The Cute Things He Says

For Noah's sake it is a good thing he is so cute! My parents used that line on me well into my twenties. Now I really understand. Noah is both a rascal and utterly adorable. After our frustrating day I thought I'd take the time to record some of the cute things he says and does. More for my own piece of mind and memory.

"Mommy, you remember when we talked about Jesus and thunder? He is always with me. He wants to be my friend. He wants to play race cars with me."

"You remember where my favorite is?" - referring to his favorite racecar

At my OB appointment Monday.....

- giving a you know what sample- "Mommy I so proud of you. You get a prize!"

- After I got my finger pricked- Holding up his finger to the lab tech, "My turn."

Noah can be quite polite saying things like, "Can you come here please for a minute mommy?" Or saying sorry if he bumps into you or steps on your foot. Sometimes he even follows up with a hug.

He is very curious and says things like, " What does ketchup mean?" or "What starts with dog?"

When he doesn't want to do something he usually says, " I can't. Maybe later."

He uses possessives instead of plurals. Likes Spotses to mean his three Spots. It's too cute to correct right now. I'll let his teacher do that ;)

God is teaching me some more lessons on weakness and humility in these last weeks of pregnancy. He is breaking a part any pride I might of had as a mom and showing holes in my patience and cracks in my vessel. And I am so thankful that He will show his strength through my times of weakness. That at the end of the summer Noah will still feel loved, will be potty trained, will learn more and more and sweet little Miller will be in my arms. I will still be wishing for more than three hours of sleep strung together, I will still get frustrated with acts of disobedience, and I will still be counting to ten as I pray for patience with accidents and mood swings of a two year old. And I will still love both of my boys with my whole heart and marvel at how adorable they are as God teaches me that having one train of thought (frustration, need for patience, weakness) doesn't mean you can't have the other at the same times (love and gratefulness for the gift children are.) I am most thankful that perfection isn't a job requirement for mothering!

The Regression

I knew it was too good to be true. Things were going just too well. It started with pee pee on the bathroom floor. On purpose? Not making it on time? Who knows. But twice in a row? Then came this afternoon.

Noah's big boy room is under major construction. It has been painted and toys and books have been moved in. Adam is currently sanding and staining his big boy bed. So right now it is open and full of toys. Noah likes to play in there. This afternoon I was relaxing on the couch after a very very short nap by Noah which meant Miller and I didn't get to take our usual siesta. Noah was playing cars and decided to go play in his big boy room. I was happy because I have been trying to get him to play on his own more and more. He shut the door, and I should have gone right then to check on what he was doing in there. But I am tired and sore and just didn't. I listened carefully and could hear him laughing and talking to his racecars. Fifteen minutes or so later I did get up to check .....

"I pooped and peed in the potty! Look!"

He pointed in the corner of the room. That is not a potty!

"And in the dumptruck! I get a prize!"

The adorable little rascal had pooped in his dumptruck. IN THE DUMPTRUCK. Really? There are no prizes given for creativity or aim.

I think its safe to say we may have taken a step or two back.

The Whiny Post

This is going to be a very self indulgent post. But I think that at some point in the third trimester pregnant women get this way. You have to pull yourself out of the mood. I am thankful tomorrow is Sunday and perhaps worshiping my Creator and Savior will push me back into reality instead of self pity. Here is what I am whining about:

I waddle when I walk. I can't eat when or what I want. And right now I could really use some sweet tea or a milkshake or a cupcake or a slice cheesecake or an Oreo or..... I could go on. Apparently can't handle Tylenol. So I am also whining about the night time pelvic pain that is threatening to become unbearable everytime I roll over or move my legs. I am tired. Very tired. And its really hot. Very hot.

Okay I am done now. I won't whine about it again. (Well I will try not to.)

