Well, being pregnant when already having a 2-year-old is different. The second time around is always different, I guess. When I was pregnant with Patton I wrote down tons of memories of my pregnancy and took more belly pictures than anyone really needs to. I've only taken 2 this time around. It's not that I'm not excited about this pregnancy, I guess I just realized that I don't have to make a big fuss about every single week's bump picture or what the books and websites tell me I should be feeling. Some of the excitement I guess is gone because I've been here before, but that doesn't mean I don't cherish it. So, below are some of the things that have stuck out in my mind lately about this pregnancy...things that can eventually be put in Jack's baby book.
Ultrasound - November 2nd, 2012:
We found out that Baby Lewis is a boy! Patton called it first! His name will be Jackson Thomas Lewis, but we will call him Jack. He moved and gave us quite a show at the ultrasound. He looks a lot like Patton as far as we can tell. He was healthy and estimated to weigh 1 lb. Thanks be to God!
Kicks, Punches, Karate, Flips, etc:
Jack is definitely a mover and a shaker! His kicks make my whole body jump sometimes. Patton was a mover too, but Patton seemed to be in my rib cage more than Jack is (so far!). Jack doesn't really get the hiccups like Patton did either. But when he starts moving, he's moving for a while! He rolls and turns, bends, and practically jumps sometimes. You can actually see him moving from across the room! It's amazing and a blessing!
Cravings:
Due to acid reflux, I've drank more milk during pregnancy than my husband could probably drink in 5 years. We go through 2-3 gallons of milk a week, and 80% of that consumption is all mine. The past 2 weeks I have been craving root beer...badly! Every time we go grab lunch or when I go to the store, I'm getting root beer. I'm also on a Frosted Flakes kick. It's never been a favorite of mine, but lately I have been having bowl after bowl for breakfast (and sometimes for other meals and snacks).
Coincidence:
I turned 28 weeks pregnant on December 28th, which happened to be my 28th birthday. A little ironic! I actually made Josh take a bump picture that day :)
Jack's Nursery:
We are reusing all of Patton's nursery decor, furniture, and clothes. Pop and DebO came to visit on Saturday, January 5th to help us out. Pop got all of the baby items down from the attic, DebO played with Patton, and I went through box after box to decide what to wash, what to put back in the attic, what to store in the closet, etc. Now the baby clothes, blankets, burp cloths, towels, washcloths, sheets, etc. are all washed and ready! The crib is made and ready! The closet is now organized (mostly). The curtains and sheers for the windows are in progress. Josh has almost finished Jack's name sign that will go above his bed. As soon as the weather dries out, Josh will put the white paint on the frame and finish it up.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
More Baby Book Entries for Patton
Well, since my last post, we have found out that Baby Lewis is indeed a boy! So now his name is Baby Jack...Jackson Thomas Lewis to completely accurate.
Patton has made this pregnancy so entertaining. It seems we can't look at this pregnancy without seeing it through his eyes at times. He has been so excited about getting a baby brother, so here are a few of the memorable moments that HAVE to be documented.
November 2nd, 2012 - We had our 20-week ultrasound, and we took Patton with us. Before the ultrasound tech called us out of the waiting room, we asked Patton to give us his last guess, "Boy or girl." He said, "It a boy, Jackson Thomas." The words sound simple enough, but if only you could have heard the incredulous way he said them, like we were silly for asking, of course it was a boy. Not only did he say it was a boy but he remembered the name we had told him a week before. He couldn't remember the girl name, but then again I guess in his mind that name didn't need to be remembered since obviously he was getting a baby brother. Well, he was right of course! He called it before anyone else did. When we had the ultrasound and officially found out it was a boy, we asked Patton what he was going to do with a baby brother. He said, "We play ball together." Melts my heart!
Thanksgiving Week 2012 - First Long Stay Away From Home
Pregnancy hormones can be blamed for my blubbering the whole week before Patton left to visit my parents for 5 days, right? I was a crying fool! Patton had a wonderful time though visiting with all my family while Josh and I chaperoned the youth retreat that weekend. He went to an Alabama football game with my dad (his second game in the sky box). He ate fruit, popcorn, and hot dogs, and he loved the band and Big "Pal" as he calls him. He got to play with Luke at mom's house, and he went to the park with Aunt Ashley. When I finally arrived at mom's house for Thanksgiving, he was so happy to see me, and I was moved to tears by that sweet hug. He informed me that "Baby Jack" was "Jackaroo," because Papa T told him "Patton Poo and Jackaroo." He told everyone the baby's name was Jackaroo. He loved seeing Baby Amelia and holding her, he fell asleep right before we all ate dinner, and he loved playing trains with Luke.
Christmas Tree 2012
Patton loves Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, all of it. Josh and I put the Christmas tree up when Patton took his nap Sunday after church. We only put the star on, and then we woke him up to come see it. He said, "Oh wow, my Christmas tree!" He was amazed. We told him Santa must have come put it up for him, and he was looking everywhere for Santa. He loved the star on top and he sort of helped us decorate the rest of the tree :). He was sad when I took it down after Christmas. I took the ornaments off while he was at school on a Friday. He came home and didn't notice it for an hour or so, and then he asked me where it went. I told him I had to pack them up. When Josh got home that night, Patton opened up the sunroom, pointed at the bare tree, and said, "Daddy, look." Josh said, "What happened?" Patton replied, "My mama did it." I made sure to include Daddy in taking down the tree, just to share the blame.
