Filed under: Speedy
So, this is a first for me. A video clip in my post of Speedy getting busted. I used my cell phone to take it so it’s not very clear but you should get the main idea. When he left the playroom to go and play with the Christmas Tree, he failed to notice me sitting on the couch behind him. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity!
And if you can’t see the video clip below, as I can’t, here is the direct link:Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wHKgcXzMGA
Filed under: Speedy
I fear I am warping my child’s sense of time. How many times a day do I answer him by saying, “Just a minute” or “in a minute”? Too many to count. Poor kid doesn’t know if a minute is really a minute or an hour. Unfortunately, sometimes when I answer “just a minute” I forget and that minute turns into a day or more. Oops.
Anyway, now Speedy has learned my trick. I’ll tell him to put something away and he’ll say, “in jus’ a minute”. I’m eating my own words. In more ways than one.
Sometimes my mouth reacts faster than my brain – those of you who know me IRL won’t find that surprising at all. There have been a few times lately where I have issued verbal warning and regretted it later. We were at Chick-fil-a (oooooh! my new favorite drink there is half lemonade and half sweet tea – yummy!) and he kept using his feet to push his high chair away from the table. I said, “Speedy, if you do that one more time you won’t get to play on the playground.” Of course, he did it and then I was stuck enforcing my consequence even though I really wanted him to be able to play. I know it is a very minor thing, but daddy-o and I had to do what we said we’d do. He didn’t cry but was very disappointed. Ugh. You should have seen his sweet little face. After that, he didn’t move his high chair again for the rest of the meal so I got him an ice cream cone. 
Anyway, it happened again last night. Were running late with dinner so last night it was eat and then bedtime routine and sleep. But he kept playing with his food and we’ve been trying desperately to break that habbit. So mouth got going before my brain could engage and told him if he put his whole hand in the casserole again he was going straight to bed. And he did. And he did. And he WAILED in his bed. I caved after 10 minutes of him screaming and sobbing, “I no break rules again”! I felt like I was torturing him. He had to stay in bed, but I did go back in and sing to him for a little while and he calmed right down.
All this has me thinking about God. How many times does His heart break as He watches us suffer the consequences of our own behavior? I feel like it is easier now than ever before for me to blindly follow His direction. Now, if only I could carve out a little more time to spend with Him so that I could get that direction……
Filed under: Day after day
It’s funny how I am already looking forward to a year of “seconds”. Everything we do with Speedy is a first; we missed his first two years so everything to us is new. Only a couple more months and we’ll have had them for a whole year.
Last year, we took Speedy to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I think it was the first thing we did that was really big. And if you haven’t been to the HLSR, you have no idea HOW big.
There is a huge carnival with really good rides, and TONS of stuff for the kids. Way more than I could write about here. In my pre-married life, my favorite part of the whole rodeo was the concert. The whole thing lasts for about 2 1/2 weeks and after each rodeo, there is a concert by a major performer. You would be amazed at how quickly Houston Rodeo concert tickets are sold out. People stand in line for a lottery type system. Anyway, I’m digressing. Some of my girlfriends and I went a few years in a row to see Clay Walker. (I don’t care who you are, he is HOT!) The thing is, is really doesn’t matter where you sit because they have monitors everywhere. I think the best tickets we ever had were cheap and considered “obstructed view” but they were great. We were behind the place where the bull riders come out.
So with Speedy we didn’t go the actual rodeo this year, just the carnival and kids area. But I’m thinking this next time around he’ll be old enough to enjoy it and who knows? Maybe we can even stay for the performance! I can’t wait to go back, anyone know if Clay will be returning in 2007?
Filed under: Day after day
I swear I am not being paid for this post. I’m just astounded at the price difference between my current auto insurance and Geico. By switching, we can save $400 every six months. Okay, so when I factor in the discount we get for our home owners’, the savings is really only about $250, but STILL!
So, anyone have any horror stories about Geico before we switch?
Filed under: Uncategorized
Well, we started our first tradition, at least what I hope will become a tradition, by putting up our Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving. Speedy hung some of the decorations and was SO EXCITED when we plugged the tree in and he saw all the lights.
You’ll see pictures below of the kids playing on Thanksgiving Day and Speedy helping daddy put the decorations outside. I’ve got a lot more to say about our weekend, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. I’m out of time this morning but may try to post again when the kids are napping. Until then…
Speedy had a blast at Granny’s on Thanksgiving. He found this old scooter in the garage and did really well riding and steering it. We have to get him one for Christmas now! He loved wearing the helmet so much that he didn’t want to take it off!
Speedy had a blast at Granny’s on Thanksgiving. He found this old scooter in the garage and did really well riding and steering it. We have to get him one for Christmas now! He loved wearing the helmet so much that he didn’t want to take it off!