Instead I will tell you how excited I am about this little life growing and moving around inside me. He doesn't seem to mind the heat or lack of sugar in our lives. I can't wait to meet him. I am sure he is worth all the sugar testing and sweating it out. We have big plans this week for his room and organizing things. I am also so very proud of Noah and his potty training! We kicked the little potty (it was nasty) to the curb and settled instead on a racecar toilet seat that hooks on to the big potty (not nearly as gross to clean) and a little stool. He likes it a lot. We also had to revise the rewards (gummies for pee pee and ring pops for poo poo). He literally could make himself go either on command for a prize. Yesterday he had five ring pops! Today we switched to Dibs (small ice cream balls, he gets one or two) . Much better. The face he makes when he knows he is being successful (HUGE grin) and the happy clapping dance he does when he runs to get his prize is better than any milkshake!

The Potty Training Progress

Monday we started Potty Training! We went to Target to pick up Big Boy Underwear and rewards. Lifesaver Gummies (did you know they are actually race car tires?!) for pee pee and Ring Pops for poo poo. Noah was so excited to wear his new undies. He loves them. I think that is really the reason he is doing so well. He doesn't want to mess them up. I have put him in a diaper for nap and bed and trips to the grocery store. Eventually we will transfer to Pull Ups and then underwear. He has only had one minor accident. And he was trying to make it to the potty but missed it by a couple of inches. I don't really count it. I have been both surprised and thankful of how well he is doing. I really wasn't looking forward to cleaning up mess. But I am not convinced that cleaning up the little potty is any better than changing diapers. I am thinking we might try to make a sooner transition to the bigger potty. And why do we have to take the underwear off all the way every time? And how do I eventually wean him from the prizes? Oh the adventures of motherhood :)

The New Routine

Now that my conference and trips are over this week was all about establishing new routines for our life over the next few months. Noah and I started on some new projects, like potty training and reorganizing and moving toys. We also visited the Tuscaloosa Farmer's Market where we came home with some blueberries, peaches and my favorite purchase... Sunflowers. We went to storytime at the library. We have also made homemade juice pops. I have done lots of laundry and read lots of books. We both are looking forward to the next six months of more of the same.

The Fathers

Yesterday was Father's Day and I am so very thankful for the dads in my life!

For my daddy.... I am thankful for his steadiness. Always patient with me and my problems, always constant in his routine and responses and most importantly his faith in God. I am thankful for his love and how it shaped me.

For my father in law... I am thankful for his wisdom and sense of humor. I am thankful most for the example he set for Adam and the role he played in shaping and influencing the father and husband he is.

And most of all I am beyond thankful for the father of my sons. Adam has surprised me with what an amazing dad he is since the second Noah was born. His love for Noah is constant and unbounded. He is involved in every decision and cares about all the details of Noah's sweet young life. He is truly a partner in this roller coaster ride we call raising Noah. There is nothing I love more than watching him and Noah play. I am so thankful for the example he is setting and the love he is pouring out to Noah and soon to Miller! I love you and thank you for loving me and Noah so so much!