December 19th, 2012 - Church Christmas Program
This doesn't have anything to do with Baby Jack, but Patton and I were shepherds in the church Christmas program. He was adorable with his little roller skate sheep (a "sheep" made out of a roller skate, poster board, cotton balls, and a pull string). He loved pulling it up and down the aisle. I asked him what his sheep's name was. He said, "Patton." He and Lawson (who named his sheep "Bear") were so cute pulling their sheep. Patton cried throughout most of the program, but maybe next year we will get past the tears...at least he enjoyed the sheep.
Christmas in Birmingham 2012
Patton loved opening gifts this year. His first Christmas celebration was at Papa T & Nona's house. He was blown away by all the Alabama gear he got. He got an Alabama jersey, so he stripped down to his diaper and put it on right in the middle of opening gifts. He also got a red Schwinn tricycle (same color and brand as my dad's bike), and we had to follow clues to find it. Dad had made clues with Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates) on them. It was so precious! He rode that bike until he was too tired to ride anymore...their poor baseboards. Patton's second Christmas celebration was at Nannie and Poppy's house. He got some pirate gear, an easel, fireman rainboots, and movies. The sweetest part was how he reacted to gifts we received for Baby Jack. Patton would help me open them and then have to show off what Baby Jack got..."Look, Baby Jack got new PJs. How cute!" He also loved for other people to open gifts. He would either help them unwrap their gifts or stand there and watch saying, "It's a, it's a, it's a...sweater!" He was excited about every gift that was opened.
Christmas at Home 2012
Patton was practically the assistant sound guy during the Christmas Eve service. He loved putting the headphones on as Josh worked the sound board. He loved the candles at the end of the service. He got Mickey Mouse slippers that night, so he was happy with the one gift we let him open on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning he woke up and came to our bedroom, and he was completely oblivious to it being Christmas. He cuddled inbetween us until Josh said, "Mama, I thought I heard some reindeer last night. I wonder if Santa came to see us." To which I replied, "I thought I heard some sleigh bells." Patton was quiet and then whispered, "I heard bells too." Josh asked him if he thought Santa came and brought him some toys. That got him out of the bed and down to the living room. He was amazed by the empty milk glass and half-eaten cookie. He was thrilled with the candy canes and gloves at the top of his stocking, and then when we opened the sunroom he was just elated when he saw his Spiderman bike! He moved everything else out of the way so he could get to that bike! He rode it in the living room for a bit, then came back to the sunroom to see everything else. He loved his Alabama bean bag chair and drum set, his Lightning McQueen car, his soccer ball, his baseball glove, everything. He even got a book from Baby Jack about being a big brother, and he thought it was so cool that Baby Jack got him a gift! Josh read the book to him, and he loved it. After presents, we ate cinnamon rolls and sausage balls for breakfast. Patton said, "I want Santa to come to my house." Josh and I explained that Santa was busy delivering gifts to children all over the world. Josh said, "Why do you want him to come back to your house?" Patton said, "So I can tell him thank you." Sweetest boy ever!
Christmas in Butler 2012
We traveled to Butler during a break in the rainy weather on Christmas Day. We had steaks and ate until we were all miserable. Patton was so excited to open gifts and help everyone else open their gifts as well. He made everyone laugh as he would pull one piece of wrapping paper off at a time and then have to put it in the trash bag before removing more. He was the slowest unwrapper ever, but it was so cute. He became the trash collector, cleaning up all the messes of wrapping and bows. He loved his monster trucks that his aunts and uncles gave him. He was excited about the tool work bench he got too. The weather started getting bad towards the end of our unwrapping, so we all started rushing and then headed over to Katie and Patrick's house to spend an hour in the basement. All the women and children were downstairs in the basement while the men kept watching the weather channel. The storms passed us and we all returned to Pop and DebO's house for dessert and playtime. Patton enjoyed playing with all the baby toys Luke and Anna Whitley received. He loved playing with his cousins and holding them too.
Baby in His Belly - January 2013
Patton informed me the other morning while we were watching cartoons (and not talking about Baby Jack at all) that he has a baby in his tummy too. I asked him, "Well, what is your baby's name?" He told me, "Baby Luke. You want to feel him kick?" So he proceeded to pull his shirt out and put my hand on his tummy. He sucked in his stomach and then puffed it out really quick. He said, "He kicked you!" He then had to let Josh feel it and anyone else at church on Sunday that would feel his tummy. He will still come up to me, especially after I have asked him to feel my belly when Jack is moving, and I have to feel his "baby" kick me too.
Fireman Patton - January 11, 2013
Patton wore his fireman raincoat to school this morning, and when I told him the raincoat said "Fire Chief," he was certain that he was now a fire chief. The whole drive to school he "called" the police on his cell phone and told them to get out of the way because he was on his way to a fire. When we arrived at the church, he rushed into Sheila's office and said, "Fire Chief to the rescue!" He told her that he puts out fires and puts out cones (to keep people away from the fires). He pretended to put out a fire with an imaginary hose, and Sheila thanked him for putting out the fire. He said, "Just doing my job." Where does he learn this stuff? Now that is his saying whenever you tell him he did a good job (like cleaning up toys). Just doing my job!
