On the way home from school, William and I had the following conversation:
W: "Mom, so I go to middle school like grades 6, 7, and 8 and then I go to high school 9th though 12th, right?"
M: "yes, that is right!"
W: "but when do I go to college?"
M: "you go to college after 12th grade. you can go anywhere you want in the 50 states."
W: "oh.....(goes quiet). Mom, but do I have to buy a house first? i don't have enough money to go to college AND save up for my private jet. where do I live when I do that?"
M: "you live in a dorm. it's like a small hotel room and you share it with another friend."
W: "but I don't want to go to college and never see you again. (tears up) you mean, you don't come with me to college? it's like I have to go all by myself? I don't even know how to wash my socks and I am not that good at making my bed. I am working on it but...."
M: "yes, isn't that exciting! believe me, you won't want me to go to college with you. but don't worry about it right now. let's enjoy being 5 and going to kindergarten."
W: "Mom, I have a great idea. I am going to go to a college that is close to our house and that way I can come home and see you. what are a few colleges that are by 24th street?"
M: "well, you have ORU and Tulsa University." "ORU is right by Holland Hall and Tulsa University is closer to where Dada works."
W: "ok then. It's an easy choice. ORU is way too far away so I will go to Tulsa University since it is closer to 24th street where you live. Can Adeline come live at college with me?
M: "no buddy. I am sorry. Adeline has to live at our house and then when she's old enough for college, she can pick anywhere she wants to go. Just like you."
W: "oh mannnnnn. (on the verge of crying). That makes me so sad. She's my best friend and I can't go to college without her. So I don't think I will go at all."
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Kiddie Park Spookarama
Last Friday night, we traveled to Bartlesville to the annual Spookarama at the kiddie park. I blogged about the Kiddie Park several months ago when we took the kids during the summer. It's a cute, little park with 25 cent rides that you'd find at a fair (boat ride, train ride, airplanes, carousel, ferris wheel, etc). In October, the kiddie park hosts "Spookarama" where the kids get to wear their costumes and the park is decorated in a Halloween theme. William heard about it and talked about it for weeks, so we decided to try it out.
Since we'd been to the park before, William knew which rides he wanted to go on and that helped us avoid a lot of needless waiting around. He chose the boat ride, the carousel, and the airplanes. Most lines were pretty long, so just a few rides was the key to success.
I took William to ride his choice rides while Dada took Adeline on several carousel rides. I got a few shots of our fun, but it was dark and the rides moved pretty quick.
After 1.5 hours, we headed to our hotel. The kids ran around the hotel room until about 10 pm and then Adeline crashed so we all went to sleep. We had a suite which made it easier to all be in the same room with Anna. I slept "down the hall" (about 15 paces), William and Dada had the queen bed and Adeline was in the pack and play. It worked out surprisingly well and everyone slept pretty good.
We took the kids to the pool after breakfast and it was a slight disappointment. The water was FREEZING and the kids just couldn't take it. I was only willing to go as deep as my ankles - it was SO COLD. Despite the quick swim, William and Adeline thought staying in a hotel was super fun.
We headed back to Tulsa later that afternoon. William was thrilled we took a road trip and he cannot wait to go back to the kiddie park in the spring.
I didn't bother putting Adeline in her Halloween costume because she's so little and the weather was cold. She was in a coat and buried in the stroller, so you'd never know she wasn't in costume. William was fired up to sport his Fighter Pilot outfit. He loves any chance to wear it. So when we got to the park, he changed into his costume and off we went into the kiddie park for some evening fun. There were TONS of kids and most of them had on costumes. Anna was buried down in the carrier and snugly warm against me.
Since we'd been to the park before, William knew which rides he wanted to go on and that helped us avoid a lot of needless waiting around. He chose the boat ride, the carousel, and the airplanes. Most lines were pretty long, so just a few rides was the key to success.
I took William to ride his choice rides while Dada took Adeline on several carousel rides. I got a few shots of our fun, but it was dark and the rides moved pretty quick.