The Gestational Diabetes

Noah and Miller's pregnancies have been very different. Up until this week I would have told you that Miller's pregnancy has been much healthier. With Noah I was so sick I could only stomach certain foods. Mainly Swiss Cake Rolls, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Mac and Cheese and Jamocha Shakes. This time I still throw up now and again but is mostly manageable with meds and I can eat all different kinds of things strawberries, grilled chicken, salads, pasta, grilled pork chops, asparagus, grilled corn, and milk by the gallon. I haven't had one swiss cake roll. At this point with Noah I had gained close to forty pounds. (I wonder why)I have only gained 13 so far. I feel better except for being unimaginably hot. (I went to the mall this morning and kid you not I was sweating!! in the air conditioning and last night I slept with a floor fan at my bedside. It's crazy and not even officially summer yet)But I found out Thursday that I have tested positive for gestational diabetes. I was floored. And then frustrated. And a little scared. I seriously lack in the self control department and I love food. I love to cook it and I love to enjoy it. Three months of pricking my finger four times a day and the risk of developing Type 2 in just five years scare me to no end. There is a higher possibility of c-sections with GD if the babies upper body gets too big. I really don't want that. There is a tiny risk of stillbirth but only if I lose complete control of my sugar levels. I hope it is enough to motivate me to be careful. Very careful. I think I'd be fine if I didn't have such a sensitivity to artificial sweeteners. There are so many sugar free products out there but many trigger migraines for me and then others they aren't quite sure how the effect babies in the womb. I am also worried about working out the logistics of it. Tomorrow I leave for a Teaching American History Program Conference and I'll be gone until Friday. All of our meals and snacks are provided. It is here in town but we are staying at the hotel. Tuesday I have to go into Birmingham to meet with the dietitian to take a class and get my testing kit. I am worried about being in meetings all day and eating every two hours and pricking my finger. I don't even know yet what kinds of snacks I should pack to take with me. To complicate things even worse Adam's car has breathed its last breath. He will be taking mine since I will be in a conference. I can imagine I might be calling him from time to time to bring me things :) I am praying for confidence and will power. And for long term health for me and Miller. And a cheap gym membership for after he is born so I can fight off Type 2.

The Texas Trip

On Friday we headed out on the road to Texas to meet Aubrey Kate Evans! When undertaking a four state road trip I have one piece of advice.... take Nana! We were so blessed to have Nana with us. She spoiled all three of us and made sure we were all taken care of. Noah did really well on Friday. We went all day, stopping every hour and a half and walking around for fifteen to thirty minutes. We saw a lot of different gas stations and rest stops.Some of them were forgetable but a few we found full of character and very entertaining. If you ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere Louisiana stop by this gas station/casino duo. Noah and I both were okay until dinner. We stopped about every forty five minutes after that to stretch and we had to bribe Noah to get back in the car with gummy bears. But it was all worth it when we arrived at Robin and Chris' door and were greeted by Aubrey Kate! We spent the next three days just simply hanging out and getting to know the newest addition. AK is a sweet little baby. She has a great tempermenent and it is so sweet the way her parents simply adore her! We did take Noah to a nearby park to run off some of his extra energy. He loved it! We decided based on the last four hours of the trip in to split our trip out into two days. We the night in Ruston Louisiana. Noah had an adventure and had a spend the night party in Nana's hotel room. He loved every minute. Our return trip went smoothly. We stopped at the Mississippi welcome center in Vicksburg to admire the Mighty Mississippi River and stretch of course :) This afternoon it was clear Noah was finished with the car ride but his whining faded when he was reunited with all his racecars and his Brooke. We had a great trip and look forward watching Aubrey Kate grow!

The Newest Stolen Pics

We just got in from Texas this afternoon. I will write all about our trip in a little bit. But while I am sitting here dreading my three hour glucose tolerance test in the morning and waiting for trip laundry to finish up I amused myself by stealing Facebook pictures of some of my favorite little people. I have to share them!!! My girl already loves to shop! What a sweet smile! I am so glad I got to see it in person this weekend. She is such a sweet little baby! I can't wait to see how her little personality grows and grows! What really helps when you have a photo stealing habit is when your mom, an awesome photographer has a Facebook account and shares her awesome pictures! Look how cute these three are! Relaxation. Look at those swet pouty lips. So sweet. I have to get to Macon to see this with my own eyes. She is just so beautiful and has captured so many hearts already! Tutu fun! When Mimi brings her camera with her to the park , an ordinary trip turns into extraordinary pictures. Of course it helps if you are as cute as Xander! Drool has never been so adorable! I have always loved babies and kids. And I wasn't sure my heart could hold more love than when I first laid eyes on Noah. But Oh My! Does my heart just overflow with love for these four!! You can see why.

The Poo Poo in My Closet

* Warning: This story is gross. Don't read it if you get grossed out by toddler poop. Because there is lots of it and its everywhere!

Today's antidote is completely my fault. I realize that and own it completely.

