Emory's First Meal

Emory had his first meal of rice cereal this evening and it was awesome.  Initially he wasnt quite sure what to think about this new method of feeding.  He opened his mouth when he saw the spoon coming, spit some out and swallowed the rest. After getting the hang of it, he leaned forward and opened his mouth wide again as if to say, "Yes Mommy! I like it. Feed me more!" He ate over 20 small bites with lots of enthusiasm.

It's been a only  few hours since his meal so I interested to see how his digestive system responds.  Our fingers are crossed he doesnt have any allergic reactions.  So he'll have rice cereal for two weeks then we'll introduce another new food. Veggies before fruits.  I'm sure he'll LOVE his veggies. 

Sitting Up

Last week (8/27) Emory sat up for well over a minute by himself.  He's managed to find his own method to stay upright. While I was practicing with him, I was pulling his legs out in to a wide V thinking it would be easier for him. But he's actually more comfortable with his legs straight in front of him with his knees just slightly bent. After a minute of sitting unassisted, he found leaning forward helped keep him from being so tottery.  Clever boy. 

Spent.

Anyone want a kid?

okay, we still love him and he can stay. :o)

Fun Friday, Part 2

We (Roy, Dondi, Deona and I) had a fun time at the Ranger's game this evening. The weather was perfect, our nose bleed seats were perfect and so were the nachos, pizza, barbecue sandwich, hotdog, lemon chills and cotton candy. :) A super duper bonus was getting to enjoy all that (plus watch the game :-D ) without a stroller, diaper bags and boys in tote.

Click on photo to zoom.

After the game, we were treated to a fabulous fireworks show. I think our nosebleed seats were the best in the house.
Thank you Grammy for watching our boys; as always I know they had lots of fun with you. Thank you Dondi and Roy for joining us this evening, we had a blast!

p.s. The Rangers won. :)

Fun Friday

Having a fun (and messy) day with the boys. Looking forward to the Ranger's game with Dondi & Roy this evening. Hooray for baseball! Hooray for ballpark nachos!! Hooray for an evening sans children!!!

Click on photo to zoom.

Too Cute Thursday

Gone, Gone, Gone.

The honeymoon is over. Gone are the nights when Ev respected bedtime. Gone are the nights when a sippy cup of milk and Pooh Bear were enough to pacify him right to sleep. Gone are the nights when I had patience. I miss it, a crap ton. I'm so tired of getting frustrated. I hate the drama, having to raise my voice, and then feeling so guilty afterwards. I'm finding it more and more difficult to find balance between enforcing rules, and fighting a battle just to fight it. Rewards and consequences are mediocre. I need something more powerful than that, like a sedation dart that they use on lions & elephants at the zoo.

I welcome your advice, books to read, the power of prayer for patience and understanding on my part. I need a bedtime intervention and possibly bottle of wine (& cheese + crackers, please).

Our latest routine: Ev goes to sleep in his own bed. He cries. He moans. He sniffles. He repeats. FOR AN HOUR. Seconds before I pull out my hair, I ask Ev if he would like to sleep in the big bed. He responds with the squeekiest and most pathetic, "uh huh". Within 10 minutes, Ev falls asleep. Starting out in the big bed only prolongs the bedtime ritual.

Frazzled

I'm frazzled.  I need lessons in becoming a better homemaker.   I need direction. 

In my search, I found this:  

Home Economics For Women In The 1950's - From a 1950's high school home economics textbook, teaching girls how to prepare for married life.

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time.
This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.  He has just been with a lot of work- weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes.  They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

6. Things to avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.

7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax

:o)  This is going to be tough.  * sigh*

Toni

Check out this blog. 

Our good friend Toni is no longer employed with Camp Fire / El Tesoro.  If you know Toni, I'm sure you would agree this is a terrible loss for everyone.

Toni's friends are throwing her a farewell reception in September. Spread the word.

Toy Discovery

Emory is really starting to enjoy his toys. This morning he spent an hour in his crib playing contently. Happy Boy.

New Stunt & Disobedience

Everett continues to press his luck; especially since he knows we do not approve. He's been asked NOT to climb on Emory's crib.

Looking around to see if it's "all clear".

Naughty Everett.

A diaper in serious need of a change.

"oops.  Hi Mommy"

Gymnastics perhaps?

A Great Find

I happend upon this fabulous webstite this morning, "I'm An Organized Junkie". Her blog entry features a Skooba cable stable.  Who knew these existed?  You'd understand my excitement if  if you saw me toting our "Skooba" version.

