Friday, September 29, 2006

We have made it almost a week for everyone being healthy after colds but BAM, Landon is down with a fever. I was so hopeful that he wasn't sick that I ventured out to play with our friends this morning and fear that I may have contaminated them. He was good this morning and he only felt a little warm so after the thermometer read 99.2 and he said he felt good and wanted to go we headed on out. By 1:00 after being home or an hour and half his cheeks were red and his fever was up. Sorry Christy and Jackie, I hope your beautiful children don't get sick.

Ella is full of energy and busy all of the time. She doesn't seem to mind climbing on anything including her brother. We have had a good week and even spent some time with just Ella and myself yesterday morning while Landon had preschool. I believe her favorite it taking a ride in the "yellow truck" with her brother. Landon gets tired of riding pretty quickly so you can drive by and see me sitting on the rear balancing myself just right to give her a ride in a circle around the driveway. Her personality is really coming out and she is more vocal every day. Mike and I both agree that she can say a lot more and speak clearer but would rather us not understand and keep us guessing and laughing. Also, her hair is growing quickly but has a flyaway texture. I try to put it back and with all of her activity it is down again. Now I know how mom felt when Amy would come across the street all dolled up and I wouldn't even sit still long enough to comb my hair.

A big weekend ahead but may turn out to be not so big. We were going to venture out to the Dixie Classic fair tonight but we won't go now and will lay low and try to keep Landon calm. Tomorrow Mike is headed to the VT game with his buddy who went to GA Tech - at least one of them will come home happy. (GO HOKIES!!) I was going to do a mission project tomorrow but will stay in or only venture into the backyard if Landon is feeling better. Sunday I will be heading to a baby shower for a college friend - love the sweet little baby gifts. I think I could look at baby clothes all day and never get bored.

I hope everyone has a special weekend and that no cooties come your way.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Since Friday we have been a bit busy. Still recovering from colds we marched through the weekend and even got some things done around the house. Mike stained his condo and the matching playhouse on Saturday and I must say that it looks good. He has enough stain left to do a coat on the playset but ran out of daylight and I probably ran out of patience of having him busy all day. Sunday we headed to the Joyce reunion and of course filled our bellies more than we should have. Landon and Ella enjoyed playing with their 1st, 2nd and 3rd cousins (I never really understood how the whole cousin thing works but that's ok). The picture here is of him giving his cousin Elizabeth a big hug. She pointed out his Thomas shoes so that won him over pretty quickly and he was by her side the rest of the time.

Nannie Ro and Pops were here on and off through the weekend. I believe the highlight for Landon was getting to play Candy Land with Nannie, Pops, Daddy and Gammy over the weekend. They each took their turns battling the champion for a chance at Candy Castle and greeting King Kandy. Even though we have now acquired about 4 other games he still is all over Candy Land. Now that I think about it, the highlight may have been when Pops took Landon to the "doughnut factory" at 8:00 at night in his pajamas for a sprinkle doughnut. Landon did take a bite of a "hot now" original glazed and wasn't too big on it. That was ok though as I devoured it in less than 2 seconds.

Monday Nannie and I took Ella for her allergy testing and I certainly appreciate the thoughts and prayers as it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. She did test positive for an allergy to peanuts but nothing else (they tested her for wheat, soy, milk, eggs, and dust also). We are now labeling all of her bags with notices about her allergy and attaching an epipen jr. to make sure she is taken care of if she were to accidentally get a good old peanut in her mouth. I still don't understand how this came about since no one in our family is allergic to peanuts. I am just going to stay optomistic that she will be in the 20% of people who outgrow their allergy.

A big moment for Landon this morning, he went into his preschool class without crying or even looking back. I couldn't even get his attention to say goodbye. It was a good feeling of course but also that feeling of "he's growing up". However, he brings me back in when I pick him up and as soon as he sees me he shouts "Mommy, I knew you would come back" with the biggest smile and instantly grabbing my hand. Mama's boy!

Friday, September 22, 2006

I haven't posted in a while have I? I wish I could report that we had something exciting going on but not really. We have been home all week other than the regular trips to preschool, Bible study, errands and so forth. Last Sunday we did do something exciting, we attended our nephew's baptismal in Mount Airy. Aiden is a precious little boy and we are so proud. Landon thought we may be going to the hospital to visit Aiden and was a lot happier when he found out it was not the hospital. It was a very special service and I even got to hold him without Ella screaming. On Monday both children were very excited that Nannie Ro was here for the day and played with her all day while I went to do some volunteer work at Senior Services. I don't have any pictures from the week because both the kids and the parents have had snotty noses with colds. This has led to very few hours of good sleep so sure hoping we get some this weekend. Ella's turned into a fever yesterday and today but no other symptoms. She was relieved to find Nannie and Pops here this afternoon to hold and snuggle her during her time of not feeling well. Hope everyone else out there is feeling well and having fun.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