After 1.5 hours, we headed to our hotel. The kids ran around the hotel room until about 10 pm and then Adeline crashed so we all went to sleep. We had a suite which made it easier to all be in the same room with Anna. I slept "down the hall" (about 15 paces), William and Dada had the queen bed and Adeline was in the pack and play. It worked out surprisingly well and everyone slept pretty good.
We took the kids to the pool after breakfast and it was a slight disappointment. The water was FREEZING and the kids just couldn't take it. I was only willing to go as deep as my ankles - it was SO COLD. Despite the quick swim, William and Adeline thought staying in a hotel was super fun.
We headed back to Tulsa later that afternoon. William was thrilled we took a road trip and he cannot wait to go back to the kiddie park in the spring.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Anna is ONE MONTH old!
My precious Anna baby,
You are are ONE MONTH OLD!
One month....I keep asking myself "how did we get here so fast?" "Please no! don't be one month old already!" "I wish I was still pregnant with you!"
Anna baby, I would relive your birthday over and over again....if I could.
My heart aches just thinking about it.
You are such a sweet, sweet baby. You weigh 7 lbs, 14 ounces (although I suspect you are gaining because recently your milk intake has increased). You wear a size 1 diaper or a newborn diaper, but I prefer a size 1 because you are REALLY good at giving me dirty diapers! Your eyes are as blue as the ocean and I LOVE that about you. I pray your eyes don't change color because right now they are such a beautiful blue. You don't have that much hair, but the little sprouts I see actually look red. I wonder if you will be strawberry blonde or if the red will fade and you'll be end a brunette like Adeline. Only time will tell!
You spend your days in newborn clothes, mostly gowns and a sleep sack. You LOVE to be swaddled and you will only take your hospital issued pacifier. Luckily, I was able to snag a bunch from the nurses before we left. You are getting better at "liking" the carseat. I hate to hear you cry while I drive and I will pull over just to put the pacifier back in your mouth. This helps soothe you and more often than not, you will fall asleep. You just hate being confined under that carseat harness......I can't blame you. It doesn't look the least bit comfortable to me either!
You took to the bottle right from the start and I have been feeding you Enfamil Newborn. You tolerate both the powder and the liquid. When you came home from the hospital, you were up to 2 ounces of formula every 3 hours. Now at one month old, you are up to 4 ounces of formula every 3-4 hours during the day. At night, you are sleeping like a champ. You usually have a bottle around 9pm and fall fast asleep. I don't hear from you until around 3 am or so.......after the early morning feeding, you will go back to sleep or spend some time tooting and pooping. Once we get you cleaned up and on track, you usually fall back asleep until 6 am or so. At one month, I can't ask for a better sleep pattern.
Your cry is very distinct. You don't "cry" a traditional cry. Yours is a high pitched scream that sounds like a baby bird screaming. Even one month later, it's the exact sound I heard when you were born and the doctor raised you above the curtain for me to see. I know your cry from a million miles away.
Adeline and William ADORE you. Adeline loves to climb up on the couch next to me and say "ENNNNNAAAA!" "ENNNNNNAAA so cute!" And she likes to bring you a pacifier any chance she gets. Adeline knows not to suck on your pacifiers but anytime you have one, she MUST have her own "pah-hee" to suck on too. She is getting better at learning to pat your head softly and you should see the smile on her face when you and I pick her up at mother's day out. She is SO SO HAPPY to see us and she is really proud to show you off to the ladies at church. And every morning, Adeline's first question is "ENNNNNAAAA, where are chu??????" and when she sees you, she bends over and gives you a kiss. It is such a treat to watch her embrace you. Adeline will never know life without you, and I am so thankful that you will have each other.