Skooba Cable Stable:

and here's our version:

Heinous Hair

A Beautiful Mess.

4 month check up

Emory had his 4 month check up today.


Emory looks so cute in this hand-me-down outfit. I'm so glad he can wear the matching shorts; Ev's waist was too small to wear them as a set. He outgrew the shirt when the shorts finally fit.

The appointment:So Doc walks in, with wide eyes and a dropped jaw and says, "what have you been feeding him?" :) She was suprised to read his weight and length from Emory's chart.

Today Emory was:

20 pounds

She indictated the curve exceeded past 100 and appeared to sit at 110% on the chart.

27 1/4" length
She indicated the curve exceeded past 100 and appeared to sit at 105% on the chart.

After an exam Doc confirmed Emory sounded and looked great. She found no concern for his size, the amount he eats, or the cold he's had for the past two days. She advised we continue doing what we're doing to nurse him back to health.

Also at this appointment Emory received 3 vaccinations for Polio, Diptheria/Tetanus &Pertussis and Hib (2 sticks & 1 oral). Poor Love cried, but just for a couple of seconds.

Perhaps you were right Aunt Tammy, the name "Magnus" might have been more suitable. :o)

OH and just for fun I looked back at Everett's 4 month post, Ev weighed 16.7 pounds & 27".  In fact, Emory is the same size now that Ev was at 8 months old.

"Most" includes Emory

Recently I read "most babies catch their first cold at 4 months old".  I'm sad to report "most" included Emory this time around. Praise Be! - for the already scheduled  (4 month) doctor's appointment tomorrow (Friday).

Emory finds relief sitting up in his swing, a dose of Tylenol, Vick's Baby Rub and a good 'ol fashion nose sucking.

Blog Makeover

You may (or may not) have noticed our blog has a new layout.  The new layout was prompted to include Emory's monthly pics, along side big brother Everett's (bottom right).

End of Summer Blues

Dear Everett and Emory,

It is a wonderful thing being able to stay home during the summers and spend so much time with you. Many parents don’t ever get that luxury. It is bittersweet however because it also means going back to work and having to leave you again after getting used to having all that time, which to me means missing some of the cutest, funniest, and most important milestones in your lives. But at least you have a Mommy who stays home and sends me wonderful updates throughout the day about the things you are doing and saying. You grow up so fast, so just as a reminder to me and a fun insight for you later in life, here are some things you are both doing during the days right now that make me smile and laugh, that I will miss terribly while at work, and that I know by next summer will probably not be happening.


Everett, I love:
How you say your vowels (like Eliza Doolittle or Nell) “aaiiieee” “iieeii’’
How you chase the cat yelling “KAPOW! KAPOW!”
How you dance with your fist in your armpit and elbow up. (see post ‘Fancy Footwork’ in July for a visual)
How you say “OH WOW!” when a movie starts or you see something exciting.
How you try to wake us up when we pretend to be asleep by hitting us or yourself and saying “AH!”
How you say “Heyoh Ma” (Hello Mama) when you see me for the first time each day
How you try to change the subject by naming face parts when you are in trouble for something.


Emory, I love:
How your eyes get really big and you hit your tummy out of excitement when we talk to you.
How your stick out your bottom lip right before you are about to cry when something startles you. (see post ‘Who you callin’ sensitive?’ in June for a visual)
How you try to talk with a pacifier in your mouth.
How you take a big breath like you’re going to yawn but then you say a big “Ahhhh yewww”

Everett & Emory are sporting Limited Edition Huggies Jeans Diapers. Thanks Sandy Elliott!   :)   

Just For Fun - What Color Will Emory's Eyes Be?

Steel gray? Dark blue? Hazel? Blue with brown specks?
We discuss this topic fairly regulary, not because it matters but because it's fun to imagine.

They are shifty, glistening little marbles that seem to look different depending on the light and his clothing.

So what do you think?  Here are three things to consider, which may or may not help you determine your answer:

• Deona's eyes are brown
• My eyes are hazel.  :o) okay, okay, the donor's eyes are hazel as well. 
• Below are pictures of our boys at 4 months old; Ev is on the left and Emory on the right.

So... tell me... what color do you think Emory's eyes will turn out to be?   Let me know in this little poll.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. -Matthew 6:22

Overdue & Balancing Life

It's been, oh about 12 weeks since Everett's birthday parties and about 6 weeks since we've had "thank you" cards waiting to be personalized, addressed, stamped and mailed.  We've had great intentions but have not moved any closer to getting them mailed.  So instead of procrastinating any longer, I have decided to make a "thank you" post this year. 