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Speedy loves to hit balls with sticks. We’re getting him a little T-Ball stand for preschoolers for Christmas and I know he’ll be SUPER excited!
Princess had a great time, too! She didn’t nap much but was still very happy and playful all afternoon!
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We had so much fun over the long weekend. Speedy especially enjoyed helping Daddy put out the decorations!
Filed under: Infertility
To all of my fellow infertiles:
I remember.
I know that as you wander through this Holiday Season that your heart is longing for a child to love. I know that dull ache deep within you – the kind that you get when you miss a loved one you haven’t been with in a long time; a sort of homesickness, if you will.
It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be sad when you pass a toy store. Don’t be too hard on yourself for not being able to “get in the spirit of things”. Treat yourself to a hot chocolate on a cold day and dream of the children you will one day shop for. Indulge yourself by imagining those children and what they might like for Christmas and don’t chastize yourself for dreaming.
I know you know what Christmas is all about and I know that you will celebrate Christ in your own way. I understand if you need to do that quietly this year. Please don’t feel guilty or selfish. God knows your heart and His is breaking right along with it.
When you see me in the mall with my two little ones, I hope I’ll have the chance to tell you that I’ve been where you are and I remember. As you watch me trying to choose a baby doll and tears well up in your eyes, I hope somehow you’ll know that I’ve been there. That things aren’t always what they seem.
Christmas time has to be the hardest when you want desperately to be parents but can’t be because of infertility or circumstance. Regardless of where you are in any treatment or cycle, I know what you are thinking, deep down, is that maybe this will be THE month – your own special Christmas miracle. You may even be imagining how you will tell the family on Christmas day that you finally got your heart’s desire. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming so go on and allow yourself that simple escape.
And if you come to the point when you realize that this won’t be the year and you think again for the THIRD or the FIFTH or the TENTH year in a row, “surely by next year we’ll have a baby” just know that I remember. Know that I offer up a special prayer for you. Know that God is faithful and you can trust Him even when you can’t understand His ways.
I know I don’t have to post about what I am most thankful for. You all know it already.
It’s funny, though, because I feel like this is our first Thanksgiving. I’ve been around for 31 of them so it should in no way be my “first”, but honestly, I feel like a Thanksgiving virgin. Come on, you know it’s funny.
Speedy and certainly Princess won’t have a clue as to what is happening tomorrow, it will just be another day at Granny’s for lunch with other family there. But I know. I know that this is our first family Thanksgiving. It has been a year of “firsts” for us and I can’t tell you how exciting it is. I feel like a little kid – and this is on Thanksgiving! Can you imagine what I’ll be like at Christmas? (that is, if I can survive the budget constraints daddy-o is putting on me! )
Speaking of Daddy-O, he’s in the kitchen right now baking pecan pies. Is that an amazing man or what? I took his picture but I’m too lazy to post it right now so I’ll do it later.
He was outside this evening picking some things up and I could hear an obnoxious noise which I later realized was him singing Christmas carols. ? I was just as alarmed and confused as you are. He came in the back door singing his own rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and if I hadn’t just had a conversation with him, I would have accused him of being drunk. I said, “keep it down, please, the kids are asleep!” And he said, “I’m just getting so excited for Christmas already!”
We’re both excited. Speedy is excited, too. We got a “Little People” nativity set from Granny J and put it out the other day. It’s really cute, when you push on the angel sitting atop the stable, “Away in a Manger” plays and the star lights up.
I was just interrupted and called to the kitchen to inspect the pies. And I quote, “if you are going to blog about me cookin’, you better go take pictures of my pies and put them on there, too.” So you’ll get pictures afterall.
Anyway, back to Speedy. Sometimes when he sees Santa Claus, he will point and say, “Jesus.” LOL Um, no, not quite son. Though some of us would like for Him to be a big Santa in the sky, that’s really not the way it works. But he’s making the connection between Jesus and Christmas and I guess that’s what is most important.
Filed under: Speedy
Yesterday we went to Grammy’s for lunch after church. Grammy’s is a very special place for Speedy, as he learned very quickly that Grammy will give him almost anything he wants. (as Grammy’s are supposed to do) One thing he especially likes at Grammy’s is getting an “orange drink”. (Sunkist) This has to be one of the BEST things about going to Grammy’s.
Yesterday, Speedy talked non-stop for the thirty minute drive to Grammy’s and seemed to be a little wound up so we wouldn’t let him have an “orange drink” with his lunch; he had milk instead. After nap time, Everyone was outside playing except Daddy and Granddad and Speedy kept saying he wanted Daddy outside. I can’t help but wonder if his little brain was already working out his master plan at this point.
Grammy went back inside and not long after she did, Speedy started saying he wanted to go inside. He went to the back door and called from Grammy and she let him in. After closing the door, Speedy turned around and locked it and then grinned at Grammy and said, “le’s go get an orange drink now.”