William is your greatest protector. He loves you more than I ever thought possible. He's your biggest fan. He is always concerned with how you slept the night before, he LOVES to hold you on the boppy pillow and he takes great pride in feeding you a bottle. Tonight, William helped me give you a bath and man, he was so thrilled. He smiled from ear to ear while he washed your tiny little body. You sat still in the sink and just starred at him while he sprinkled the water on your belly. He was so gentle and careful and asked me "mom, do you think Anna wants me to be the one person in this family who is in charge of her bath time?" Such a serious conversation and I of course said, "yes! this will be your job." William just beamed. Looking you straight in the eyes and using a quiet voice, he said, "ok lovie buggie. you are all clean and it's time to wrap up in a towel and get your jammies on." That moment is in my heart forever. He's a wonderful big brother and I know that you two will share an amazing bond. I am jealous just thinking about it!
Oh my Anna. You are every ounce the delight of my heart. You are so tiny but yet one month old, you seem so big to me. I know I can't rewind time or slow down your growth. It hurts. just a little. But I am so thankful for this last month of loving on you. Your tiny hands, your itty bitty feet. The way you hold my pinkie in a death grip while you drink your bottle and how your hand clings to my shirt while you sleep. Or how in the dark of night I can see into your big blue eyes and you look right back at me as if we've known each other forever. And your precious head fits perfectly in the nook of my left arm and you know exactly where you are when you lay there. All these moments are seered into my mind and I am holding on just praying I never forget.
Happy One Month Birthday Anna! We love you!
You are are ONE MONTH OLD!
One month....I keep asking myself "how did we get here so fast?" "Please no! don't be one month old already!" "I wish I was still pregnant with you!"
Anna baby, I would relive your birthday over and over again....if I could.
My heart aches just thinking about it.
You are such a sweet, sweet baby. You weigh 7 lbs, 14 ounces (although I suspect you are gaining because recently your milk intake has increased). You wear a size 1 diaper or a newborn diaper, but I prefer a size 1 because you are REALLY good at giving me dirty diapers! Your eyes are as blue as the ocean and I LOVE that about you. I pray your eyes don't change color because right now they are such a beautiful blue. You don't have that much hair, but the little sprouts I see actually look red. I wonder if you will be strawberry blonde or if the red will fade and you'll be end a brunette like Adeline. Only time will tell!
You spend your days in newborn clothes, mostly gowns and a sleep sack. You LOVE to be swaddled and you will only take your hospital issued pacifier. Luckily, I was able to snag a bunch from the nurses before we left. You are getting better at "liking" the carseat. I hate to hear you cry while I drive and I will pull over just to put the pacifier back in your mouth. This helps soothe you and more often than not, you will fall asleep. You just hate being confined under that carseat harness......I can't blame you. It doesn't look the least bit comfortable to me either!
You took to the bottle right from the start and I have been feeding you Enfamil Newborn. You tolerate both the powder and the liquid. When you came home from the hospital, you were up to 2 ounces of formula every 3 hours. Now at one month old, you are up to 4 ounces of formula every 3-4 hours during the day. At night, you are sleeping like a champ. You usually have a bottle around 9pm and fall fast asleep. I don't hear from you until around 3 am or so.......after the early morning feeding, you will go back to sleep or spend some time tooting and pooping. Once we get you cleaned up and on track, you usually fall back asleep until 6 am or so. At one month, I can't ask for a better sleep pattern.
Your cry is very distinct. You don't "cry" a traditional cry. Yours is a high pitched scream that sounds like a baby bird screaming. Even one month later, it's the exact sound I heard when you were born and the doctor raised you above the curtain for me to see. I know your cry from a million miles away.
Adeline and William ADORE you. Adeline loves to climb up on the couch next to me and say "ENNNNNAAAA!" "ENNNNNNAAA so cute!" And she likes to bring you a pacifier any chance she gets. Adeline knows not to suck on your pacifiers but anytime you have one, she MUST have her own "pah-hee" to suck on too. She is getting better at learning to pat your head softly and you should see the smile on her face when you and I pick her up at mother's day out. She is SO SO HAPPY to see us and she is really proud to show you off to the ladies at church. And every morning, Adeline's first question is "ENNNNNAAAA, where are chu??????" and when she sees you, she bends over and gives you a kiss. It is such a treat to watch her embrace you. Adeline will never know life without you, and I am so thankful that you will have each other.
