Our 'Biolin' Boy

So, we recently discovered a new passion...the violin. Not sure when exactly this developed; we think it might have been the lovely quartet at the Nebraska wedding. Earlier this week Winston was very clearly trying to play the violin...with whatever he could use to reflect the violin motion. His arms, pens, crayons, sticks, etc.

During an after-dinner-band-practice session this weekend (sit around in the kitchen while mom cleans up and play the drums with kitchen accessories while dad accompanies with guitar), we decided to get Chap's real violin out to see if he would know what to do with it.

Turns out he did. Kind of. The bo was entirely too long to take with him all the places he needed it; the car, the grocery store, the pool, the bed, etc.

This was earlier this morning at breakfast. He has been getting up EXTRA early screaming "Mommmma...BIOLIN" in his crib until I wake up, and take him to get his violin (no we have not actually let him take it to sleep with yet; but a few more early morning wake up calls and I might be tempted...)

Seriously...I haven't seen him this obsessed with anything yet. It cracked me up. We took the strings out of the bo, so it doesn't even make noise. Yet, he thinks he is playing the violin...he will have a little performance, set the bo and violin down, and begin clapping for himself.
Watching Dave Mathews Band to get motivated after breakfast. He loves some Boyd.

So, this afternoon (after several near domestics with the extra long bo he was using from Chap's violin) we decided we'd venture down to the local music shop, Woody's, to see if they had any smaller bo's he might be able to manage a little better.

...and instead we came home with this. A gently used baby violin. Comes complete with baby bo, baby case, and a baby CD/DVD set for mommy and daddy teaching them how to play the violin (which by the way...listening to someone learn the violin is simlar to what I imagine cats might sound like when they are dying.)
I'm not sure why I didn't think of it sooner...stick + guitar = his Heaven. I'd be lying if I said there isn't a small part of me that hopes he has a little bit of talent to combine with his passion for music. However, if not...that's ok too. At least he will be a little diverse with his instrumental knowledge, and can perhaps start a one man basement band of his own one day.

"Airpanes" and Nebraska!

My cousin, Drew, married an amazing girl (and an amazing family) this past weekend. Katie is from Nebraska which = roadtrip!! Note: our last “family trip” was in a RV that lasted about 32 hours round trip (Greenville, SC to Hot Springs, Arkansas) which included lots of sleeping, movie watching, hanging out, freedom to pee at any moment, snacking, games, internet, did I mention sleep? etc. Sounds a little like luxury when you consider the newest variable in this journey: my child. The entire Gourley Gang loaded up 10 bags, 6 adults, and 1 toddler to celebrate the union with Drew and Katie in Omaha, Nebraska. You’d think the adult/toddler ratio would have the adults coming out on top. After a wonderful weekend, with lots of love, happiness, and new memories with Drew, Katie, and the entire Berky family, I am humbly admitting that there is some crap that I just can’t control.

Drew and Bryan are like brothers to me, so in the planning of this trip I was hell-bent that my child would be well behaved enough for me to enjoy and celebrate this special day with my cousin (and yes, for all you “toddler parent veterans” I did explore/beg the option of boarding my child with his wonderful, Cookie…at which I was quickly dismissed). After a wonderful and humbling weekend I am here to admit that I have don’t have near as much control over situations as I thought. I’m also slowly realizing that it comes with the toddler territory??

Was my child Satan’s spawn? Absolutely not. Was he a toddler? Absolutely. Am I still proud of him? Without a doubt. He did the best he could, considering he had a double ear infection, had never flown before, changed time zones, and had been away from his consistent environment 5 days prior to the trip. Reflecting on it, I wish I would have relaxed more about how “well behaved” my 19 month old was. My family was wonderful, my sister-in-law was a life saver, brother was his usual “rock solid” and supportive self, husband was patient with me while I tried to make things as “in control” as possible. My lesson: JUST LET GO. There is no way I’ll ever be able to live up to unreasonable expectations (that are often set forth by myself) if I continue this annoying trend. I am going to miss a lot of wonderful/horrifying memories along the way that I may or may not want to miss.

I loved understanding love a little more this weekend. Drew and Katie’s new love, mine and Chap’s patient love, and my love for my little boy – unconditional and always!

Thank you, Drew and Katie, for including us in your amazing weekend! We had SO much fun celebrating your new beginning! Chap and I could see how much you loved each other and it truly made us remember the love we have for each other...even when patient is thin :)

Pictures are in no particular order. Evidently I am letting go of controling that also :)

At the rehearsal dinner - he might have had a medium sized meltdown because he couldn't see the choo-choo train that he witnessed as he was walking in. Trust me, there were many tactics tried...but none that could penetrate the "MY TRAIN" episode.

Semi-under-control at rehearsal dinner. Thank GOD for my Auntie Anne, her amazing prep work included Lightning McQueen who talked, and lit up. Sent straight from Heaven, I tell ya. This is the slope the ramp he found at the hotel. This is also the only time he actually "walked" down the ramp, holding the rail as instructed. If you noticed the door behind him, you might have also guessed that it does open and does knock down 1 1/2 year olds that like to play outside it.
Aunt Mandi, mommy's miracle :) She was so wonderful and probably worked just as hard as we did to make sure things went "smoothly". Thank you sista!!
The boys golf outing...wonder who the photographer was of the "thumbs up" picture?? :)

Visiting with Tutu -makes every second worth it. We love you, Tu, and can't WAIT to see you soon! YES! The airplane was just as exciting as I'd dreamed and hoped it would be for my little guy! He loved it...and literally chanted and sang the entire time. Our first night home he asked me after prayer, "Go airpane with Unc Norm again?" Yes, honey, you can probably go on an airplane with Uncle Norm again. And only Uncle Norm. ;)
Visiting the cockpit for the first time!
Layover in Chicago - 3 hours of airplanes, ice cream, distraction, and "cheers"!
I love this picture, and love my Tutu!!!
The Quartet + 1 played throughout the wedding dinner.
Thankfully, this crew didn't mind a little air piano via Winn. This was the moment I realized I needed to let it go. ;) Breakfast with Unc Norm, CHEERS!
Adventures around Omaha with Aunt Mandi. Not just a "walk in the park", I assure you of that :)
I love this boy so very much! And love my family for loving him as much as I do! Thank you all for being patient with us. We had a BLAST!!!