The Bunny vs. The Santa

My brother and I often talk about our “Best Christmas Ever”. It was when I was around 9 he was 5 and we lived in Collierville, Tennessee. My grandparents (Tutu and Shosho) came that Christmas and we ended up getting the new puppy that we’d been BEGGING for (Bandy, a shitzu) AND a new trampoline. We had some wonderful memories, which I’ll never forget!

Since becoming a mom I’ve always hoped and wondered how I could make my children’s holiday memories as special as that Christmas was for us. Last weekend, my parents, yet again, helped create a very happy Easter for our little boy…that quite possibly has taken the cake as my BEST Easter ever!

Even though he was sick with croup and a double ear infection (can you believe it…our child sick on a holiday?? ;) we managed to enjoy dying/coloring/stickering/hunting Easter eggs, playing with ALL our new toys like a big wheel, golf club (like a for real one), suite case, tickle-me-Elmo, regular Elmo, Easter baskets galore, and a new peach tree. I’m fairly certain this child is going to have a HUGE identity crisis with the Bunny and the Santa. While the pics are a little out of order, I'm sure you get the idea...

Gramps and Dad helping Winn find ALL the eggs (and only ONE piece of dog poo!)

Where's the bunny??

Playing "baseball" with his new golf club.

Hmmm...come here you little bunny, you've been too good to me!

Getting some pointers from Uncle Norm. I know, I know...he's better off getting pointers from the bunny.... ;) I told ya, I'm sick people!

The ice cream makes me feel soooo much better!!

My new rolly suitcase from Gigi (can't see this thing, but it's amazing. It's the Melissa and Doug suitcase that doubles as an animal kids can ride. Has a saddle bag and everything. Super cute, and multi-purposeful!)

Playing with my new big wheel...mostly the wheels.

Weeeeee!!! Lovin' that Uncle Norm!!!

That's about it...but here's a picture of my sweet boy and his Easter picture. He loved the bunnies...and their ears. I'd even venture to say, he might enjoy these guys a little more than Santa :)

Thanks again, Gigi & Gramps, Normie & Amanda, for making it a very special Easter weekend for us. I'm positive that we wouldn't have been able to provide that much fun and entertainment for our little love bunny here at the house. I'm not certain he'll remember how wonderful this holiday was, but I am certain that his mommy will!

Look at me, I'm on a BOAT!

Chap and I have lots of fond memories of growing up on/around lakes; fishing, skiing, swimming, camping, etc. So you can imagine the ants in our pants that we had trying to get Winn to experience his first boat trip! It was a success, I'd say, and we definitely have a wonderful Poppy to thank for it!

I love this picture, makes me so happy!
THIS might have been his fave. A steering wheel, some buttons to push, and some water to watch...what else does a little monkey need??
FIRST FISH!!!!!!!
SECOND FISH!!!!!!!!
THIRD FISH!!!!!!!! (which was the charm, so got some dance lessons from him too...he flopped around a while on the boat, which reminded Winn to share with him some of his fancy fish moves.)
DONE!
Thanks again, Poppy, for taking us out for Winn's first big boat experience. We couldn't have written it better and will always be a very special memory for all three of us.

Farm Fun!

I know, I know, I'm tardy as all get out...but I've promised myself and my family that I'd do a better job! A few weeks ago we took Winn to his first FARM! We had a BLAST, despite the cold rain. I'm pretty sure he smiled the entire time he was there. Makes my heart happy :)

Found some hay...loved the hay.

First pony ride, LOVED it. Laughed the entire time...with his hay of course.

Met up with his long lost friend, Mr. Moo Cow. They had some catchin' up to do and evidently felt like using their tongues to do it! Ahhhhhhhh!!! My little cowboy, had so much fun. It was amazing to watch him explore and get so excited to meet all the animals that we read about, mimmick, and act like on a daily basis. This child had NO fear in his heart. He is definitely a fan of all creatues...so far at least :)

Pre-School...the Band Aid Effect

I've watched several friends and family go through the emotions of sending their child to pre-school and I've frequently worried that this would be something that eventually sends me straight over the edge. I can never find enough time to enjoy this "baby" phase. Our situation, however, was comparable to the band-aid effect. Which might be a good thing?

