still have bright blue eyes.  Sometimes they even look more of a purple tint.
• This month you have started to notice Lincoln even more.  You love to watch him and will turn your head all the way around to find him.  You also try to watch his TV shows with him but we can keep your entertained pretty easily with toys instead.  

• Whenever I change your diaper you use both of your hands to grab my arm and hold it against your tummy.  It is the sweetest little gesture.  
• You love to be talked to and smile at just about anyone.  

• You are just a laid back little gal and we are just in love with you!

Here are you and Lincoln at four months of age!  I think you two are starting to look a little bit more similar this month!

We love you EC!

Splash Pad

The days leading up to my birthday we (the kids and I) spent a few days at my parents house.  While we were there we visited the new splash pad by their house.  We have taken Lincoln to the splash pad by our house several times this summer but he is never very interested.  He always wants Cory or I to go out there with him.  However, this time was different.  I initially started playing with him and then he took off and played out there by himself for quite a while.  I got some super cute pictures of him that I wanted to make sure and share. 

And here is what little Miss thought of the splash pad...

my 30th

I have officially entered my 30's.  The night before my birthday Cory and I were talking (a.k.a I was talking and Cory was hopefully listening) that my 20's sure were good to me: graduated college, got married, graduated with my Master's-Specialist degree, gained my first and only nephew, got my first real job as a School Psychology Specialist, we bought our first house, enjoyed fun trips to NYC, Vegas, Florida and Chicago, gained a grand total of FIVE nieces, and have been blessed with two healthy and beautiful children that I currently have the blessing of staying home with them for the next year!  There is simply nothing to complain about in that LONG list of blessings!!

When Cory asked me several months ago what I wanted for my birthday I was quick to request a trip!  Preferably just the two of us and to somewhere sunny and with sand!  He was definitely listening because we have plans to go on a wonderful trip in a few weeks to celebrate and relax just the two of us.  I can hardly wait.

In the meantime we did a little bit of celebrating here and there to mark the entrance into a new decade.  On the Saturday before my birthday Cory and my parents surprised me with a day getaway trip the lake with my in-laws, BIL, SIL and two nieces.  It was a PERFECT day which has been rare this summer so we were grateful to have nice weather for our picnic and afternoon on the boat!

That evening we headed back to my parent's house and went out to dinner at Copelands!  Such a fun day and evening!

  
Then on the actual night of my birthday I requested dinner at McAlister's (Savannah Chopped Salad is my new favorite), ice cream and a shopping trip to Hobby Lobby!  A perfect evening spent with the perfect crew!

Only a few more weeks till my b-day trip....I think it will be a great start my 30's. 

Lincoln Lately {2.5 years}

Say it ain't so!  Lincoln is 2.5 years old!!  I feel like the growing up that happened between 2 and 2.5 years is quite substantial.  I look at pictures of him when he turned 2 and he seems like just a baby but now he seems like a little boy.  These last six months have also brought with them a few terrible 2 moments as well, but also a lot of fun moments too.  

Let's see what you are up to, sweet boy!

Basic Info
You weigh a little over 32 lbs and you are about 37 inches tall.  You were mostly 3T clothes but you could probably get away with wearing some 2T pants this fall.   

When you stopped wearing diapers a few weeks ago you were wearing a size 6.  You are wearing underwear during the day but pull-ups size 3T/4T during naps and nighttime.  We started potty training you at 29 months.  We went cold turkey to underwear on a Saturday morning and we have not looked back.  Right now, you are definitely still learning but doing pretty good.  You have about one accident every other day when you are home with mommy.  You did spend a day at La La's last week and you did not have any accidents.  You are not independent in going and still need some help but overall you are doing pretty good.  You are very proud of yourself and love to tell everyone you see that you pee pee in the potty and pull down your pants to show them your big boy underwear. 