This morning I really needed a shower. I didn't squeeze one in yesterday. I picked a nap instead. Noah was fully engrossed in Sesame Street so I thought, good time for a shower. I kissed my little one and said, "Mommy's gonna take a shower you stay here, okay?" Well he wanted to come. At least that way I could watch him. Ha,ha.

So I close us in the bathroom and get in. Noah wants to get in too and takes off all his clothes. I have shampoo in my hair and figure okay. Then he decided that he was scared of the shower and didn't want to get in. For refuge he runs into my closet and shuts the door. Okay, now there is a naked two year old in my closet. I was rinsing my face and lathering up the loofah. I had an estimated two minutes left in the shower. And I thought, "What can he possibly get into? Its just clothes that can be re hung up or re folded. There are no cleaners or poison or markers or crayons. We are good." Never once did I consider poop. So I finished quickly, wrapped a towel around myself. Knocked on the door and opened it.

"Time to come out Noah."

"I poo pooed mommy. Right there."

Okay. No big deal. I look at him and survey the damage. Luckily he thinks poop is gross and didn't play or paint with it. It is all over his legs and feet. In fact as I am thinking about what to do he is tracking it all over my bathroom. So I quarantine him to my big tub. Only he's scared of it and won't take a bath in it. My pregnancy brain is slowing my reaction time to the crisis at hand. I have a poop covered two year old in my tub, poop in my closet and all over my bathroom floor.Do I laugh or cry? So I did what any pregnant mom would, I lost my breakfast. From the bathtub I hear Noah call out to me in the toilet closet, "Mommy you poo poo too? You get prize! " Hmm. Do I get a prize for throwing up?

My mind cleared a little after that. I wiped him up enough to transport him to his non scary bathtub. He takes a quick bath and gets dressed. I plop him down in front of PBS Kids and tackle the bathroom. We are all clean. And we have learned we don't poo poo in the closet. Ever.

It is a good thing he is so cute! He sure does keep it interesting!

The Scared Little Boy

I have a little problem. Noah is scared of EVERYTHING! From the neighborhood dogs, the shower, fans, any kind of lawn equipment, sprinklers, pools and then yesterday he was scared of my neighbor's three year old! His reaction can be anything form running and jumping in my lap, hiding his face in me and saying, "I'm scared Mommy" and hanging out for a minute or two (as in the case of my neighbor's three year old who he plays with frequently) to extreme terror (as in the case of the floor fan I tried to bring out on the front porch.). It started about two weeks ago and has gradually grown worse to the point of refusing to go outside to play. I have prayed for him and then prayed with him. I have reinforced the fact that God is always with him and he doesn't need to be scared. But I really am at a loss as to how to help him. I think it has everything to do with my growing belly and all the changes coming his way. I have tried to reinforce that Adam and I will love him always and no matter what. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to them! It will be a long summer if we are stuck in the house without the use of fans :)

The First Day of Summer

Yesterday was the first day of my seven month summer/leave of absence.

What did I do to celebrate?
8 loads of laundry, tried to get rid of a migraine with just Tylenol, loaded and ran and unloaded the dishwasher, chased my naked two year old through the front yard, I read the same story nine times and wrangled the wiley two year old into bed.

But....

I didn't hear one cuss word or have to plead for people to be quiet so I could teach, or tell anybody to pull up their pants or to go to office and call home because leggings don't count as pants.

I got to read a book and take a nap. I also got to laugh, tickle and enjoy my quickly growing little boy and I enjoyed it immensely. I really enjoy him. I of course love him but I truly enjoy his little personality. He is funny and curious. He obeys most of the time and responds with , "okay my mommy". He also love to tell you how much he loves you. Who can complain about that?

This picture doesn't have anything to do with this post but look how cute! My mom took this in her garden a few weeks back. Charlie is such a good dog!

I am excited about being primarily responsible for our home and family without the distraction physically and emotionally by school. I just wish I could hire someone to pick up and clean it one really good time. I think I could maintain things really well :) I just find it hard to bend down and get under and in between things these days.