Don't Forget This!

My sister in law posted on facebook some funny things my niece says right now, and it made me think of all the crazy things that come out of Tag's mouth.  It's always hard to capture the true sentiment in text, but I feel like it's better than not recording this at all, right?



When Tag wakes up in the morning he usually plays in his room for a bit.  Eventually though, he'll come knock on his door for mommy.  As soon as I open the door, he says, "I sweep good!  Mommy,I sweep good!"  Occasionally, he'll add on to that, "Mommy, I hab a sticky diapa."  It's like he's so excited to have someone to talk to, that he makes up story's or tells me what happened in the book he's flipping through, even tells me something that I assume he dreamed.  When we get downstairs he asks for "bekfast", or a "babana" (banana) and asks to watch "TB" (TV).  Lately, the requests are, "Finin Nemo," (Finding Nemo) "Tut-toe Tales" (Turtle Tales), "Boo Coo's"(Blue's Clues), and "Fesh Beat Ban" (Fresh Beat Band). 

Once he sees the hustle and bustle of the morning begin, he asks "Whas we doin today?"  And some days he's "goin da skoo," (school), some days he's "goin da curch" (church), and sometimes  he says "i not goin da skoo, i goin museum!"  When we get in the car for school, we have to pick up Emmy (neighbor). Would you believe, Tag already knows how to pick fights with girls!  He and Emmy talk back and forth about whose school it is--"it my skoooo!!" Tag would say. Emmy has been in a habit of asking for Tag to be quiet, which Tag then returns, "I wan Emmy to be kiet!!" (quiet).  My ability to discipline is severely handicapped early in the morning (pre-coffee), and in the car.  But, one day I'm going to come up with a clever way to remedy this! 

On days where he stays home, he has "Miss Mowee" (Molly) to play with, if I'm working.  Some days he asks "where Miss Mowee at," and when she gets there he says things like, "Fowow me, Mis Mowee" (follow me Miss Molly) and wants her to come play something with him.  He does do his fair share of pitching fits and crying when I have to go to work, and he tells me "you NOT go to wook!"  Thankfully, he gets over it soon enough and is back to playing with Miss Molly.    

He's been potty training hard core for the past few months, and he's doing pretty well.  If we could get over hurdle # 2 (literally), we'd be done!  But, he's only 2.5 and I'm sure we'll get there one day!  I'll have to do a separate post about these adventures-- HA!!  

Tag loves music and drums, and when we're in the car he asks for "anoder song" when one song ends.  His hands are playing air drums, and his head is banging every time.  It has to be fast, too!  He can hear the words a lot of times, and he'll repeat them.  Just check out the video on Youtube (click "Clips of Life" at the top of this page) of him singing "I will wait" by Mumford&Sons.  Kid heard it one time and just kept saying the words that evening and through out the week!  


When we pass (or stop at) any fast food restaurant, Tag starts ordering food. Like this:  "Ummm, I wan, a chiken nuggets and fen-fies, and umm diet pepper" AND recently, he adds a "cheeseburga" and milkshake to the request.  Once at drive through ATM at the bank, Tag started to order. HAHA!  (yes we eat fast food occasionally,err once a weekish, no judging!)

Tag's attention span has definitely grown lately because he asks me to sit with him a lot.  It's hard to resist, "come sit with me, mommy!"  He likes to get blankets and cuddle in, and like me, he twists and turns 10 times to find just the right comfy spot.  It's always some place where he can yank out my pony tail and pull on my hair.  I remember now why I was fine with him having super long hair!   

He talks through movies and asks questions like he must confirm what he's seen.  In Finding Nemo (we pulled that one out during the latest two-week-long-cold), he asks "Nemo touch da boat,"  "Das da bad shark," "oh no, whese cora (coral)? da shark got her"?  It's such a sweet time.

During our night time routines, Tag plays pretend in the bath tub.  He sips his "Copies" (coffee) in a toy cup shaped like a measuring cup, and says how good it is.  When B bathes the kids, he asks "who wants to smell like strawberries?" and then he uses the kids berry body wash to wash them.  Tag yells to me about how he "mewl wike berries" (smells like berries).  When he gets out of the bath, he asks to be naked and all he wants is to do a few laps around the upstairs without clothes on.  He finds Story a paci and brings her her favorite blanket when it's time to read the bible.  He LOVES to sit with B and read at night-- I honestly think he could listen to him read for hours!  When it's time for bed Tag usually gets tucked in by daddy, while I put SK down.  And he repeats his usual farewell, "i wove you! see you in da mornin!"  Brentley prays with Tag and it's SO sweet to hear Tag sometimes interrupt B and say, "bess (bless) hudson, bess (bless) kent..." and anyone else Brentley might not have said yet.  Tag knows his prayer list backwards and forwards!     