Baby Jesus - January 13, 2013
The nursery Sunday School lesson that morning was about John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. I showed Patton and Gage a picture of John and Jesus in the river and asked them to tell me what they saw. Patton thought they were in a pool. Gage noticed that he had hair like John the Baptist. When I mentioned that the men in the picture were John and Jesus, they gave me funny looks. We had last talked about Baby Jesus during Christmas, so I explained to them that Baby Jesus grew up and this was him in the story. Patton said, "Oh, I'll go get him for you." He went to the toy bins and found the baby doll that had been used by them during Christmas as Baby Jesus. He said, "Here he is!" So "Baby Jesus" joined us as we learned about John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. Patton still remembered who our story was about the following day, "John and Jesus," he said, "in the river."
Patton has made this pregnancy so entertaining. It seems we can't look at this pregnancy without seeing it through his eyes at times. He has been so excited about getting a baby brother, so here are a few of the memorable moments that HAVE to be documented.
November 2nd, 2012 - We had our 20-week ultrasound, and we took Patton with us. Before the ultrasound tech called us out of the waiting room, we asked Patton to give us his last guess, "Boy or girl." He said, "It a boy, Jackson Thomas." The words sound simple enough, but if only you could have heard the incredulous way he said them, like we were silly for asking, of course it was a boy. Not only did he say it was a boy but he remembered the name we had told him a week before. He couldn't remember the girl name, but then again I guess in his mind that name didn't need to be remembered since obviously he was getting a baby brother. Well, he was right of course! He called it before anyone else did. When we had the ultrasound and officially found out it was a boy, we asked Patton what he was going to do with a baby brother. He said, "We play ball together." Melts my heart!
Thanksgiving Week 2012 - First Long Stay Away From Home
Pregnancy hormones can be blamed for my blubbering the whole week before Patton left to visit my parents for 5 days, right? I was a crying fool! Patton had a wonderful time though visiting with all my family while Josh and I chaperoned the youth retreat that weekend. He went to an Alabama football game with my dad (his second game in the sky box). He ate fruit, popcorn, and hot dogs, and he loved the band and Big "Pal" as he calls him. He got to play with Luke at mom's house, and he went to the park with Aunt Ashley. When I finally arrived at mom's house for Thanksgiving, he was so happy to see me, and I was moved to tears by that sweet hug. He informed me that "Baby Jack" was "Jackaroo," because Papa T told him "Patton Poo and Jackaroo." He told everyone the baby's name was Jackaroo. He loved seeing Baby Amelia and holding her, he fell asleep right before we all ate dinner, and he loved playing trains with Luke.
Christmas Tree 2012
Patton loves Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, all of it. Josh and I put the Christmas tree up when Patton took his nap Sunday after church. We only put the star on, and then we woke him up to come see it. He said, "Oh wow, my Christmas tree!" He was amazed. We told him Santa must have come put it up for him, and he was looking everywhere for Santa. He loved the star on top and he sort of helped us decorate the rest of the tree :). He was sad when I took it down after Christmas. I took the ornaments off while he was at school on a Friday. He came home and didn't notice it for an hour or so, and then he asked me where it went. I told him I had to pack them up. When Josh got home that night, Patton opened up the sunroom, pointed at the bare tree, and said, "Daddy, look." Josh said, "What happened?" Patton replied, "My mama did it." I made sure to include Daddy in taking down the tree, just to share the blame.
December 19th, 2012 - Church Christmas Program
This doesn't have anything to do with Baby Jack, but Patton and I were shepherds in the church Christmas program. He was adorable with his little roller skate sheep (a "sheep" made out of a roller skate, poster board, cotton balls, and a pull string). He loved pulling it up and down the aisle. I asked him what his sheep's name was. He said, "Patton." He and Lawson (who named his sheep "Bear") were so cute pulling their sheep. Patton cried throughout most of the program, but maybe next year we will get past the tears...at least he enjoyed the sheep.
Christmas in Birmingham 2012
Patton loved opening gifts this year. His first Christmas celebration was at Papa T & Nona's house. He was blown away by all the Alabama gear he got. He got an Alabama jersey, so he stripped down to his diaper and put it on right in the middle of opening gifts. He also got a red Schwinn tricycle (same color and brand as my dad's bike), and we had to follow clues to find it. Dad had made clues with Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates) on them. It was so precious! He rode that bike until he was too tired to ride anymore...their poor baseboards. Patton's second Christmas celebration was at Nannie and Poppy's house. He got some pirate gear, an easel, fireman rainboots, and movies. The sweetest part was how he reacted to gifts we received for Baby Jack. Patton would help me open them and then have to show off what Baby Jack got..."Look, Baby Jack got new PJs. How cute!" He also loved for other people to open gifts. He would either help them unwrap their gifts or stand there and watch saying, "It's a, it's a, it's a...sweater!" He was excited about every gift that was opened.