William is your greatest protector. He loves you more than I ever thought possible. He's your biggest fan. He is always concerned with how you slept the night before, he LOVES to hold you on the boppy pillow and he takes great pride in feeding you a bottle. Tonight, William helped me give you a bath and man, he was so thrilled. He smiled from ear to ear while he washed your tiny little body. You sat still in the sink and just starred at him while he sprinkled the water on your belly. He was so gentle and careful and asked me "mom, do you think Anna wants me to be the one person in this family who is in charge of her bath time?" Such a serious conversation and I of course said, "yes! this will be your job." William just beamed. Looking you straight in the eyes and using a quiet voice, he said, "ok lovie buggie. you are all clean and it's time to wrap up in a towel and get your jammies on." That moment is in my heart forever. He's a wonderful big brother and I know that you two will share an amazing bond. I am jealous just thinking about it!
Oh my Anna. You are every ounce the delight of my heart. You are so tiny but yet one month old, you seem so big to me. I know I can't rewind time or slow down your growth. It hurts. just a little. But I am so thankful for this last month of loving on you. Your tiny hands, your itty bitty feet. The way you hold my pinkie in a death grip while you drink your bottle and how your hand clings to my shirt while you sleep. Or how in the dark of night I can see into your big blue eyes and you look right back at me as if we've known each other forever. And your precious head fits perfectly in the nook of my left arm and you know exactly where you are when you lay there. All these moments are seered into my mind and I am holding on just praying I never forget.
Happy One Month Birthday Anna! We love you!
Friday, October 19, 2012
HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!
I LOVE OCTOBER! And I knew when we moved back to Oklahoma that October would be the one month out of the year that I would be homesick for Virginia. The Fall there is INCREDIBLE. It is SO beautiful to drive through the country towns in Virginia and see the leaves changing and how charming the old town buildings look in the fall scenery. Our old neighborhood had fantastic trees that would change colors and leave piles of leaves for the kids to jump in. The smell of fall takes me back to the memories of when William was so little.......Every year, we'd go apple picking in a little country town with rows and rows of rolling hills packed with apple trees. We hit almost every farm hosting a pumpkin festival or corn maze. I can still see the beaming smile on William's face when I would pick him up from school early just so we could hit Cox Farm with our good friend, Caroline and her mom. He LOVED October in VA just as much as I did. We LOVED taking daytrips in the fall when the weather was perfect and our Saturdays were slow and carefree. Just thinking about those "good ol' days" brings back so many of my favorite memories with Dan and then with William when he was a baby. It seems like yesterday when Dan and I plopped William down on the Gettysburg Battlefield so he could practice walking......oh Fall, I can feel the breeze and taste that crisp, fresh fall air in VA......D.C., I am missing you terribly this month!
Crazy Hair Day - Kindergarten
Friday was Crazy Hair day at school for William. He picked out blue hairspray and told Dan to spike it up!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Cutest little pumpkin in the patch!
Miss Anna is the cutest little pumpkin in the patch this year! 2 weeks old.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Home Sweet Home.....finally
Well, it's been a crazy couple of weeks around here. We welcomed our Anna into the world on September 25th and on October 9th, we moved into our house. Yes, that's 2 weeks post c-section delivery with a newborn, hundreds of boxes and 2 other little people in towe.........We are finally in our house but certainly not finished with the remodel. We are trying the best we can to live around the workmen and the construction. Doing all of this with a newborn is not ideal, but I am sure in 10 years we will look back at this with a good laugh and wonder what on earth we were thinking.......
Thank goodness I feel good. Thank goodness my c-section went well and I was able to recover slightly before moving my life from our tiny apartment into our family home. I am thankful for rest. I am grateful for friends, planned meals and moving boxes.
