Toddler Voice

I love Jackson's little voice. I remember thinking how I couldn't wait for him to be able to have conversations with me.

Today, the way he said "Mo Ched Bun-ee, pweese" (more cheddar bunnies, please) was hilarious. Only a mother could understand him right now. Most people would be like, what?!? However, after he says that, he usually takes his hand and bounces it in the air like a bunny hopping and makes a "boing" noise.  He loves Annie's Cheddar bunnies more than goldfish. I am fine with that.

The way he asks to go potty is quick to miss. He nonchalantly says "pee in potty" and I have to be paying attention to get it. Then, of course, it is a wonderful time of dancing and sticker time when the time is completed. However, I forget that he can communicate with me and I have to pay attention. 

I know that "why" stage is coming up next. I can say this now, but I am ready and okay with it. It is my time to explore the answers with him and help him grow and understand a situation. I am going to be a full time SAHM and I absolutely cannot wait until I have that individual time with him. 

In other news, here is a little artwork project we created this morning. He repeatedly said in an amazed voice, "Bubbles." It was darling. 

5 days on

Today start my 5 days on my Starbucks shift. I would rather play outside with my son and hubby all day.

We went to a birthday party at lunch and then went to Callaway Gardens after nap. It was lovely.
It is supposed to be raining, so I guess the outside thing wouldn't work, but that still doesn't make me want to go to work outside the home.

3 more weeks. 18 days to be exact. :)

Off to get ready to go to church. I love our church.

our faces do not lie

We were outside the entire day!

vitamin D overload.

Birthday Party

We are going to a brother/sister Birthday party this morning. I will be the party photographer, so Ben and Jack will arrive when the party starts. I am going to get there a little early.
I am looking forward to some normal family time today. It will actually feel like a Saturday. :)

2 hours 70 degrees

Jack and I spent 2 hours outside on this beautiful afternoon. It was the perfect temperature in our shady back yard. We hung out with neighbors, played, and enjoyed ourselves. I was sad that Ben was not here, but we have the next two days together!

Now, ice cream and a movie!

Outside fun

I have set up a plethora of outside activities for us to enjoy on this beautiful afternoon.
Going to have some fun with my sweet boy!

End to my time at Starbucks

Wow! I told my manager that my last day at work would be May 15th. Since then, she is scheduling more hours that I have ever worked at Starbucks in 2 weeks. I just finished a 6 days straight shift. Now, for next week, I am working Sunday-Thursday. I am thankful I get a nice paycheck at the end of all of this!!

I can't believe we have 23 days left until Graduation and my Birthday!

LAST DAY

This is the last day of the 6 days stretch of working. (40 hours) I am exhausted and feel that it is necessary to take a nap before my 3pm shift today. I usually am working on housework, but that will have to go on hold for today. I need to take care of myself.

On other news: potty training is going pretty well once we put the pressure off of him, he asks to go on the potty. Not trained completely, but we are getting there.....with pull ups on. :)

My back is almost 100% better. That is a relief!

Ben had a HUGE test this morning and is now at lunch with a leader of our church to talk about the Launch Team for Ben and I to be involved in the new branch coming to LaGrange. We are excited!

Graduation party invitations are almost all sent out! I can't believe it! 2 years ago, I was sitting wondering how I would make money for our family for Ben to go to school and the Lord provided! We own a wonderful home, were able to take trips, live simply, and enjoy the small amounts of time we had together through this wild adventure. I am not sad about the last two years. I know the Lord used the situation to bring us closer together and closer to the Lord. We can't wait for the next chapter and having my hubby as a terrific nurse and my soul job as a SAHM!

I hope your "hump" day is going well!

Storytime

We found out there is a storytime at the Library in town. We are going to check it out this morning!

Tickle Time

Jackson loves "tickle" time with his mom and dad. He will grab my hands and say "teh kul Da-ee" Then, Ben is dramatic and acts like it is soo funny. Then, we hear belly laughs from Jackson. After that, we both act like we are going to tickle him using our hands like we are clawing the air. (or, an old people arthritis hand workout) This goes on for 10 minutes. It is the best stress reliever. 

Our Sanity

For our sanity and Jackson's as well, we have decided to go to pull-ups for the time being. I think he thought he was ready for the potty and big boy underwear, but he is not. And, it is just fine. I know he understands how to use it and what it means. However, he had more accidents than successes yesterday . I have a fear that he will start holding it in and that worries me. He needs a consistent person to help him through this process and right now, he does not have one.  So, even though we have ONE DIAPER this morning, we will be going to buy another pack. And, it is okay. We would rather be a happy family than depressed and stuck at the house for another week. There are other reasons why we decided to wait, but I don't want to bore you.

We are going to have a morning of shopping and eating lunch. We are very excited about the time we have together and do not have to stress over potty time, for the time being.