Our sweet sitter had to have sudden surgery, leaving us little time to find a plan B for the duration of 4-6 weeks. After lots of searching/begging Winthrop students to take our children and nothing working out, we decided to contact the pre-school we were hoping to send him in the fall. Amazingly, they had a spot open in their toddler room. We got the callback on Friday, and started Monday. Leaving this emotional mom only 48 hours to stress/obsess about her baby not being such a baby anymore.

Winn is a good bit younger than the other kids in his group. He was still taking 2 very consistent naps, and in the comfort of a crib with sound machine, glow worm, blanket, etc. So you moms can imagine the transition to 1 nap, on a mat, with other children in the room. The first few weeks were hard. I won't sugar coat it. Winn came home for a while very tired, irritable, and frustrated. He was often sad, and super clingy to me making me seriously question our decision.

However, these last few days I'm seeing some light in our toddler tunnel and it makes me very hopeful! He didn't cry at drop off on Friday and happily showed me around his school when I picked him up. And the big, sweet kisses he greets me with is re-assurance that things might be on the up and up!

I couldn't be more grateful for the caring, loving teachers at School Days that have accepted my boy with open hearts and patient souls. Knowing he is happy, learning, growing and playing (hard!) makes me a better wife, teacher, and mom! Everything happens for a reason. I can't help but wonder if God knew the anticipation and summer's worth of anxiety might have been to much for this momma. Either way, I'll take the band-aid effect on this one.

Sitting outside my new "school". No more tears here!!

Working on my new skills :)

Who's daddy won't let him play with ovens??

First day, Valentine's treats for class. Teacher friends would be proud...not one piece of candy included in these puppies!

That's a proud boy right there. And I couldn't be a more proud momma!

Overdue!

Where have we been? Well let's see...

2 bouts with the flu, 1 encounter with strep, 4 new molars, 1 new pre-school, 1 Kindermusik celebration, 2 baby showers, 3 birthdays, and 1 transitioning little toddler = very little time to blog! And rather than writing a senseless novel, I've included our recent milestones in a QBL (quick bullet list)


Definite seperation anxiety going on. Makes doing anything very challenging...and heavy :)

Few new words, lots of new animal sounds

Loves "cookies" (a.k.a ritz crackers)

1 nap (though I'm not sure we're ready)

Pre-school (which will get its own post shortly)

Lots of singing into a microphone (fave is upside down umbrella)

Identify and bring items back to me

Less in love with milk, love affair with apple juice (to the point we need intervention.)

"Stuck Like Glue" fave song...sings the "uh-oh, uh-oh part spot on

Says "no" more times a day than I can count. He really lets ya know about it too. Not just one, but three "no, no, nooo's" is usually what we hear.

LOVES cars. Especially wheels. Sit and spins for hours!!

Is getting into trains. Loves to dance and sing to Thomas the Train.

Here are just a few sum up pictures. More to follow later

Snow Much Fun!

Last week we got to experience our first snow play with Winn. I'm pretty sure me and Chap were 10x more excited than he was. Upon hearing of the potential "blizzard" heading our way we made two trips; 1. Wal-Mart to purchase missing snow gear Winn would need in order to have a successful snow day. 2. Meet up with Chap's parents to get his dad's 4 wheeler so WE would have a successful snow day.

Well, the "snow day" turned into a snow week (we ended up with close to 8 inches!) and we had lots of fun playing in the snow, being lazy, and cuddling with our boy. It was a mini-stay-cation that was much needed!

He might have peed his pampers just a little bit when hearing Chap crank up the 4 wheeler.
No fear here! He had a BLAST riding with Chap around the yard.
Sweet boy. We'd put him down in the snow and show him how to play in it but he just stood in one place and smiled up at us. Didn't move his feet once.

One of these years we WILL purchase a proper sled. Till then, the wake-board will continue to be the next best thing.

Hi daddy!

Lots of fun memories made this week. I love being home with my boys knowing the weather is too bad for me to go anywhere. Makes me feel less guilty about being lazy and cuddling. I'm looking forward to many more snow dates with these two; and hope for a trip to the mountains to try Winn's ski legs soon. I'm hoping the skis will un-stick him from his stationary snow stance. :)

A little bit of B-O-Y!