Little stinker.
My sweet baby boy has been corrupted. Or this is a great case for original sin. ha ha ha
Filed under: Day after day
I think one of the biggest changes that has occurred in my life since having kids is the lack of quality friend time. With everyone dealing with their own set of issues around rasing babies and toddlers, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time left over for adult friends. Even when we get together and let the kids play, it’s hard to have real conversations with little ears listening nearby.
I miss my friends. I miss long conversations about everything and even the ones about nothing. This time of year, I especially miss my NYC friends. Maybe next year.
Filed under: Day after day
You might be anticipating a funny Speedy story but this wasn’t Speedy. I have an ear infection and went to the doctor this afternoon and wanted him to look at a rash that I’ve had on my leg for a mont or so. When I lifted my pants leg up, he said, “eeewwwww! That’s a fungus!”
Nice, huh? He also said it is very contagious but so far I haven’t seen any sign of it on Speedy, Princess or daddy-o. Funny, it didn’t itch at all BEFORE I knew it was a fungus.
Filed under: Day after day
You might be anticipating a funny Speedy story but this wasn’t Speedy. I have an ear infection and went to the doctor this afternoon and wanted him to look at a rash that I’ve had on my leg for a mont or so. When I lifted my pants leg up, he said, “eeewwwww! That’s a fungus!”
Nice, huh? He also said it is very contagious but so far I haven’t seen any sign of it on Speedy, Princess or daddy-o. Funny, it didn’t itch at all BEFORE I knew it was a fungus.
Filed under: parenting
I wrote this on my weekend away:
So what’s a girl to do with a free afternoon? No runny noses to wipe, no dirty diapers to change. Nothing but freedom and relaxation. I have to admit that when I first got here I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I wandered around for a bit, even looked for a broom so I could sweep off the porch. I didn’t find a broom and decided I should stretch out for a little cat nap so I’d be fully rested for my evening of relaxing! Ha ha ha
It’s the most beautiful day with the sun shining bright and not a cloud in the sky…..cool enough out so that you need a light jacket if you sit in the shade too long. I can hear birds singing in the distance as I prop my feet up on another chair and settle in with my laptop to do a bit of writing.
I catch myself singing along with the cd I have on in the house, enjoying the music as it drifts out onto the porch and reminds me with its lyrics of what an awesome God we serve. The leaves that I couldn’t sweep away are such beautiful shades of red-orange, yellow and vibrant green. When you look around there are many visible signs of the seasons changing from summer to fall. Even the crisp, cool air is evidence of change.
There are so many symptoms of change in nature. Leaves changing between seasons, dark clouds looming before a storm and flowers blooming in springtime. I can’t help but wonder what signs there are of changes that are happening in me?
Some changes in me are obvious enough. An added inch to my waist and you can clearly see I’ve been eating my feelings again. J Dark circles under my eyes and you know I haven’t had enough sleep. But what about the big things? What about the changes that happen deep in my heart and the decisions that change the direction of my life?
Can you see how much I have changed in nine months? Do you know how deeply motherhood has affected not only how I see things but who I am? I used to consider myself to be a little on the selfish side – and still do to some extent. But I no longer have the option of being selfish. Toddlers and babies tend to take that option away from you.
It’s not just that I no longer have the option – I no longer have the desire to focus on myself. I want my children to be happy and to learn what it means to trust in God. Even as I write that I want them to trust in God, I wonder what I do that is helping to teach them that. If my top priority is for them to have a relationship with God , what am I doing today to help promote that?
So many changes that happen in our lives happen whether we want them to or not. How we react to those changes defines who we are today and lays the foundation for who we will be tomorrow. With so much happening to us, I can’t help but think about what happens because of us. Am I being intentional about what I teach Speedy and Princess? Are they learning just by happenstance or am I seeking out opportunities to lay a foundation of faith for them?
What are the three most important things you want to give your children and what have you done this week to promote that?
Filed under: advertising
You’ve heard me talk before about how easy it is to advertise on blogs and get paid. I absolutely LOVE payperpost ! They make getting money for nothing so simple. Most of the posts I’ve written that have gotten me money are actually about payperpost. I love it because I can review the list of advertisers and choose which opportunities to take. I know before I write the post how much money I’ll make and the instructions are so simple, if you follow them you will definitely get your money! For this post alone, I’ll make $10. In total, I’ve earned almost $80 and this post will bring me to $90! Woo Hoo! That’s free money to me. I know there is a lot of hype out there about advertising on blogs, but I only write about things I really get excited about. And I get pretty excited about making easy money. I’ll be using some of my blogging money to buy Christmas presents online. REally, you can’t beat it. Those of you with blogs should really check them out, it is much faster than using google ads or whatever.