Enjoy your weekend!

No drugs here just dilated eyes.

I had to get my eyes dilated at the Doc's office this morning. Then, I decided it was best to run some errands in attempt to get out of potty training at home.

Sad thing is that when I was in Wal-mart, I went to get an ink cartridge and on the way out, the store security system went off. I walked up to the clerk to see if she needed to check my ink. She said I was fine. I went back through it and it went off again. I hope they didn't notice my dilated eyes or I would have some "explaning" to do.
However,  I am sure I look like more of a normal person than most in that store. ha!

Now, I am back to potty training and attempting to fix our printer.

Likes at 2 years old

To document my son's "likes" at 2 years old

1. Cars
2. Trains
3. Planes
4. Dancing (index fingers waving up and down)
5. His Bat mobile we made him for his Birthday
6. His new wagon and tricycle. He likes going on wagon walks with Korra Baughman.
7. Music: Mr. Sun, Hot Dog (Mickey), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme, Little Einsteins, 
8. "No, Thank you...Welcome." He doesn't understand it is a 2 person convo. 
9. Tickling Daddy
10. Books
11. Being outside (cries when we have to come in)
12. Sleeping. (it took 9 months, but once we got there, he realized it was pretty great)
13. Animals
14. Organizing anything. Lining it up in a row.
15. Mickey Mouse and Little Einsteins
16. He likes it when he goes in the potty (4-15-13: First potty experience). 
17. He loves raisins ("raise") and Juice of any kind. 
18. He likes his Thomas the Train Underwear and Hanes Boxer Briefs.
19. He now likes to wash his hands as much as he can. He has a stool in the bathroom.
20. He likes saying the blessing at meals and prayers at night. 

Marble Paper

Potty Training was draining Jackson and I and we were starting to go a little crazy. So, I decided to give a 2 year old some shaving cream and a little paint. It wasn't a bad idea. 

He enjoyed it, but kept asking me to "get it off his hands." I am hoping he gets over this "not wanting to be dirty" phase. His mom is an art teacher. He doesn't even like to play with play dough right now. ha! 

I had done this activity with my middle school art students. They LOVED and we just had the supplies for the activity at home. All you need is paper (we use card stock), washable paint or food coloring (food color stains your hands, we used acrylic paint and it actually washed right off), squeegee (we used a rubbermaid lid) and a tray of some sort to hold the contents of your concoction. I have seen people use a toothpick. (toothpick and 2 year old, no, thank you) We used a random pen. I just threw it away afterwards. We have pens everywhere! OH, shaving cream. 

We just put the shaving cream in the tray, picked the colors and plopped them in the tray, and swirled with the pen. Then, press the paper down. Squeegee it off and Voila! Marble paper! 

You can make bookmarks out of the paper, use as a background (mat)  for a photo in a frame, write a letter to a friend, etc. I LOVE this paper because you never know how it will turn out. Plus, the kids can get messy and still smell amazing afterwards. 

Tomorrow is going to rain in Georgia. Have fun!

back

Back still hurts, Lord give me strength.

To lighten up the back situation and potty training, we are going to have some fun with some shaving cream and paint.

Two year old and shaving cream.... hmmmmm

Success

He had a dry diaper all morning and peed twice in the potty! I am hoping this afternoon will be as great as this morning. I would like to venture out in the world again soon. :)

Day 3

Day 3: HERE WE GO! :)

MUCH BETTER TODAY!

Early naptime

I think we both need a nap after so many trips to the potty.

Jackson went to sleep 20 minutes earlier today. I am going to have a little mommy time.

Then, housework time.

Whew, potty training is rewarding and so exhausting.

Solo Sticker

Only one sticker on his Potty Chart today.

It was a long day.

whew

Potty training is an adrenaline rush. I see the look on his face and we run to the bathroom.

I need a nap.

Oh, wait, I need to do some laundry for the Thomas the Train Underwear. We have already been through 4 pair this morning.

I need a nap.

Big Day

Yesterday, Jackson went pee pee on the potty! He asked to have his diaper off and immediately went! It was a great evening. Too bad I was at work. Jack is making up for me not being there by having me on my toes all day. We have Thomas the Train Underwear,  a stack of books, and a 20 minute timer ready to go. Also, I made him a Potty Chart, so here we go!!!!!

Callaway Gardens

The three of us are heading to Callaway Gardens this morning! I am so excited!!!!

April 3rd mistake

I picked up something heavy on April 3rd and my back is still killing me. It is at the bottom all the way across and it hurts in any position. (sitting, standing, etc)  I can't quite get comfortable. I am just ignoring it, but now I can't ignore it. My extremities are slightly numb too. No fun.