Since I'm kind of missing the monthly 'Growing with Grover' updates, I figured I'd throw one out there just for the heck of it. And I'm kind of scared that if I don't make these notes and include pictures, I might forget all the fun things my little boy loves right now (the longer I'm a mom, the more I understand that the memory just isn't what it used to be...)

Some favorite things right now: swords and apple juice. And if you mix the two together, you have one happy little guy (a.k.a. a straw in a cup of juice/water) He can say 'apple juice' plain as day and I love that he is starting to communicate to me the things he needs (or wants). Makes being a mommy a little bit easier :)

TOUCHDOWN! The kid can spot a football a mile away. He'll throw his arms up and say "tchdn". I love it. I think we might have to view some old games during off season to keep him in the spirit!
BOOKS! He is really enjoying reading these days and initiates the process himself (going to get 5, 10, 15 books off the shelf and bringing them to us to read to him). I love this, probably a little more than I should :) His favorite books are anything with stars in them.

KISSES! Not for his momma, but for all his stuffed animals, blankets, pillow...basically anything but me. Not sure what that's all about? We love watching him pick up his toys and give them a sweet kiss and hug around the neck. He does this so often with most anything that is soft and it warms my heart instantly. Such a sweet boy. Let's hope it sticks.
And of course to balance out the sweetness comes the swords. Most anything that has some length to it is a sword these days: golf clubs, brushes, remote controls, eating utensils...he'll grab these "swords" and begin humming the Indiana Jones theme song (compliments of our baby-sitters son, Brian). We still haven't uncovered the purpose of swords and for that, I am grateful.

Buttons, of course. He loves them all. Remote controls, space heaters, telephones, and any other illegal baby object you can think of. If he can push it, he will. For hours.

A newfound passion; stirring. This began in the kitchen, like most stirring does. However, after a few weeks of using his own spoon and bowl to stir while mommy cooks, he took his show on the road, and into the bathroom. Nowadays his favorite 'bowl' to stir is in the bathroom. With the toilet brush as the spoon. FYI - I do not promote this, however, in attempt to capture my entire child, rules had to be broken.

Playing in the shower. Not sure what the big deal is with this, but when he gets in it; he dances around and squeals with delight. It's fairly entertaining.

Like most children, I presume, we've entered the "I want to be outside. All day. Every day. No matter how cold it is. Or how much snow is falling. I want to be outside" phase. This has actually caused mommy to be very creative with the car/house transitions and re-directing has become my new favorite game. Of course, he is pretty cute...so he does get his way a few times.

Swinging, obviously, is still one of our favorites!

Playing with outdoor "swords" and kicking the ball (or as he says, 'cock ball', which I am aware we need to work on).

He's finally able to pick up the ball and throw it a few inches to Brodey. Thankfuly, Brodey has been fairly patient with this 1 year old's new arm.

Spotting airplanes and 'ka ka's' (birds). He gets REALLY excited about both, even though we live about 10 miles from a small airport and we see about 10 airplanes a day.

And of course, calling his Gigi on the telephone. He does this every day. If he sees me on the phone, he'll go get his pretend phone and say 'Gigi, Gigi' over and over. They have great talks.

Things not photographed:

He likes to sing now. At night after we read and say prayers, and he KNOWS he's about to go night night, he'll start humming to me. I love this, and he knows it...he also knows it buys him a few more minutes of rocking :)

Goldfish.

Climbing up the stairs.

The Turners. He loves his baby-sitter and her husband and children. He gets so excited to go over there every morning.

Cats. And this isn't good, considering both his parents have a fairly aggressive hatred for cats. When he sees a cat, he meows instantly (this sounds more like a shrill cry...maybe he hates cats too??)

His stars and lovie. He gets so happy to see both when we put him in his crib. It warms my heart knowing he goes to sleep every night content.

I'm sure I'll come back and add a few things that he's doing right now. I just love watching him learn and grow every second of every day. I still wonder how I got so lucky to be his mom. Don't get me wrong, we definitely have our challenging moments. The communication barrier can be frustrating for both of us. However, when he does learn a new word, or way to ask for things, its amazing to see how proud he gets and how excited me and his daddy get. These moments are very special, and something I look forward to watching for the rest of my life!