The same holds true for Emory's Thank You cards.   I can't even discuss how long overdue we are. *sigh*

Thank you for your ear and for your support while we flounder and continue to work on balancing life.

Laptop Lunches/Bento Box System for the New School Year

Thought this was good information to pass on; especially this time of year.  This is for anyone who takes their lunch to school/work, to consider.  

"Most school-aged children who bring lunches carry them in disposable brown bags and plastic baggies. Each of these children will generate 67 pounds of waste by the end of the school year. That's 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for an average-sized school! With a reusable lunch kit like the Laptop Lunches Bento Box System, you'll be doing your part to prevent unnecessary waste and pollution.

Between 1960 and 2007 the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.6 pounds per day. The most effective way to stop this trend is by preventing waste in the first place. -www.lunchville.com"

I absolutely love this concept and am looking forward to using these for our family. 

Check out these sites for ideas and product information: 

http://www.anotherlunch.com/

http://www.lunchville.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=1020

http://www.lunchbots.com/

http://www.laptoplunches.com/

http://wendolonia.com/blog/category/bentos/

:o)

We're having so much fun with little E. :o)

Fun Craft - Alligator A!

Today, Everett made an alligator out of the letter "A".  Ev loves the letter so he was extremely proud of his work.

The idea came from No Time for Flashcards This is a great crafty blog for toddlers. I love doing crafts and am so glad Everett does too.

Note: I recognize today is not Wednesday (my regular blog posting day), however, today is Deona's first day back in school and think these temporary extra posts just might help her through the day. xoxo  :o)

Friday the 13th - how appropriate. :(

Grampy's lil' Longhorns

I had hoped to have another month before taking Emory's pic in his UT onesie, however I'm not sure he will fit into it by UT's game opener. :)  

Everett's picture was taken on 10/11/08 and Emory's was taken today (8/11/10).  These onesies were purchased as a set, back when Ev was little bitty.  As you can see Emory is already quite heftier than Ev was at 5 months.  :) 

A Whale of A Time!

This year's summer vacation was to SeaWorld in San Antonio.  We weren't sure what to expect or how much Everett would like it,  but we knew they had a nice water park.  We use to take annual beach trips with Debbie/Mom/Grammy,  but it's been a long while (since before Everett was born).  We were thrilled Grammy agreed to give this trip a try with us.
I'm happy to report WE HAD A BLAST; a perfect vacation for our family.  We did and saw so much, but the highlight for me was watching Everett's face light up, whether it was watching Shamu swim by, feeding dolphins, playing in the wave pool, seeing Elmo at the Sesame Street character lunch or visiting the coral reef & shark exhibit.  I never imagined how much joy I would get from this entire experience.

Thank  you Debbie/Mom/Grammy for a wonderful time, the memories and especially for your generosity; it truly means so much to us.  

DAY ONE: Watched Believe, Shamu Rocks & Azul & sat in "Slash Zones", ate at Voyager's Cafe and Mango Joe's, rode Shamu Express, cooled off at Shamu's Happy Harbor, visited dolphins, saw ourselves on bigscreen at Shamu Rocks :) 

DAY TWO: Saw and fed sealions ($5 for four small fish), played on playscape, rode egg ferris wheel, went to Sesame Street character lunch,  hung out at Lost Lagoon the rest of the day: set up in our private cabana, floated the lazy river, saw Shamu's Beach Party at the Castaway Cafe, played in waves in the wave pool, ate at SeaFire Grill, souvenir shopping - Grammy and Ev bought stuffed Shamu.

DAY THREE: Fed the dolphins ($6 for four small fish), visited the coral reef & shark exhibit, ate ice cream at Polar Parlor, cooled off at Shamu's Happy Harbor, watched SeaLions "Tonite"show  & sat in "Splash Zone", took photos in front of the SeaWorld sign.

Parking Reciept: $25/day for preferred parking.  Ouch.

2 short videos:

2nd video - Everett's very first coaster ride.  Though you can't really see us, Ev & I are seated in the very back row.

CLICK photo (below) to enlarge:

Shoosh - Everett's New Love

In addition to loving Thomas & friends, Ev LOVES shoosh! (fish) Recently Everett discovered Finding Nemo and since then has really taken to all varieties. Lucky for us SeaWorld was planned before he found Nemo, which ultimately ended up being the perfect vacation for us.

Plastic souvenir fish and stuffed Shamu from SeaWorld. THANKS GRAMMY!