Now these days, wouldn't be complete without those times when Tag says mommy about 50+ times in a row.  There are the times when he throws huge fits because he can't have Story's paci, or go outside, or eat a 6th slice of kraft singles (gross, right?).    But I appreciate these short sweet moments, and long drawn out days, seemingly filled with discipline and fits.  I love that he loves me and wants me to sit with him, or follow him, or lay with him, hold him, or forgive him.  I love being a mom in this season.  And, I can't believe how big my little baby is (36 lbs, btw).  

Time, slow down sister.  

granddaddy (a post about my dad).

Preface: my kids have a TON of grandparents (something like 6 grandparents, 10 great grandparents) and they ALL dote and love on my kids so much.  We are EXTREMELY blessed with the gift of loving family!  But, since this post is specifically about (my dad) Granddaddy (around, ahem, after Father's day), I'm going to leave them all out.  But maybe I'll take a little about "Grandma" since she's Granddaddy's better half ;) 

 

I'm a total "daddy's girl."  And, I love that my dad, LOVES my kids.  He even once referred to them as good medicine.  I feel extremely blessed that he's here and healthy and willing to come watch them at my house (a solid hour drive away) or have the kids at his house or out at the farm or even at work.  He and my mom are always chomping at the bit to see them, no matter when or how.  Even though we don't always take them up on their offers, it's so nice to know they are there and want to spend as much time as possible with our kids.   

Dad (and mom) helped me A LOT this year when Tag's leg was broken. It was Brentley's busy season at work, and we needed him to save his vacation for Story's birth.  I wasn't really able to carry Tag or get him in and out of the car too much (with my massive 8 month pregnant belly), so Dad and mom came to Tag's appointments with me (carrying him, strolling him, entertaining him, etc.)...  Anyway, they also came and helped with Tag several times at last minute notice while we were in transition for childcare.

THANKS DAD(&mom)! 

  

Tag is 100% an outdoor child.  He wakes up from naps yelling "ousideee" (outside).  When he sees his grandaddy he just knows right away they are going outside, and SOON.  My dad is an out of doors type of guy too.  When we get to my parents house these days, Tag runs over to the barn and wants to get right on my dads lawn mower.  So they just ride it around the yard.... When they're at the farm, they do the same with the gator (kind of like a golf cart and 4 wheeler hybrid, with seatbelts). 

He adores Story too.  He's so gentle and sweet with her.  I love to see her take him in! 

He even comes to baby showers to wrangle wild/sleepy grandbabies with Grandma.

Here's a picture of Dad when Tag's leg was broken.  As broken hearted as Brentley and I were about his injury... I think my dad was close behind us.  It hurt ALL of his parents

/grandparents /great grandparents to see him like this!   

  

And because Granddaddy has a hat, Tag wants a hat.  I think it's safe to attribute Tag's obsession with hats to my dad =)  

Love you daddy.  Thank you for loving my amazing mother so well.  Thank you for loving us (your kids and my kids).  Thank you for ALL the sacrifices you've made time and time again for your everyone in your family.  I love having you and mom as examples for my children!

this year.

Year 4 of marriage.  So far, the best one yet.  We added another baby bird to our flock. Sometimes big changes like that can take it's toll on a marriage, but for ours (so far), it's all the better for it. 


I overheard someone ask B about how things have been, specifically for him, since Story was born. His answer surprised (and punched) me.  He said something to the effect of, "this time around, it's easier for me because i know my role".  so that got me thinking........  hmmm, I suppose when we had Tag, I was doing a lot of the so called "work," because I was nursing.  I'm a tiny bit of a control freak, so if I try to remember into the hazy details, I guess I didn't leave a lot for Brentley to do, because I was happy to do it all-- my way, of course.  I wanted tag changed and fed, my way.  I wanted him put to sleep, my way or in my time, because I obviously had everything figured out *HA*(that's sarchasm for thoes who don't read sarchasm well).  And, maybe some of that isn't completely wrong, i mean, i was the one reading the baby books *HA.*  But in hindsight, I'm thankful for my sweet husband's patience with me while I learned the ins and outs of being a mother to a baby, and how to share responsibility instead of hoard it. 