But I most thankful for Bebe. She has been here since Anna was born and she has worked tirelessly on helping me recover and prepare for our move. She helped pack up our belongings, she has shuttled kids to and from school and activities, loved on a newborn, she has unpacked boxes, washed all the dishes, tackled the laundry (and newborn laundry is a mountain high!), she has given my kids attention and hugs when my arms are full, she's kept us on schedule and she has performed countless other tasks for me and my family. I do NOT know how we'd survive without her. Because of her my head is above water, my calendar is organized and I am a little less overwhelmed by my "to do" list.....and let me tell you that list is 10 miles long.
I don't know anyone else in my life who has a more giving heart than my mom. Her love for us leaves me speechless and I can only HOPE to be even half of the amazing person she is.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU BEBE!
I will post pictures of the chaos soon.....just gotta figure out which box has the camera. sigh.
Thank goodness I feel good. Thank goodness my c-section went well and I was able to recover slightly before moving my life from our tiny apartment into our family home. I am thankful for rest. I am grateful for friends, planned meals and moving boxes.
But I most thankful for Bebe. She has been here since Anna was born and she has worked tirelessly on helping me recover and prepare for our move. She helped pack up our belongings, she has shuttled kids to and from school and activities, loved on a newborn, she has unpacked boxes, washed all the dishes, tackled the laundry (and newborn laundry is a mountain high!), she has given my kids attention and hugs when my arms are full, she's kept us on schedule and she has performed countless other tasks for me and my family. I do NOT know how we'd survive without her. Because of her my head is above water, my calendar is organized and I am a little less overwhelmed by my "to do" list.....and let me tell you that list is 10 miles long.
I don't know anyone else in my life who has a more giving heart than my mom. Her love for us leaves me speechless and I can only HOPE to be even half of the amazing person she is.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU BEBE!
I will post pictures of the chaos soon.....just gotta figure out which box has the camera. sigh.
Anna meets Gram, Bubba and Ann
Last weekend, Anna had the privilege of meeting her Bubba and Gram for the first time. Dan's sister, Ann, was also in town visiting her parents so it was even more exciting that Anna got to meet her cousin Jake and Auntie Ann as well. The troops came to Tulsa on Saturday and spent the afternoon with us. Gram held Anna in such a tight grip that even super glue wouldn't win a match with her! I think Miss Anna was taken by her Gram because she nestled down in her arms and slumbered for most of the visit.
William had the time of his life with his cousin Jake and his Auntie Ann. They baked cookies, went out for pizza, hit the Omniplex for 3 hours and played on the Ipad. It was a treat for William to see Jake because they are the best of friends and only 4 months apart. When I asked William what he enjoyed about Jake, he said, "Mom Jake is just my best cousin and I was so surprised how much he had grown since I saw him. He loves to play army and we showed each other our favorite Ipad games."
Saturday night when I put William to bed he cried himself to sleep just bawling and bawling. He could barely contain himself through tears. He missed Jake SO MUCH that I ached for him. He LOVES people with all his heart and it was incredibly hard for him to let Jake go back to VA. I reassured William that soon enough he could go to D.C. and see Jake again.
As for now, I think Facetime on Ipad will be our link of friendship!
William had the time of his life with his cousin Jake and his Auntie Ann. They baked cookies, went out for pizza, hit the Omniplex for 3 hours and played on the Ipad. It was a treat for William to see Jake because they are the best of friends and only 4 months apart. When I asked William what he enjoyed about Jake, he said, "Mom Jake is just my best cousin and I was so surprised how much he had grown since I saw him. He loves to play army and we showed each other our favorite Ipad games."
Saturday night when I put William to bed he cried himself to sleep just bawling and bawling. He could barely contain himself through tears. He missed Jake SO MUCH that I ached for him. He LOVES people with all his heart and it was incredibly hard for him to let Jake go back to VA. I reassured William that soon enough he could go to D.C. and see Jake again.
As for now, I think Facetime on Ipad will be our link of friendship!