A couple of good days with some good time in the backyard, a trip to the Children's Museum and visits from Gammy, Nannie, Caroline, Chuck, Kelli and Sam. Landon has finally taken some interest in the powered Hummer that we bought him a year ago. Ella loves it and doesn't mind the whiplash she seems to get as he takes off, stops and then takes off just to watch her head jerk around. I think Ella would drive it away if she could reach the pedals. The only issue we have is that it is still pretty hard to turn the steering wheel so we end up either running in one circle or me walking beside them the whole time steering it for them. I am enjoying the fun they have while out for a ride and them enjoying each other, as I am sure that soon enough they will be asking for a real car and fighting over who gets to drive. (scary image)

Don't they grow up fast? Not only their little personalities, their abilities, they are getting taller, and then even their hair and nails seem to grow 5 times faster than mine. Ella got Landon with a big scratch under his eye and on his nose. I had to take the clippers out on both of them. Ella's hair is also getting really long and I am not sure what to do with it. I have had the same hairstyle since college or at least pretty close to it. I am certainly not good at any sense of styling for my hair and prefer to just wash and go. To keep it out of Ella's eyes, I tried this new look the other day. I don't think I could get away with it but it was cute on her for the day.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

I sit and reminisce of warm sunny days out on the beach. It seems as though it has been pretty cool and cloudy the last week or so and while I enjoy the cool weather the rain today has made me a little blah. Even the kids seem to want to just sleep and take it easy on the rainy day. We had a friend over this morning but by 12:00 Landon was asking to take a nap. It actually worked out perfectly since I wasn't obviously thinking when I scheduled Landon's 3 year checkup right smack in the middle of both Landon and Ella's afternoon nap and my quiet time at home (quiet due to the kids sleeping but busy for me to get things done). So they both slept early and didn't want to wake when we needed to go to the doctors. We did make it on time, a little wet but on time. The doctor's first comments as Landon told him about turning 3, about Uncle Jay's party, about his cousins, and about Thomas was that he guessed the communication skills were not to worry about. Landon continued to talk his ear off the entire visit and the nurses too. They kindly listened to him but did say "I bet he can wear you out sometimes but they are a ball of fun".

It's been 4 days since I have taken any pictures, I think that is a record for me. So my pictures this post will wrap up our trip to the beach, I have so many but these were my favorites. I am hoping they will make me sunny inside too. Landon did ask if it would stop raining by tomorrow and I told him I didn't know but we needed the rain so let's be thankful. Who can guess what he asked - - the common 2/3 year old question - - WHY? In response I told him that God watered all of our living things and that He also washed off things for us like our car, house, playgrounds and our patio. Landon said "so now our house will be all nice and clean?" - in one way I had to say yes and then thought - can it rain inside too?

Sunday, September 10, 2006

AAAACCCHHHOOO! No - I don't have a cold. This is actually Ella's new word and her favorite book. She pronounces it ah - ku. Mike and I have gotten a kick out of it all weekend. It started on Friday as we were hanging out downstairs and I was reading "Elmo Says Achoo" and she started carrying the book around loudly saying ah-ku ah- ku while throwing her head back. It took me about 5 times before I caught on but ever since she has been facinated to carry the book around and try to open the pages. So her vocabulary now includes dada, juice (ssssss), ball (baaahhhh), bear (baaaaahhhhr), cookie (basically sounds like the k sound extended out like a hiss but hilarious), and now achoo (ah - ku). Nope - she doesn't say mama. I have tried and tried and she will say mamama sometimes but I will quickly ask her to say mama and she always ends up looking at me and saying ba ba ba or da da da. I think she is doing it on purpose but that's ok, as long as she comes up to me with hugs and kisses I am good. She is a talker in her own language, and always has something to say from the moment she wakes up until she is lying in her bed trying to go to sleep. Landon is also a talker and this morning said "ferocious mosquitos" but then quickly told me that saying that was a little tricky.

It was a quiet weekend at our house with a LOT of football. Go Hokies!!! Glad to see them win and hope the season continues on the path that has been started. I do know that I have lost my husband to his blue leather couch and big screen tv for every weekend from now until the Bowl games. If it's not football it is a race and soon basketball. I don't mind too much anymore and have grown to love all of the sports (except hockey). My favorite part of the weekend had to be taking a nap on that couch with my feet tucked up under Mike's leg and waking only to see my footwarmer quietly snoozing too. Reminds me of my mom napping during Redskins games at Frank's house on the lake (except she slept with her eyes open - freaky!). So I hope you all had great weekends and your batteries are recharged.

Friday, September 8, 2006

Happy Birthday Jay!!

