Wordless Wednesday

Tough Guy

I have a tough guy...that's about 33" tall and 24lbs...

This tough guy caused me to make my first {panicked} emergency telephone call to the pediatrician today!  Austin fell off of our couch flat onto his back/neck/head and immediately started screaming.  So, instinctively I ran and picked him up, thinking nothing of the possibilities of neck/back injuries, and he began vomiting, and I got scared.  So, I took him to the kitchen and laid him down on the floor, where he laid without any attempts to move...and I started to panic (while calling the emergency line).  THANKFULLY by the time they got someone on the phone to talk to me, Austin had sat himself up, and immediately started walking and running around to play with Katie.  So, we knew his neck/back was obviously not injured like I had begin to worry about.  UNFORTUNATELY we have to rule out a mild concussion by taking away naps and anything but clear liquids for the next 2 hours.  You would know this would happen within minutes of me putting him in bed for his long afternoon nap....

I'm glad I have my little tough guy...and I'm glad he's tough...but, Austin, buddy, let's not test just how tough you are ANYTIME soon.  Mommy doesn't do well under high stress/panic.  :-)

Now, onto putting off the inevitable (and very much desired) nap time...

*Note:  The above pictures were taken directly after Mommy's panic attack... :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Don't know about you, but I think he's trying to escape!  :-)

Bye Bye...

PACIFIER!

So excited...our sweet boy threw away his "paci" last night before bedtime, and hasn't cried or asked for it since!  My little boy is growing up so fast...

For those of you wondering...I used the same "technique" on Austin that we successfully used on Katie at this age.  For the last 2-3 weeks, we limited his paci time to only when he was in his crib going to sleep.  *At this time, we took all of the "extras" away, leaving only one in the bed.  This is more for the parents than for him, as it would be too convinient to have one in the car/bag to give when fussiness came.*  He would ask for it occasionally, but he knew paci stayed in the bed, so he would generally go on about his business with no problems.  Last week, I took the crib pacifier and cut a hole in the top of it, taking away the "suction" pacifiers have.  This makes it to where he would have to practically bite the pacifier to keep it in his mouth...not exactly satisfying.  Obviously he knew something was different, but he didn't know what.  He would try to fall alseep with the "broken" paci for the first few days, but would quickly throw it out of his crib and go to sleep without it.  After a week, he didn't even look for it or ask for it, though it was still in his bed.  So, last night, we asked him if he was ready to throw it away, and he did!  Our big boy never once whimpered, cried, or asked for it at any time.  YAHHH, AUSTIN!!!

Bye Bye, Pacifier! 

You were great these last 18 months,

but being a big boy is so much better!! 

Not Me! Monday

Be sure to check out more "not me" Monday posts at McMama's blog, where it all started!

I did not find Austin playing in the toilet with his mixing spoon on at least 2 occassions this week...sticking daddy's screw drivers in the dishwasher filter (?) while it was running...using a chair to get in the kitchen drawer and finding sharp knives...and who knows what else I've forgotten or not seen.  He's into EVERYTHING right now!

Katie did not ask to dress herself and get ready to go shopping with me earlier this week...all day long she worked on finding the *perfect* accessories to match her chosen outfit.  By the time we left, I had this beautiful princess...loving her PINK!

Austin did not cut 3 more teeth last week, now totally 10 teeth.  He's trying to "catch up" with his buddies by getting them all in at once, apparently.  :-)

I did not SO enjoy the weather on Saturday...I can't wait for more flip-flop weather!!  I'm *dying* to get outside with my camera and kids!! 

81 and counting...

Last Sunday we celebrated Grandma Evan's 81st birthday with lots of food and laughs!  Since Tuesday, Grandma has been in the hospital, very sick.  Most of you know this already, but we ask for and appreciate all of the prayers! 

We're so thankful to have Grandma in our lives, and are counting on many more celebrations to come...

We love you, Grandma!

Not Me! Monday

I really didn't fall off the face of the earth this past week...well, not totally :-) It's been BUSY! But, though it may be short (due to my lack of time and lonnnngggg to-do list), I am going to give you a "Not Me! Monday" post this week. Aren't you so proud? ;-)

I did not recently have the following conversation with my sweet 3-yr-old daughter after putting a new pair of jeans on her...

{Katie} Mommy, I'm a big girl now!
{Me} Yes, Sweetheart, you are a big girl.
{Katie} I'm wearing jeans like Daddy wears! And they have a zipper, too!!
{Me} You're right! They sure do. I'm glad you like them.
{Katie} Do you know what that means??
{Me} What?
{Katie} I can potty like Daddy does now!
{Me} What do you mean? (AKA - I think I know what you mean, but I want to be sure...)
{Katie} You know, Mommy...when he stands up and unzips his zipper to potty. He doesn't have to sit!
{Me} LOLOLOL Oh, Sweetie...I don't think it works that way...on to explaining as clearly but as little as possible... :-)

I also did not recently turn the corner to find that my sweet baby boy had managed to find my white manicure paint pen and painted his entire face (and tongue) white! {I wish I would have taken a picture, but I was a little too concerned about the fingernail polish that was in his mouth at the time...}

Oh, the joys... :-)

Time with Daddy...

Just a little time with Daddy...

Austin meets Daddy at the door every afternoon after work, and begs to be held and loved on.  It's so precious to see, especially when I think that one day in the {not-so-distant, dispite my attempts to slow down time} future, our little boy will be grown, too...and what a great set of shoes he has to follow in learning to be just what God wants him to be!