Christmas at Home 2012
Patton was practically the assistant sound guy during the Christmas Eve service. He loved putting the headphones on as Josh worked the sound board. He loved the candles at the end of the service. He got Mickey Mouse slippers that night, so he was happy with the one gift we let him open on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning he woke up and came to our bedroom, and he was completely oblivious to it being Christmas. He cuddled inbetween us until Josh said, "Mama, I thought I heard some reindeer last night. I wonder if Santa came to see us." To which I replied, "I thought I heard some sleigh bells." Patton was quiet and then whispered, "I heard bells too." Josh asked him if he thought Santa came and brought him some toys. That got him out of the bed and down to the living room. He was amazed by the empty milk glass and half-eaten cookie. He was thrilled with the candy canes and gloves at the top of his stocking, and then when we opened the sunroom he was just elated when he saw his Spiderman bike! He moved everything else out of the way so he could get to that bike! He rode it in the living room for a bit, then came back to the sunroom to see everything else. He loved his Alabama bean bag chair and drum set, his Lightning McQueen car, his soccer ball, his baseball glove, everything. He even got a book from Baby Jack about being a big brother, and he thought it was so cool that Baby Jack got him a gift! Josh read the book to him, and he loved it. After presents, we ate cinnamon rolls and sausage balls for breakfast. Patton said, "I want Santa to come to my house." Josh and I explained that Santa was busy delivering gifts to children all over the world. Josh said, "Why do you want him to come back to your house?" Patton said, "So I can tell him thank you." Sweetest boy ever!
Christmas in Butler 2012
We traveled to Butler during a break in the rainy weather on Christmas Day. We had steaks and ate until we were all miserable. Patton was so excited to open gifts and help everyone else open their gifts as well. He made everyone laugh as he would pull one piece of wrapping paper off at a time and then have to put it in the trash bag before removing more. He was the slowest unwrapper ever, but it was so cute. He became the trash collector, cleaning up all the messes of wrapping and bows. He loved his monster trucks that his aunts and uncles gave him. He was excited about the tool work bench he got too. The weather started getting bad towards the end of our unwrapping, so we all started rushing and then headed over to Katie and Patrick's house to spend an hour in the basement. All the women and children were downstairs in the basement while the men kept watching the weather channel. The storms passed us and we all returned to Pop and DebO's house for dessert and playtime. Patton enjoyed playing with all the baby toys Luke and Anna Whitley received. He loved playing with his cousins and holding them too.
Baby in His Belly - January 2013
Patton informed me the other morning while we were watching cartoons (and not talking about Baby Jack at all) that he has a baby in his tummy too. I asked him, "Well, what is your baby's name?" He told me, "Baby Luke. You want to feel him kick?" So he proceeded to pull his shirt out and put my hand on his tummy. He sucked in his stomach and then puffed it out really quick. He said, "He kicked you!" He then had to let Josh feel it and anyone else at church on Sunday that would feel his tummy. He will still come up to me, especially after I have asked him to feel my belly when Jack is moving, and I have to feel his "baby" kick me too.
Fireman Patton - January 11, 2013
Patton wore his fireman raincoat to school this morning, and when I told him the raincoat said "Fire Chief," he was certain that he was now a fire chief. The whole drive to school he "called" the police on his cell phone and told them to get out of the way because he was on his way to a fire. When we arrived at the church, he rushed into Sheila's office and said, "Fire Chief to the rescue!" He told her that he puts out fires and puts out cones (to keep people away from the fires). He pretended to put out a fire with an imaginary hose, and Sheila thanked him for putting out the fire. He said, "Just doing my job." Where does he learn this stuff? Now that is his saying whenever you tell him he did a good job (like cleaning up toys). Just doing my job!
Baby Jesus - January 13, 2013
The nursery Sunday School lesson that morning was about John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. I showed Patton and Gage a picture of John and Jesus in the river and asked them to tell me what they saw. Patton thought they were in a pool. Gage noticed that he had hair like John the Baptist. When I mentioned that the men in the picture were John and Jesus, they gave me funny looks. We had last talked about Baby Jesus during Christmas, so I explained to them that Baby Jesus grew up and this was him in the story. Patton said, "Oh, I'll go get him for you." He went to the toy bins and found the baby doll that had been used by them during Christmas as Baby Jesus. He said, "Here he is!" So "Baby Jesus" joined us as we learned about John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. Patton still remembered who our story was about the following day, "John and Jesus," he said, "in the river."
Monday, August 27, 2012
Things I Should Put in the Baby Book
As a mom of a 2 year old, there just never seems to be enough time to drag out the baby book and write down the funny, cute, amazing, smart things Patton does every day. Believe it or not, I'm actually busy doing more important things, like, I don't know, chasing a 2 year old around all day when I'm not at work ;) Anyway, since I don't have time to actually write it down in the baby book, it might be easier if I start typing it here...I type much faster than I can write, plus I would completely smear everything due to being left-handed. So here we go, here are some things that need to be remembered (so that I can totally embarass Patton in 14 years when he brings a girl over to the house):
Olympics 2012 - First Impressions: Patton LOVED the Olympics! We watched the qualifying round for individual women's gymnastics first. Patton was mesmerized by the girls doing the vault. He noticed the pattern: they would run, flip, and then hug their friends. He had to do the EXACT same thing! He said, "I fwip too, Mama!" He would run around the living room, get on his hands and knees and flip, and then he would come hug me. Then he would repeat. He did enough "Patton-version" vaults to make me dizzy! Later that night, he saw the U.S. men's swimming team preparing for a relay race. They all took their shirts off by grabbing the collar and pulling it over their heads. In our house, we pull by the bottom hem, so this was a new technique for him. He had to be just like them. "I in the Owympics too, Mama!" he said, as he did his best to pull his shirt collar over his head. His arms got stuck in the shirt behind his back, but we helped him so he could be in the "Owympics" too. That night, Josh was getting him dressed for bed. He protested putting a t-shirt on. "I in the Owympics. I swim." We finally convinced him that he could swim in the Olympics tomorrow, but he needed to be a Patton in his bed tonight.