Friday, October 5, 2012
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The best big brother
No one loves his sisters more than my William. He's the proudest, most doting big brother and I am so thankful for him.
Don't get me wrong. Yes, there are times when someone gets pushed around, tears flow or a toy goes to time out. But for the most part, those moments are rare. When chaos does erupt, I always remind William that Adeline isn't 5 and she doesn't understand all of his rules. He knows that, but even still, it can be frustrating when he's spent time building with blocks and Adeline comes in like a tornado to try and play along.
William adores his Anna too. He's the first to hold her in the morning and he takes great pride in giving her a bottle and singing her songs. As I mentioned before, he's got some great lullabies that he will randomly sing to her....it's the most endearing performance to watch.
So William, your mama is super proud of you and all the leadership you exude on your sisters. They are the luckiest little ladies I know because you are in their life. I also know that I can count on you to love them, protect them and cheer them on. You have a heart of gold and I treasure you.
Mom
He always referred to each of his sisters as "my baby." He would always say, "when my baby gets here....." etc. He truly was excited for each of them to arrive and everyday I see William teaching Adeline new things. He loves to play with her and together they have built forts, raced cars, explored the mud, crawled through the Thomas tunnel, played tag and hide-and-seek, played store and drawn pictures. William even reminds me to put Adeline's hairbow in her hair when she gets ready for school.
Don't get me wrong. Yes, there are times when someone gets pushed around, tears flow or a toy goes to time out. But for the most part, those moments are rare. When chaos does erupt, I always remind William that Adeline isn't 5 and she doesn't understand all of his rules. He knows that, but even still, it can be frustrating when he's spent time building with blocks and Adeline comes in like a tornado to try and play along.
William adores his Anna too. He's the first to hold her in the morning and he takes great pride in giving her a bottle and singing her songs. As I mentioned before, he's got some great lullabies that he will randomly sing to her....it's the most endearing performance to watch.
So William, your mama is super proud of you and all the leadership you exude on your sisters. They are the luckiest little ladies I know because you are in their life. I also know that I can count on you to love them, protect them and cheer them on. You have a heart of gold and I treasure you.
Mom
MIss Anna gets a bath
Miss Anna had a lapse in bowel movements for a few days, so we all sat in great anticipation for her to relieve herself.....I know, I know..... the things that become the center of your world after you have a baby!
Bebe and I looked at each other and had no idea where to even start in an effort to clean her up. After a few missteps, we got her undressed and tried our best to make sense of the mess. The only way to help my sweet girl out was to give her a bath. I hated for Dada to miss Anna's first bath, but I really had no choice. She was covered!
So we quickly filled a small tub with water and dipped her for a few seconds. She didn't seem to mind and was pretty quiet the whole time we were rinsing her off. Once we got her all bundled up, she was comfy and cozy in my arms.
And she smelled SO GOOD!
Yesterday after I got her all dressed and situated on her nap nanny, there was no denying that my girl had completed her task. It was EVERYWHERE. And I mean E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.
Bebe and I looked at each other and had no idea where to even start in an effort to clean her up. After a few missteps, we got her undressed and tried our best to make sense of the mess. The only way to help my sweet girl out was to give her a bath. I hated for Dada to miss Anna's first bath, but I really had no choice. She was covered!
So we quickly filled a small tub with water and dipped her for a few seconds. She didn't seem to mind and was pretty quiet the whole time we were rinsing her off. Once we got her all bundled up, she was comfy and cozy in my arms.
And she smelled SO GOOD!
Welcome Fall
adeline 18 months
My little pumpkin has been learning a song at school called
"Leaves are Falling"
Leaves are falling (wiggle your fingers)
Leaves are falling (hold hand up)
All around (move hands infront of you in a circle)
All around (move hands infront of you in a circle)
Pick them up (pretend to pick up leaves)
And throw them up (pretend to throw the leaves)
And touch the ground (touch the ground)
She lights up everytime we sing it together and she's pretty good at the hand motions too!
HAPPY FALL from Miss Adeline!
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