Wordless Wednesday

Katie helped Daddy pick out beautiful pink roses just for Mommy... :-)

Gigi's Big Break - A Review

I was recently sent one of the new “Gigi, God's Little Princess” movies on DVD, Gigi's Big Break from Thomas Nelson Publishing. My 3-year-old daughter absolutely loves Gigi, and I definitely enjoy the positive lessons that are taught through the movies. So, we were anxious to watch Gigi’s Big Break as soon as it arrived!

My daughter sat through the entire movie, watching it very intently and commenting on what was right/wrong to do in the story. It was great to see that the lessons presented were on a level that even a 3-year-old could understand. I did immediately notice that the movie was fully animated. This was not a negative thing, per se, but we were used to seeing the real little girl, Gigi, who would take us into the animated world as she was thinking/dreaming.

This DVD had two full-length episodes. The first is “The White Lie”, based on 1 John 1:8-9. This story teaching about honesty was great! It used a simple example of not telling the truth when you think you may get in trouble, then watching that lie grow each time you tell it. Gigi learned that, though it may not be fun to get in trouble for an action (like her disobedience that led to a broken vase), it is much worse to lie about it and have to live with the guilt of that sin. This is a great lesson that shows the importance of honesty and the truth of God’s forgiveness and love for us.

The second story on the DVD is “The Pink Surprise”, based on Luke 10:21, where Gigi is told that her parents have a great surprise to tell her about. She spends all day imagining all of the many possibilities the surprise may be…moving to outer space, getting a new beautiful canopy bed like her friend, etc. To her surprise, she is going to be a big sister! Gigi is quickly concerned about no longer being the only child and losing her parents love and attention. She even tries to figure out how to return the new baby. But in the end, she gains a blessing that will last forever!

If you are looking for a simple animated movie for the little princess in your life, I would suggest this. The movie is cute and funny, keeping even a busy 3-year-old’s attention, but also teaches great Biblical lessons for life! This is a great way to put real life examples to the important life lessons you teach from God’s word.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

March 2, 2010

Outside my window... I see my day lilies and amarillas sprouting!  Yahh!!  Spring is coming...and the weather is beautiful :-)

I am thinking...about all that I was convicted about and challenged with over the last month (but especially last week in our revival services)...oh, how much I have to work on...to be truly changed into His image!

I am thankful for...a forgiving God, who loves me and gives me unfailing mercy and grace, even when I've failed in so many areas...so many times.  I am also thankful for my best friend, my soul mate, whom I could not live without!

From the kitchen...it's an easy mexican night!  Tacos, beans, rice...YUM!

I am wearing... jeans, white tank, and an adorable little blue casual dress jacket that I spotted at a local "treasure hunt" store for $3.00!

I am creating... an unending to-do list for this week!

I am going... finish getting my house back to normal (from all of our painting/flooring), get back on track with our homeschooling (we're a few days behind), and continue trying to prepare my heart for what I know God will use to challenge and encourage me this weekend at our Gulf Coast Ladies' Conference. 

I am reading...90 Days with the Apostle John & 66 Love Letters, along with a few photography books from the library :-)

I am hoping... we will have less tantrums and disobedience tomorrow...but either way, I will remain consistent and praise God anyway!

I am hearing... Katie's bedtime CD playing "Hold on to Jesus", Austin's ocean sounds through the monitor, and two keyboards working away :-)

Around the house... the pictures are coming out of the closet and are finding their "new" homes in our room and throughout the house.  I think it's all coming together now...and I'm loving it!  :-)

One of my favorite things... was getting to watch the kids play for over an hour outside, and seeing how dirty they managed to get doing so!  With such pretty weather, who could stay inside??

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Exploreum tomorrow, Austin's 18 mo check-up on Wednesday, Church on Wednesday night, and Ladies' Conference in Pensacola Friday/Saturday!  :-)

18 months

Austin - at 18 months you...

have the most contagious laughs

like to aggravate your big sister all day

love to sing and try to direct music

can sing the tune to two songs

still need you paci & di...sometimes

love to be outside

have two adorable dimples

now have 7 teeth and 3+ more emerging

like to eat all day long

are beginning to talk more

still babble lots

love to watch movies and read books

take one afternoon nap

love to climb on anything

are obsessed with wearing shoes

are a pretty laid back boy

look a lot like your Daddy

have the funniest expressions

love pouring things from one bowl to another

like to play in the dirt

enjoy getting dirty

are becoming very independent

are a sweet boy that we love so much

have been a blessing to each of us

are our second gift from God

Happy 18 months, sweet boy! 

We are looking forward to celebrating

your 2nd birthday with you soon...

Tree Climbing FUN!

Today's beautiful weather practically forced the me (and the kids, of course) out of the house!  So, while we were out, I decided I would attempt a few 18 month portraits of Austin with high hopes to even get a cute brother/sister shot out of the deal.  The kids had so much fun climbing trees (being the little monkeys they are) and feeding two pieces of bread to about 30 starving ducks and geese.  {Note to self...next time, bring more bread so the beautiful wildlife doesn't turn very mean when we run out of food!} 

Here are a few shots I took...

I can't say that it was the "perfect" pictures...

1) I had no help keeping either kid from falling out of the trees
2) we had lots of wildlife chasing us and scaring me when they got uncomfortably close to the children
3) it was noon...the sun was bright and washing out all of my beautiful colors

But perfect or not, we had a great time FULL of laughter!