Olympics 2012 - Gabby: Patton loved cheering for the U.S. women's gymnastics team. He would cheer with me, "Go U.S.A.!" and "Go Gabby!" He really liked Gabby (who won the women's individual all-around gold medal). Last night (more than 2 weeks after the Olympics), he saw a commercial about Olympic highlights, and as soon as she was on the screen, he said, "Go Gabby!" It's so cute!
Olympics 2012 - Swimming and Diving: Patton loved watching the swimming and diving competitions. He wanted to be just like the Olympians. He would "dive" off the couch, and even told me during a torrential thunderstorm that he wanted to be dive at our neighbor's pool, so he could be in the "Owympics." Later in the week, we did go swimming at the neighbor's pool, and he would jump ("dive") into the pool and say, "I in the Owympics!!"
Olympics 2012 - Lasting Impression: On Sunday, August 19th, Patton swam! He had floaties on, so I guess it doesn't "technically" count, but for a 2-year-old to be able to swim across a pool without any help from adults is just awesome to me! He has always been one to need to hold on to me when we swim or one who doesn't really kick. That day he did it by himself, and the Olympics were his motivation. He would jump ("dive") in and then swim back to the steps to get out and do it again. "I swimming like the Owympics! I in the Owympics!" he would shout. It was precious, and such a milestone. I guess we can hang another medal around Michael Phelps neck for that one :)
Baby Lewis - Finding Out: Patton is going to be a big brother! On July 10th, 2012, we found out we are expecting another baby (due March 2013). Josh and I didn't really know how to tell Patton, but we couldn't keep it from him. We told him there is a baby in mommy's tummy. He said it was a boy. For the rest of the day, he told me it was Baby Luke (his newborn cousin), Baby Mickey (as in Mickey Mouse), and baby boy. We came up with "Baby Lewis" as a name for now.
Baby Lewis - Ultrasound: We took Patton with us to our first ultrasound on August 1st. We couldn't see much, since I was only about 7 weeks pregnant, but that didn't bother Patton. The ultrasound tech was so sweet, and she made sure to explain what she was doing to Patton. "I'm going to put this lotion on mommy's tummy so I can tickle her belly and see your baby brother or baby sister." He loved it! When we were done, the tech handed me the pictures, and I handed them to Patton. He took them and showed them to the tech. He said, "That picture of my baby brudder." He had to hold the pictures all the way to the car, and he showed them to the nice lady in the elevator as we left. He had to show them to Sheila in the church office. "That my baby brudder," he'd say. Gosh, I love that boy!
Baby Lewis - Exhaustion: The first trimester of a pregnancy is always the worst of the 3. You feel yucky, ugly, hormonal, tired, and so much more but you don't look pregnant...so people just think you are one crazy, lazy, psycho lady...until they find out you are indeed pregnant. Anyway, I have felt yucky and tired, and trying to explain that to a 2 year old is, well, difficult. I don't want him to blame Baby Lewis for making me feel bad, so I just tell him, "Mommy doesn't feel good." His reply is always, "I not feel good eider." And then he runs off to play. Man, I wish I could feel that good when I "not feel good eider."
Music - The Harmonica: Patton was given a harmonica when we visited my grandparents in mid-July 2012. He loves that harmonica. He can't play a song, but he can keep a beat. He loves to play it in the car as we drive to school, but he's a little shy when asked to play it for anyone besides Josh and me.
Music - The Church Piano: Last Thursday, August 23rd, Patton got to play on the church piano as I finished some work around the church (which I didn't think of until after I had signed him out at daycare). He played for a bit before we left, and our music director came out of his office as we were leaving. He asked if Patton had been playing the piano. I thought it had bothered him, so I tried to apologize. But he was actually really impressed. He said, "He was playing single notes. He was playing a melody. Wait, how old is he?" I told him that Patton is 2 and a half and that he loves music, he's always playing something. He said, "That's really advanced for his age. Patton, maybe you should take piano lessons with me." I don't know if Patton is ready for that, but if he is a music genius some day, we can say our music director discovered him when he was only 2 :)
Well, let's wrap it up for today. Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to impact us in the next 2 days, so I'm sure I'll have some memorable events to add later.
Olympics 2012 - First Impressions: Patton LOVED the Olympics! We watched the qualifying round for individual women's gymnastics first. Patton was mesmerized by the girls doing the vault. He noticed the pattern: they would run, flip, and then hug their friends. He had to do the EXACT same thing! He said, "I fwip too, Mama!" He would run around the living room, get on his hands and knees and flip, and then he would come hug me. Then he would repeat. He did enough "Patton-version" vaults to make me dizzy! Later that night, he saw the U.S. men's swimming team preparing for a relay race. They all took their shirts off by grabbing the collar and pulling it over their heads. In our house, we pull by the bottom hem, so this was a new technique for him. He had to be just like them. "I in the Owympics too, Mama!" he said, as he did his best to pull his shirt collar over his head. His arms got stuck in the shirt behind his back, but we helped him so he could be in the "Owympics" too. That night, Josh was getting him dressed for bed. He protested putting a t-shirt on. "I in the Owympics. I swim." We finally convinced him that he could swim in the Olympics tomorrow, but he needed to be a Patton in his bed tonight.