Filed under: Uncategorized
On the adoption front, I still have not heard from our placement worker. I’m guessing we won’t finalize until after the first of the year, but I really don’t mind. I’m just so happy that we get to finalize, if it takes a bit longer it is okay with me!
Filed under: Uncategorized
On the adoption front, I still have not heard from our placement worker. I’m guessing we won’t finalize until after the first of the year, but I really don’t mind. I’m just so happy that we get to finalize, if it takes a bit longer it is okay with me!
Filed under: advertising
Presents have always been a big deal to me. If you are familiar with the “5 Love Languages”, mine is definitely gifts. This Christmas, however, I can’t think of anything I really want for Christmas. I can think of tons of things I want to get for the kids but nothing for myself. I already have the best Christmas present – getting to watch them open their gifts Christmas morning!
I can find stocking stuffers that I would like but it seems like every time I start surfing the web for ideas, I end up looking at Leather Journals I can use for baby photo albums. It always goes back to the kids. I guess you could say I’ve had a change of perspective.
In case you haven’t noticed, I found a wonderful new website that offers a variety of fine leather goods! Who can’t use a new wallet or photo album for Christmas? This is a great place to find everything from stocking stuffers to quality gifts for the people on your list!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Can you hear the relaxation in my voice? I got to the lake about noon on Saturday and didn’t leave until 5:30pm today. It was WONDERFUL. I watched bits and pieces of several movies, worked on Speedy’s photo album and sat on the porch with my laptop. It was perfect.
I was gone just the right amount of time. If I had spent even one more night, I think my heart would have been aching just a little. It was really nice to get away and just recharge a bit. I wrote an interesting post on the porch in my pajamas but I haven’t edited it yet so it will have to wait. Just wanted to pop in and let you know I did get away, because I’m sure you all lost sleep worrying about it over the weekend. Right? Right?
Filed under: Speedy
Speedy is much better today. He took a 3 hour nap and ate a little and drank lots of Sprite. He seems to be on the mend. As long as no one is sick tonight, I’ll probably head to the lake in the morning and come home Sunday evening.
We were just praying with Speedy and this is what was said:
Daddy-O: God, please bless Emma and Nathan and Mommy and Daddy
Me: God, please help Nathan sleep really good tonight and help him feel all better tomorrow, and please keep Emma, mommy and daddy from getting sick.
Me: Thank you God for……..
Speedy: our family
Speedy: Thank you God for our dawgs
Speedy: Thank you God for onions
Have I told you lately how much I adore that child?
Filed under: Speedy
It’s almost 2am and as I sit here with pajamas covered in splattered vomit, all I can think of is whether or not I’ll be able to go on my little trip. Nice, huh? Speedy is puking and all I can think about is leaving.
I’m thinking he will probably be just fine tomorrow, but I won’t leave daddy-o with sick kids. That would be cruel. Plus, I couldn’t stand to be away knowing one or both of them was sick.
On another note, throw up is disgusting. How I managed to keep from tossing my cookies when Speedy spewed the medicine I had just given him and part of it landed on my MOUTH, I’ll never know.
I guess since daddy-o is taking the first shift sleeping on the towel covered floor with Speedy, I should go change my pajamas. Vomit doesn’t smell very good.
Filed under: Day after day
I leave tomorrow on my own personal retreat. No kids. No husband. No friends. Just me for two nights and two days. I can’t wait. I can stay up as late as I want and sleep in as late as I can. I’m going to eat breakfast on the porch in my pajamas and probably stay in my pajamas all weekend.
I’m going to a my mother-in-law’s place at the lake and I’ll have solitude. I can almost taste it. I know I will miss my family but I also know I will enjoy my extended “Me Time” tremedously. Guilt? I don’t think so.
I’m hoping to finish Speedy’s lifebook and to also get Princess’ done. I got baby pictures of Speedy from Granny J this week and so I’ll be able to build a complete book for him. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Hey, did I mention that I am going away for the weekend, BY MYSELF? I thought about trying to get of few girls to go one weekend in December, and maybe I’ll still do that. But really, the idea of being alone is so appealing to me, I just couldn’t pass it up.
In college, I used to take at least one day a month off from school and everything and drive to a nearby town where I’d eat lunch and see a movie by myself. Actually, I took a lot more than one day off from classes per month (sorry, mom) but I’d go out by myself about once every month. I just liked getting away from everyone and everything.
I guess I just like to spend time with me. In fact, sometimes I’m the only person I can stand to be around! So yay for me. I’m going away for a weekend. It will be the first time I’ve spent a night away from Speedy and Princess. I’m sure I’ll be lonesome but I know they’ll be in good hands with Daddy-o.
I’ll be without internet access for the weekend, too, and will only be answering my phone if Daddy-o calls.
I think everyone could use a little me time every now and again, don’t you?
