Monday, January 28, 2013

Happy Distractions

Here's what the kids and I have been doing this week, attempting (and succeeding) to stay busy.


I'm hopeful that this will help us (me) to heal after losing a pet.


So far, I think its working, for the most part. I'm also working on getting a photo book together online to remember Precious, so when we're busy and having fun we're (I'm) fine and dandy. When we (I) stop and reflect its hard. It just is.

But we've been on lots of fun outings this week-story time at Barnes and Noble, the car wash, CFA, the park (lots), Weston's ball game, out to lunch (lots),a new doughnut shop, the mall and the zoo!














Sunday, January 27, 2013

2-and-a-half {jay}

Halfway between 2 and 3!! That's where we are now-and all is as it should be.


Jay is all boy-daring, rough, cuddly, smart, inquisitive, expressive, busy, happy, loud, strong, sweet, persistent, stubborn, caring, and more.

Weight: 45 pounds
Height: 40+ inches
Size: 5T fits best, sleeves and pants are too long right now, but that is becoming less of a problem with each passing day, some 4T things still fit, some do not.
Shoe Size: 11 and 11 1/2

Jay is usually up around 7-7:30 and gets out of bed himself, stands at the gate at the top of the steps and calls down the steps saying, "Mommy! Sun wake up!" and the day is off and running. Naptime is usually 2-5 or somewhere in that neighborhood just depending on our day. Bedtime is around 9 these days. Jay likes for either Mommy or Daddy to lay with him when he goes to sleep. I know Daddy tells him stories (huntin' stories) and when I put him to bed we usually look at a book, say our prayers, I sing "choo choo" as he calls it which is a little song I made up about a year ago and we sing it virtually every day.

Jay is usually a great eater and likes Chicken (Chik-fil-a is his #1 favorite by far),"taco and beans", cheeseburgers, yogurt, all cereals and oatmeal, meatloaf, lasagna, chips, snacks of any kind, turkey sandwiches (with Miracle Whip just like Mommy) corn, and fruit, fruit and more fruit.

He's not "big" on sweets, but does like to make brownies, eat oreos and chips ahoy and will eat a few bites of cake at a birthday. He loves Jello, but really just likes it because we use the Halloween Jello Jigglers mold to make it. Yes, I realize that Halloween is looong over, but he likes it. (He asks for "Jack-oh-lan Jello".)

He drinks milk, sometimes with chocolate-most of the time without, apple juice, "clementine" (orange) juice, capri sun and takes a cup of water to bed. He also drinks sweet (decaf) tea when we have tea at home.

Jay loves tools, machines, heavy equipment and being outside. He is especially into hunting right now and wants to look for deer out the window (which is convenient since we have woods in our yard and Daddy has several deer that are basically coming to eat in our driveway at dawn and dusk). Three days this week he's come to get me because he has gone to the window and actually seen a deer, he comes to get me and when I go to look ITS STILL THERE! He will tell you all about "his" deer and refers to them (correctly) as a buck, doe and fawn. He actually will tell you he found a "monster buck". Thanks, Daddy.

He loves his Daddy. Often asks me "where's my friend Daddy" or "where's my best buddy Daddy". If Daddy is home then its Daddy Jay wants most of the time. He loves me too, he just loves the change when Daddy is around.


He can be really sweet to Lizzy. He can also push the limit and get himself into trouble with Lizzy. Its a constant back and forth right now--do I love her? do I want to squish her? Should I give her a kiss? Should I take all of her toys?--decisions decisions.

Most notably JAY TALKS ALL OF THE TIME.
He asks lots of questions, talks the entire time you're in the car, gets a little ticked off if anyone else is trying to talk, but might get quiet or hide in front of a stranger or even if someone he has met before comes to our house.

Some things we want to remember:

"No like it."
"No have some." (usually when we're asking him about going potty)
"I don't nope" (instead of I don't know)
We say,"Jay, tell Lizzy you love her" He says "I love her".
Malentime (Valentine)

He is growing bigger and stronger and braver with each week that passes. Each day is an adventure with this guy. He keeps us laughing and usually stunned by all he knows, says and does.



Thursday, January 24, 2013

Precious.




Precious
adopted December 20, 2006 and left our family January 22, 2013.







She was so much more than our first pet. We loved her truly like a baby. She taught me so much that prepared me to be a parent.


Patience. Forgiveness. Joy. Unconditional Love.


She was truly Joseph's best friend and was my companion whenever I was alone.

She was the first to know we were pregnant (both times).

She was Jay's first friend.







She was loved. So very, very loved.


Friday, January 18, 2013

Christmas 2012 {in pictures}


Some Holiday Highlights from Christmas 2012....

The kids and I went to Nashville for the weekend in early December and were able to catch the Donelson Christmas parade with Mimi, Karla and Kelsey. CJ and Charles represented the cub scouts and we met up with the Frye's at a parade watching party.





Charles driving the scouts! 
CJ front and center on the float

 Dede and I took Jay, Lizzy and Davis to see Weston and Jen represent their cub scout pack in the Homewood Christmas Parade.


We continued the holiday tradition of decorating some Christmas cookies at Dede's.
He cooks AND snacks






If you only knew how many photos I took....my oh my.

Lizzy, allow me to introduce you to our friend icing. 




We traveled to Nashville again for a stay at Opryland, checked out the lights with Karla, Kelsey and CJ then Christmased with the family the next day at Charles and Karkar's. 
Hotel check in. 



I wish I knew what Lizzy and CJ were chatting about. 


Photobomber!


Checking out the giant tree.




Elephant+Jay= Roll Tide!

Someone loved her 1st Christmas!

CJand Kelsey sorting gifts. Jay unsorting gifts.








Christmas Eve we had a festive time at our house with Jen, Sean, Weston, Davis, Dede, Papa, Gina, Isabella and Lucy. 


Christmas Morning we opened gifts and found surprises from Santa.






We wrapped up Christmas day at Dede and Papa's with lunch and presents!



Thankfully, I got a new camera for Christmas!!