Olympics 2012 - Gabby: Patton loved cheering for the U.S. women's gymnastics team. He would cheer with me, "Go U.S.A.!" and "Go Gabby!" He really liked Gabby (who won the women's individual all-around gold medal). Last night (more than 2 weeks after the Olympics), he saw a commercial about Olympic highlights, and as soon as she was on the screen, he said, "Go Gabby!" It's so cute!
Olympics 2012 - Swimming and Diving: Patton loved watching the swimming and diving competitions. He wanted to be just like the Olympians. He would "dive" off the couch, and even told me during a torrential thunderstorm that he wanted to be dive at our neighbor's pool, so he could be in the "Owympics." Later in the week, we did go swimming at the neighbor's pool, and he would jump ("dive") into the pool and say, "I in the Owympics!!"
Olympics 2012 - Lasting Impression: On Sunday, August 19th, Patton swam! He had floaties on, so I guess it doesn't "technically" count, but for a 2-year-old to be able to swim across a pool without any help from adults is just awesome to me! He has always been one to need to hold on to me when we swim or one who doesn't really kick. That day he did it by himself, and the Olympics were his motivation. He would jump ("dive") in and then swim back to the steps to get out and do it again. "I swimming like the Owympics! I in the Owympics!" he would shout. It was precious, and such a milestone. I guess we can hang another medal around Michael Phelps neck for that one :)
Baby Lewis - Finding Out: Patton is going to be a big brother! On July 10th, 2012, we found out we are expecting another baby (due March 2013). Josh and I didn't really know how to tell Patton, but we couldn't keep it from him. We told him there is a baby in mommy's tummy. He said it was a boy. For the rest of the day, he told me it was Baby Luke (his newborn cousin), Baby Mickey (as in Mickey Mouse), and baby boy. We came up with "Baby Lewis" as a name for now.
Baby Lewis - Ultrasound: We took Patton with us to our first ultrasound on August 1st. We couldn't see much, since I was only about 7 weeks pregnant, but that didn't bother Patton. The ultrasound tech was so sweet, and she made sure to explain what she was doing to Patton. "I'm going to put this lotion on mommy's tummy so I can tickle her belly and see your baby brother or baby sister." He loved it! When we were done, the tech handed me the pictures, and I handed them to Patton. He took them and showed them to the tech. He said, "That picture of my baby brudder." He had to hold the pictures all the way to the car, and he showed them to the nice lady in the elevator as we left. He had to show them to Sheila in the church office. "That my baby brudder," he'd say. Gosh, I love that boy!
Baby Lewis - Exhaustion: The first trimester of a pregnancy is always the worst of the 3. You feel yucky, ugly, hormonal, tired, and so much more but you don't look pregnant...so people just think you are one crazy, lazy, psycho lady...until they find out you are indeed pregnant. Anyway, I have felt yucky and tired, and trying to explain that to a 2 year old is, well, difficult. I don't want him to blame Baby Lewis for making me feel bad, so I just tell him, "Mommy doesn't feel good." His reply is always, "I not feel good eider." And then he runs off to play. Man, I wish I could feel that good when I "not feel good eider."
Music - The Harmonica: Patton was given a harmonica when we visited my grandparents in mid-July 2012. He loves that harmonica. He can't play a song, but he can keep a beat. He loves to play it in the car as we drive to school, but he's a little shy when asked to play it for anyone besides Josh and me.
Music - The Church Piano: Last Thursday, August 23rd, Patton got to play on the church piano as I finished some work around the church (which I didn't think of until after I had signed him out at daycare). He played for a bit before we left, and our music director came out of his office as we were leaving. He asked if Patton had been playing the piano. I thought it had bothered him, so I tried to apologize. But he was actually really impressed. He said, "He was playing single notes. He was playing a melody. Wait, how old is he?" I told him that Patton is 2 and a half and that he loves music, he's always playing something. He said, "That's really advanced for his age. Patton, maybe you should take piano lessons with me." I don't know if Patton is ready for that, but if he is a music genius some day, we can say our music director discovered him when he was only 2 :)
Well, let's wrap it up for today. Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to impact us in the next 2 days, so I'm sure I'll have some memorable events to add later.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Blessings and Hopes
I used to keep a journal in which I wrote down my "thanks" for today and my "hopes" for tomorrow. It was a way of constantly reminding myself that no matter how bad a day felt, there was always something (actually, many things) to thank God for. Since I have been in a blogging rut and feel a need to focus more on God and the ways He has truly blessed my family, I am going to start using this blog as a "Blessings and Hopes" journal. I hope it will be something I can stick to, as well as something that might inspire others to remember the way God has abundantly blessed them as well. There is no possible way I can write down all of the blessings God has sent my way, but I will mention a few for each day. If you aren't mentioned or something seems to be missing, it might be because I have already thanked God for it today (or because my mind can only remember so much, even though my heart can hold so much more).