A nice Friday spent at home. Landon, Ella and I spent the entire day at home playing Candy Land, dancing, doing laundry, playing trains, playing in the sandbox and hanging out. I offered to take them to the Children's Museum but Landon declined. I think he was ready to just stay at home and not have to be anywhere today. It was a nice change and we had lots of fun (well except for Ella walking through a doggie mine barefoot in the backyard).

This evening we went to Jay's house to celebrate his birthday. Landon was excited to have some cake and icing and to play with his cousin Jennifer. I also forgot to mention that Landon can now count to 100 and recognize all of the numbers by sight. While at dinner he said that Jay was going to turn 3 and that his daddy was "hundred and something". I never ask him how old he thinks I am.

Pictures are still from the beach. One evening we went out to get some icecream near the pier and across the street is a little corner with some rides (it isn't even big enough to call a carnival or a park). They had the big jumping harnesses with the trampoline style things under them. I have always wanted to do one of these and they said I could but I declined after hearing Lindsay and Melissa (who are both half my age) say it was a little painful. Landon had a big time and enjoyed it but afterwards said he was tired of jumping. Made for lots of fun pictures.

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Landon had his second day of preschool but wasn't quite ready to head into class by himself. I think pretty soon he will run into class without turning to say goodbye but for now the short sad episode does a lot for me. What does even more is his smile and excitement when I come to pick him up. Today his cousins Kelli and Sam were there to pick him up with me and boy was he ever excited. I think his words where "HEY MOMMY UH UH KELLI UH UH UH UH SAMMY UH KELLI UH SAMMY UH UH UH WATCH THIS!!!!"

Ella spent the afternoon dancing to her Elmo radio, she dances on command now even when there isn't any music. She gets her moves from me I'm afraid, just swinging her arms then later moving her feet, then later twisting her hips. Hopefully she will have a little more rythym than I do but for now it's just fun to watch her groove.

Pictures today are again from the beach. The pictures of the kids coloring with chalk happened to be right after they had both had baths and before dinner. We ended up having to give them another bath and they were so dirty that the water turned a murky orange color. The other funny shot was of Pappy holding Ella during putt putt. It was way after her bedtime and she wasn't too happy - could you tell?

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

As Landon told Ella several times this morning - "it's just a rough day". He was trying to comfort her as we drove home from her 15 month checkup at pediatrician. For all of the grandparents, Ella checked in at 31 inches (50th %) and not quite 22 lbs (30th %). That wasn't so bad even though Ella does not sit still for a minute and didn't really want the dr. checking her out but when we told him about a reaction she had last week after nibbling on some peanuts he ordered a blood allergy screening. Picture - Landon at my legs saying "I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home!!!" and then 2 nurses walk in to get Ella's blood sample (one to hold her down and one to take the blood) out of her tiny little elbow with a tube to fill about the size of a quart of milk, Ella screaming with tears running down her arm while they tap her elbow to see if they can find a good vein, and me having to hold Ella's other arm down while the other nurse lays on her legs. I was just about to lose it when they finished only to leave so that the other nurse could come in and give Ella her 2 vaccinations. I felt so bad for Ella as I know she was freaked out and for Landon as he was probably scared of all of the craziness. Ella quickly recovered and Landon was happy with the 2 Thomas stickers he got for being a good boy. The worst thing is now I have to take Landon back next week for his 3 year checkup and I am pretty sure he won't want to go after today.

Once we make it home I was looking forward to a calm afternoon, soon to realize that there would be calm but only about 15 minutes. Landon decided to throw a pretty bad tantrum to earn a timeout for several minutes and with the hitting he also had his last paci taken away for the afternoon nap. We have been talking to Landon about giving them up but haven't put the hammer down so to speak. Anyway, Mike was great to come home for lunch and give me a little breather while he talked to Landon about the paci being taken away. Things were good until Landon layed down for his nap and continued to cry for 1.5 hours over his paci being gone. I thought for sure he would fall asleep but never did. I think I am going to have a harder time with paci leaving than Landon is.

Later on we headed to church for our Wednesday evening dinner and classes. This fall Mike and I aren't leading Financial Peace University but will restart that in January so it was nice to have some time to attend a session together. By the time we got home and ready for bed Landon fell asleep in a jiffy - with paci.

Pictures today are from our trip to the beach last week. Ella was quite happy to play in the sand or around the pool. Landon wasn't much on the waves after one knocked him over but loved going down to the channel where we had some great pictures of him and of a pelican that was hanging out. I think his favorite though was hanging out with Lindsay and Melissa in the water or watching videos. The picture is a little fuzzy but gives you a good idea of how happy he was.

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE BOY!!