Eating and Sleeping
You are still a pretty good eater.  You definitely have phases where you do not want to eat as much and then times where you eat all day.  Your favorites are grilled chicken, grapes, cheetos, grilled cheese, dried cranberries, cherry tomatoes, and corn.  One new item that you have begun to like is salad but you call it "weaves" (leaves).  It's pretty cute.  You still like to drink a lot but we have had to cut that back a bit now that you are potty trained.  You still sleep about 11-12 hours at night. Your bedtime is around 8:30 and now that mommy stays home with you then you sleep till about 8:00-8:30 most mornings.  You still nap from about 1:00 to 3:00 every day. 

Language
You language is still evolving and growing everyday.  Your daddy and I understand most everything you say but I would guess that a stranger would not be able to understand some things that you say.  Your speech is very factual yet random.  For example, while talking about an episode of Barney or something on TV you will start randomly telling me about the time you went bowling.  You still love to point out what items belong to each person in our house. You are constantly asking "why" we are doing something as well as asking what will be doing next. You love to randomly talk about you grandparents by listing them all off and the talking about your aunts, uncles and cousins and you can also list all of them.  

Likes and Dislikes
Your favorite thing is STILL a ball.  Any shape or size will do but your favorite is a baseball.  You love to hit the baseball off the tee and you are quite good at it.  We took you to a birthday party recently at a bounce place.  Towards the end of the party you ended up finding a ball and stood out in the open area throwing the ball to Dean, our small group leader.  Several parents took note of how well you were throwing it and came up to me to tell me what a natural you were.  I knew you were good at throwing the ball but up until that point I don't think I realized what a strength this is for you.  

You have recently begun to like trains especially Thomas and Percy.  You even like to watch the cartoons.    The other day I asked you a few "favorite" questions and here were you responses: best friend? "Emmy" favorite color? "orange and yellow" and favorite animal "puppies."  

 You still love Barney but have also found a love for Calliou, Thomas and Friends, Scooby Doo/Batman DVD and a Disney movie of dogs that you call "Puppies."  You love to play with the throw pillows on the couch.  You also love to help me with any project, especially if it requires cleaning.  You LOVE to clean and I love that about you! :)

You have a big love for music.  You love to sing songs and can sing quite a few -- ABC's, Zaccheas, Ring Around the Rosie, Itsy Bitsy Spider, tons of Barney songs, Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine, etc. 

You have also developed a love for all things superhero.  You have a batman and superman figurine that you often want to take with you wherever you go.  You are also a big fan of Emery.  You have started to ask me "Mommy, Emmy play with me?"  I think you are running out of patience and eagerly awaiting for the moment she does more than just lay there!  Ha.  Every so often you ask me if you can feed her.  You are a sweet big brother.  

And you, of course, still have a huge love for your lovie. 

Educational

You know about 12 letters, can count to ten, can sing your ABC's (missing quite a few letters in there), can identify two shapes (circle and heart) and know three colors (yellow, green and pink).  You can also identify just about any animal.  You LOVE animals.  We have also started doing some catechisms with you and you are catching on quickly.  You favorite one for me to ask you is "Is there more than one God?'  and you adamantly answer "NO THERE IS JUST ONE GOD!"  

Well, I think that about hits the high notes.  I am sure I am leaving out a few things but for the most part you are an energetic, curious little guy that on occasion will say "I want to cuddle with you, mommy" and it just melts me to pieces.  

Wordless Wednesday

5

Five years ago today, we loaded up our Uhaul and moved to NWA!  It was an exciting and scary day to be moving into our first house together.  Cory did not have a job yet and I only had an internship which although it paid well it was not as much as we would need to meet all of our needs.  Within a few weeks of our move, God provided Cory with a job that he still works at 5 years later.   After my year long internship I was hired on by the school district for a full time position and have had that position for the last 4 years.  We have experienced many fun memories and challenging trials in these last five years but we are confident through God's provisions we definitely made the right decision to move.  

Our First Place, August 2007

Vegas, March 2008

Spring Razorback game, April 2008

Destin 2009

Babymoon in Chicago, September 2009

Lincoln's birth, February 11, 2010

Lincoln's 1st Birthday, February 2011

Destin, June 2011

Christmas, 2011

Emery's birth, April 24, 2012

Our family of 4, July 2012

We are looking forward to the next five....