Blessings:
-Relief from back pain
-Rest
-Time with Josh
-Hugs and kisses from Patton
-Lunch with one of my church kids
-Wendy's Frosty (one of my comfort foods and reminder of my childhood...shared with Josh)
-Family
Hopes for Tomorrow:
-More pain relief
-Time with Josh working on home projects
-More rest to help my back
-That Patton will enjoy his visit with the Lewis family
-Safe travels as Patton comes home after visiting family
-Family dinner time
-Snuggling with my little cuddle bug, and my big cuddle bug too!
Dear God, You have truly blessed us more than we could ever deserve. I thank You for the amazing family You have given me. I know that it was by Your Hand that Josh and I met, and that it was by Your Guidance that our relationship blossomed, and it was by Your Grace that we were given such a remarkable gift known as Patton. I thank You for the ways You have blessed us this week: for a successful procedure on my back, for pain relief, for family time, for rest, for time with friends, for time with our church family, for the safe travels, for our jobs, for our income and the material possessions and food that it affords, for the love You shower upon us every second of everyday, for our supportive and loving extended family, and for the countless blessings we are unaware of. You have given us so much, and we are forever grateful for Your Care and Mercy. Most importantly, God, we thank You for Your Son, who is our Salvation, our Way, our Truth, and our Life. By His wounds we are healed and made whole in You. Amen.
Blessings:
-Relief from back pain
-Rest
-Time with Josh
-Hugs and kisses from Patton
-Lunch with one of my church kids
-Wendy's Frosty (one of my comfort foods and reminder of my childhood...shared with Josh)
-Family
Hopes for Tomorrow:
-More pain relief
-Time with Josh working on home projects
-More rest to help my back
-That Patton will enjoy his visit with the Lewis family
-Safe travels as Patton comes home after visiting family
-Family dinner time
-Snuggling with my little cuddle bug, and my big cuddle bug too!
Dear God, You have truly blessed us more than we could ever deserve. I thank You for the amazing family You have given me. I know that it was by Your Hand that Josh and I met, and that it was by Your Guidance that our relationship blossomed, and it was by Your Grace that we were given such a remarkable gift known as Patton. I thank You for the ways You have blessed us this week: for a successful procedure on my back, for pain relief, for family time, for rest, for time with friends, for time with our church family, for the safe travels, for our jobs, for our income and the material possessions and food that it affords, for the love You shower upon us every second of everyday, for our supportive and loving extended family, and for the countless blessings we are unaware of. You have given us so much, and we are forever grateful for Your Care and Mercy. Most importantly, God, we thank You for Your Son, who is our Salvation, our Way, our Truth, and our Life. By His wounds we are healed and made whole in You. Amen.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Sunroom
I think everyone in our home would agree that our favorite room is the sunroom. Patton loves to play in there, Charlie practically lives in there, Josh and I love to sit in there. I particularly like the sunroom when it's actually not sunny at all. This week, I've enjoyed 3 lunches curled up on that old green sofa in the sunroom watching the rain drops slide down the window panes and the wind blow the leaves around. I love watching it rain, especially when I can curl up with a peanut butter and banana sandwich, a good book ("The Help"...amazing!), and Charlie all safe and cozy in the sunroom.
The sunroom has become a playroom lately. It's filled with toys, and at times they seem to just drown the room in bright colors and pieces that hurt your foot when you step on them. But, it isn't just a play room...it's become our family room. It's where we play blocks and assemble puzzles together as a family. It's where Patton, Charlie, and I all climb onto the couch and wave at Josh when he comes home, or when he leaves for work, or when he is mowing the grass, etc. It's where we put our Christmas tree. It's where Josh and I spent so many evenings that first Christmas season, staring at the tree and wondering about the days to come after Patton would be born a couple months later. That's one of my favorite things to do in there too...stare at a Christmas tree while wearing flannel pajamas and wrapped in a quilt my Nana made. Maybe add a cup of hot chocolate for good measure.
It's a wonderful place to be, it's the homiest place in the house, even when it isn't necessarily sunny.
The sunroom has become a playroom lately. It's filled with toys, and at times they seem to just drown the room in bright colors and pieces that hurt your foot when you step on them. But, it isn't just a play room...it's become our family room. It's where we play blocks and assemble puzzles together as a family. It's where Patton, Charlie, and I all climb onto the couch and wave at Josh when he comes home, or when he leaves for work, or when he is mowing the grass, etc. It's where we put our Christmas tree. It's where Josh and I spent so many evenings that first Christmas season, staring at the tree and wondering about the days to come after Patton would be born a couple months later. That's one of my favorite things to do in there too...stare at a Christmas tree while wearing flannel pajamas and wrapped in a quilt my Nana made. Maybe add a cup of hot chocolate for good measure.
It's a wonderful place to be, it's the homiest place in the house, even when it isn't necessarily sunny.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Patton, our Entertainer
Well, 2 months ago I posted...I'm really bad at blogging regularly, but I have a lot of wonderful distractions in my life so I can't complain.
Life has been great! I love our little family of 3...I guess 4, since our dog Charlie plays a big part too. We went to the beach last month with my dad and family, and it was Patton's first beach trip. He loved it, and I really don't think I have ever enjoyed the beach more than I did on that trip. Patton was the main attraction that whole week, but then again, he's the main attraction everyday here.