Landon that is!! Today is Landon's birthday and it has been a very busy one. We woke up early, well early for the 3 of us who usually sleep until 7:30 or 8:00 AM all summer, and enjoyed pancakes and bacon. Landon enjoyed blowing candles out again and enjoyed having all of us (including Gammy) sit down and eat breakfast together. If I was better at mornings I would try to do that everyday but I haven't been the best morning person in a couple of years it seems. Well probably never but I used to get up and get to work at 6:00 AM just to have a head start on things. Anyway - I lost track of my thoughts. Oh yes, Landon's birthday. He was anxious to go and play on his new train table downstairs so after breakfast he went straight downstairs to play while Gammy tried to help me get my act together to get Landon off to his first day of preschool. He was amazingly cooperative and I figured out why. On the way to preschool I told him his teacher's names - his new teachers that is. He was not aware that he would not be going to the same classroom, same teachers, and same friends as last year. I know, you think I could have given him some advance notice but that usually doesn't work for him as he still is struggling with the concept of time. Luckily Mike was there to help me carry him in along with the goodies I had packed for the class to celebrate Landon's birthday. The departure wasn't exactly smooth but I tried to move quickly and head back to pick up Ella before going to Bible study. I can now announce happily that he had a great first day back. When I picked him up he said he had "very very lots and lots of good fun at preschool". So maybe this year it won't be a couple of weeks of separation issues at preschool but more fun and learning.

Tonight we took Landon out for dinner - his favorite - 99 cent kids meal at Chick-fil-A on family night. He had a big time and we ended up staying for 2 hours as many of our friends were there supporting another friend's business. My guess is that when he turns 13 he won't want a 99 cent kids meal. Each day has been filled with more blessings imaginable, so although it is Landon's birthday it feels like mine as well.

Landon also had a birthday party at home yesterday evening full of family and friends. He was so excited over everything that I wish I could have video taped every minute. The funniest was when Nannie and Pops brought in a trash can and told Landon that it was for him, Landon's response "WOOOOOOOWWWWWW, I LOOOOVE IT!". If I had half of his excitement I could probably clean my house in a jiffy. He did love every gift he received and he got the one thing he had asked for. Whenever anyone asked what he wanted for his birthday his answer was "a real cake" and he got that and even got it with his favorite characters - Thomas the Train and Veggie Tales. Kudos to Aunt Caroline and her cake making skizzles.

Monday, September 4, 2006

Where do we begin, it has certainly been a while since I have posted but we have been busy. Two weeks ago we were helping Nannie Ro with an antique sale in Stuart, wrapping up swimming lessons, and packing for the beach. We also ended the week with a celebration for Sam's birthday - Happy Belated Birthday Sam!! As you can see in the pictures, Sam's birthday wish was for some silly string and he got it. The chase is of him and his sister - the family bonding time!

Last week we went to the beach all week with Pappy Lee, Mary, Lindsay, and Melissa. Damion, Kara and Aiden also joined us for a few days. It was a great trip and we all had a lot of fun. Landon loved the pool, the calmer water in the channel, the food, and most of all Lindsay and Melissa. Ella loved the sand, the food, and most of all the attention from everyone. We got to eat at some tasty restaurants and had some good cookouts too! Mike even played golf 3 times! I ventured out one day to golf and we ended up waiting for 2 hours in the rain and then getting to play only 9 holes but it was great. It was the 2nd time I had played golf since I was 9 months pregnant with Landon so I was pleased with making 2 pars even thought the rest of my game was UGLY! Ernesto did stop by to visit on Thursday and brought some rain and wind. It may have sent most everyone in the house a little overboard. I think children need a label applied that says "if not aired out each day volume button is not adjustable below severly loud". Pappy Lee and Mary are probably enjoying the peace and quiet of their homes now and may feel vacation was just a blur or just a loud banging in their ears. I will post lots of pictures over the week as there are too many to post today but thanks to Pappy Lee, Mary, Lindsay and Melissa for a great beach week - we look forward to seeing you again soon.

I do have to mention that the long trip back was hard for the kids and I. We were exhausted to say the least and my non-sleeping kids were lively for all but about 20 minutes of the 6.5 hour trip back. On the way down they only slep for about 20 minutes also but the trip was only 4 hours vs 6.5 so I am just sending out a survey to all of you on how you get your kids to sleep in the car??? Please let me know as I am not too concerned but when it's that long of a trip I sure could use a little more shut eye from them. (but isn't Ella just cute with her pouty lips as she snoozes for a few minutes) We stopped once for lunch and once to leave Mike in Raleigh for the NC State vs Appalachain State football game but other than that it was lots of music, movies, and reading. Made for a long day but we were glad to be back home and get Landon ready to celebrate his birthday and start preschool this week. So much to talk about I could be up all night but I am so tired I think I will turn in.