Besides taking meds and heating back, anyone else have suggestions??  I am in a lot of pain. And, it is unfair to Jack to not be able to play with him. Plus, I am heading to work in 4 hours. Ug.

Allergies

I wish allergies were not a problem for Jackson. We would stay outside all day. However, he is so "ugly" (as we call it) to his nose. It looks likes his nose is going to fall off his face when he rubs it. And, his little eyes are so swollen. We played a lot today outside and I gave him a thorough bath to help him. Nose spray (saline) and baby benedryl should help him sleep tonight.

Now, laundry time and catching up on my shows.

Keeping up with the Joneses

I guess my neighbors felt some pressure. Now, I can see them mowing their grass.

Supermarket Sweep

I decided to mow the grass before the storm today. Let's just say it looked like I was on the game show, SuperMarket Sweep.....with my electric mower!

 (watch starting minute 12:34.)

SUPERMARKET SWEEP

Couponing gives me such joy.

I am just returning from the store. I saw this article when I pulled up my computer and had to share!

http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/is-couponing-worth-your-time

My comment to couponing:

I am a couponer, not extreme, but I only clip the ones I need. Today, is a wonderful example of my couponing. I scanned my CVS card and got a $10 beauty product cash. The purpose of my visit to the store was to get my hubby hair gel. I had a $1 coupon off for it. Then, I added in a loaf of bread to the order. I didn't know this, but that went towards the $10 off too!! So, my bill should have been around $13 and I paid .89 for my hair gel and bread! I didn't spend a lot of time, but when you shop at CVS frequently they reward you. It was that simple. 

Mom, I am just brushing my teeth.

I am trying to explore different projects with Jackson each day. Today, I decided to try something messy, since he is not a fan of getting messy.

Baking soda and water. Great! I have both! We made a paste. At first, he was confused and ended up with a huge handful of paste in his mouth. He promptly decided that it was not a good idea. Poor fella!

Then, he REALLY got into it. We added army men and ice to the mix. We made up a story that he was saving the army men from the ice and snow. He loved it!

Here are some shot of our adventure with baking soda paste.

Are you okay, mommy?!

Jack and I traveled at 10am from Augusta to LaGrange. Then, at 8pm, from Lagrange to Cumming. I was in a lot of pain physically. When we arrived at my parents house, I immediately laid on the floor to stretch my body.. Jack grabbed his rocking chair and quietly lined it up next to me. He looked down and said, "you okay, mommy?" Then, got down and laid across me and patted me with his hand. My parents, Ben, and I were in shock. I started to cry by the amazing sweetness and caring my son was showing me. I will never forget that moment.

Traveling boy

Currently, Jackson is walking around the house calling for "Rockie" which is "Rocket" from his favorite show.  He has his hand up to his face while calling it out and asking "Where he go?!"
I left his airplane in the car because we got home from Augusta at 2pm and will be leaving in an hour to go to the mountains. I do not want to forget his favorite toy.

Jackson has been amazing through all the traveling. He enjoyed seeing his Aunt Beka and BeBe. We ate yummy food and it was wonderful watching Jackson light up with joy whenever his Aunt "Bla Bla" would come in the room.

Now, we are going to my parents house to spend the night. Then, just Ben and I are going to rest in the north georgia mountains and enjoying a Saturday together. Ben worked five 12 hour shifts in a row, so we haven't seen him since Sunday. Next week, we each work EVERYDAY. So, it will be a long week for us.

 We are THRILLED that he gets off in 20 minutes. Which reminds me that I need to finish packing the car.

Have a splendid weekend!

Best night at work

I picked up a shift at work and our wonderful BeBe watched Jack. At first, I was dreading the 7 hour shift, but we really needed the money. It was a quiet shift because of Spring Break AND I got to visit with some awesome people on my 10 minute break. Isn't it funny how you live next door to some awesome people, but you are never home to visit?!? It was great to have a 30 minute chat and relax.

We "planned" to cookout on Sunday when this crazy week is over. I am not supposed to "plan it." I am working on being spontaneous. I used to be, but with our crazy tight schedule, it is hard sometimes to do so.

Well, off to get my boy up for the day and run some errands with BeBe. I got to see Ben for 30 minutes last night and he has left for the day. I won't see him until 11 tonight. :( 4 more days :)

A week without Daddy

Ben will be working five 12 hour shifts in a row. He is trying to get hours done in the hospital to graduate. I am going to be busy too, but a different kind of busy.  Wishing we could hang out together.

 We will be celebrating NEXT MONTH by doing something fun. That is no typo. My hubby is graduating from nursing school NEXT MONTH! May 18th, here we go! These next few weeks are going to be wild, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Well, I've got to get some things done before I head to work. Jack is sleeping and it is a perfect opportunity to tackle our bedroom and laundry.