I hate to be one of those mothers that can't stop bragging about her kid, but I really can't stop myself sometimes from just going on and on about the new words he has learned this week or how cute he was when he did "..." the other day. He really is quite something, if I do say so myself. He loves to read books, and he loves to learn new things. We talk about animals quite a bit, so we are constantly learning animal sounds and names. It seems like he learns a new word or sound everyday. He loves to dance. If he hears a slight beat, even background music during a movie, he stops whatever he is doing to dance. He spins, he shimmies, he bobs his head, and he bounces. He is a dancing fool for sure! He also loves to be outside. He helps me water flowers and he tries to help daddy rake the yard. He also loves his dog Charlie. She stayed with my mom while we were at the beach and then stayed an extra week with them until we could work out a return trip time. Patton missed her. He kept putting his pacifier and his toys in her empty kennel. When she finally did come home, he tried to give her hugs and he even tried reading to her. It was precious! Tonight, he tried giving her kisses as she watched him in the bathtub. He then proceeded to scare her as he splashed violently and cackled at how funny he thinks he is.
Josh and I feel so blessed to have him in our lives. Each day we seem to come to the realization that we are so lucky. God is so good!
Life has been great! I love our little family of 3...I guess 4, since our dog Charlie plays a big part too. We went to the beach last month with my dad and family, and it was Patton's first beach trip. He loved it, and I really don't think I have ever enjoyed the beach more than I did on that trip. Patton was the main attraction that whole week, but then again, he's the main attraction everyday here.
I hate to be one of those mothers that can't stop bragging about her kid, but I really can't stop myself sometimes from just going on and on about the new words he has learned this week or how cute he was when he did "..." the other day. He really is quite something, if I do say so myself. He loves to read books, and he loves to learn new things. We talk about animals quite a bit, so we are constantly learning animal sounds and names. It seems like he learns a new word or sound everyday. He loves to dance. If he hears a slight beat, even background music during a movie, he stops whatever he is doing to dance. He spins, he shimmies, he bobs his head, and he bounces. He is a dancing fool for sure! He also loves to be outside. He helps me water flowers and he tries to help daddy rake the yard. He also loves his dog Charlie. She stayed with my mom while we were at the beach and then stayed an extra week with them until we could work out a return trip time. Patton missed her. He kept putting his pacifier and his toys in her empty kennel. When she finally did come home, he tried to give her hugs and he even tried reading to her. It was precious! Tonight, he tried giving her kisses as she watched him in the bathtub. He then proceeded to scare her as he splashed violently and cackled at how funny he thinks he is.
Josh and I feel so blessed to have him in our lives. Each day we seem to come to the realization that we are so lucky. God is so good!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Storms
I guess you can say that I am a total "chicken" when it comes to bad weather. I've been that way as long as I can remember, but then again, I was always a scaredy-cat of a child. Growing up, we always had at least one bad tornado scare each semester of school. I remember huddling in the halls, hearing the whispers of my scared friends, and listening to the teachers talk on walkie-talkies as the principal gave them the latest weather update. We would hear the name of a community, and all of us would start our own little panicked conversations: "I have a friend that lives in Kimberly" or "Our house is in Brookside." Most of these tornado drills (which, I guess weren't really "drills") seemed to also include tears, frantic drives home in the rain, and lifted prayers as we were all kneeling in the hallway outside our classrooms. It's amazing how certain events seem to stick with you as you grow up. I remember one time when I was in fourth grade, kneeling in the hallway by a window-surrounded doorway (which was supposed to be "safer" than our classrooms, uh no). I huddled there by my best friends, and we quietly shared our fears as we tried our best to hear what was being said by the teachers as they passed along information. I remember tears, I remember being scared, and I remember that they weren't letting children leave the school even though it was right at 3pm. They changed their minds, and let the parents come inside to check their children out of school. My mom was one of those parents. I remember hearing my name and my sister's name over the walkie-talkies. I remember walking down the hall with a teacher while all the other students stayed huddled into balls against the walls, and I remember seeing my mom at the front office. And that's it. I don't remember anything after that...probably because from that moment on, I was safe. I was with my mom and my sister, and I was safe and secure. I remember another time or two in high school. I remember Mrs. Dorothy Taylor (the scariest, yet most amazing teacher in the whole school) sitting in a chair by the double doors that led out to the parking lot. The wind outside was actually pulling the doors open, and she would close them and use her humor or a threat to "take someone out to the parking lot" to calm our nerves. Another time, I remember opening double doors as well, but it was on the other side of the school. Ashley and I were trying our best to conceal our cell phones as we frantically tried to call our mom since we had overheard someone mention our neighborhood on the walkie talkies. I remember the ride home that time. We had to take detours around fallen trees and downed power lines. I actually remember the sights on that trip home...I guess I didn't feel safe until we actually got home. I guess this post just goes to show that I am as long-winded as they come. I started this post to make a simple point, but I think I have beat it into the ground. I'm a chicken when it comes to storms, but I believe I have a right to be so. Growing up, we dealt with floods, severe weather, tons of tornado "drills" at school, and even damage to our home in one way or another. Even now, being 26 years old, married, and a mother...I am scared of storms. The mere mention of tornado warnings just fills me with anxiety. I close the sunroom doors so I can't see the lightning and the trees blowing. I turn the TV to the local weather station and make sure to check on Josh (since he is usually on a 24 hour shift when the bad weather hits...what luck!). Storms just make me uneasy, but eventually they pass, and I get to curl out of my huddled up ball and be thankful that this isn't a night that will forever be engrained in my mind because I am safe at home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)