I really do think, with infants, the mother does have the upper hand.  But once the babies become the slightest bit independent (eating solids, sitting up or crawling), the dad's role does begin to take a clearer shape.  I'm not saying here that dad's don't have a role with tiny infants, they absolutely do.  I mean, if I want Story to smile really big, all I have to do is just get B over to talk to her.  She absolutely lights up.... she literally smiles on demand for him.  and diaper changes, B can whip a diaper on and off and button up a onsie in no time flat.  if there is an opportunity for B to feed Story, he's on it.  He's nothing short of a terrific, loving, silly, and God honoring daddy to both of our kids (and husband to me).  But, with babies, Mama's do kind of have a speical VIP type role.


[STAGE RIGHT, enter the season of toddler hood + infant].  But, life is different now from when we first embarked on parenthood.  Since Tag began to gain his independence about a year ago, Brentley and I have entered a season of real joint parenthood.  we make decisions about bedtime, meals, clothes, baths, kinds of diapers, what works, what doesn't, and last but not least, and possibly the most important, discipline.  I'm sure we jointly decide on a billion other things, but these are the ones off the top of my head.  And, because we have an infant (of which even the sweetest and easiest, like Story, still take a lot of time and attention), B takes up ANY slack at any chance he can to help with Tag, while I pull my special mommy card out for a few months more to tend to Story.  Or, vise versa when I need to put in some QT with Tag.


Some days are so super awesome that I just wish a reality TV camera was following us around to capture how adorable our kids are and how awesome our day was as a happy family of 4.  Other days end with rough "witching hours," a completely wrecked house, a reflection of some sort of potty incident gone awry, and two big gulps of niquil (best sleep aid ever).  And combined, those days made up the end of our 4th year of marriage together.  They have been the sweetest, most awesome, most hilariously disgusting, faith producing, heart-full-of-joyfulness-so-much-so-I-want-to-cry days.  PRAISE BE to our Lord who has seen fit to put us here together!  I look forward to our continued life together as husband and wife and parents to our beautiful sweet babies. 


Brentley, if you're reading this, I love, love, love you.  I don't deserve you.  You make my world go-round.  You make my heart jump and laugh and sometimes stop.  You are an answer to prayer, and gift from God, and the cutest baby maker EVER.

@ the biltmore estate in asheville NC on May 4, 2012.

Happy 4 years, my love.  Here's to SO many more!         

the good, the bad, and the yucky.

GOOD:i always dread cleaning my bathroom because no matter how hard i scrubbed that tub, it was still gross.  but this time, i used the mr. clean magic eraser for the bathroom, and it worked MIRACLES.  we have those not-tile tubs... i guess they are plastic?  they are in a lot of newer town homes and apartments especially.  anyway, the bottom of the tub gets super dirty if you do things like wash your dog in it, or your husband likes to fish or play disc golf and get super dirty and then shower in it.  normal things, you know?  anyway, even though i would clean it, it never looked clean.  until my cleaning guru lindsey recommended these things.  i bet they would do something crazy awesome to gross tile too!  yay for mr. clean.  go get some!   


BAD: tag got the infamous "hand, foot, and mouth disease" this past week.  no idea how he got it since no other kids have it that we know of.  he's been quarantined, and it's been yucky.  he got a fever first, and then he stopped taking bottles, sippy cups, or eating.  that's how i knew something was up--quick! tag NEVER turns down food!  anyway, turns out he had the sores in his mouth.  i didn't even think to wrestle him to the ground to look in there?  thankfully it came on close to the weekend, so i went ahead and took him to the doctor (previous lesson learned-- never go into the weekend with an unexplained fever).  anyway, he was a pitiful thing all weekend because the doctor prescribed benadryl(hello sleep!).  today he's taken a turn for the better eating more and drinking more water (still hardly any milk).  except that tonight,(this is the YUCKY) while he was taking a bath, he pooped big time and it wasn't that kind you could just fish out.  i'll leave it at that.  anyway, good thing i have that mr. clean scrubber eh?  oh and did i mention a little bit after his second bath, he accidentally vomited on me?  ew!  

oh, but there is more GOOD:  i just found out that instant netflix does have a bunch of other thomas the train shows.  we've watched "hero of the rails" about a million times, so you can imagine my excitement.  perfect timing too, since tag has been pretty clingy, sickly, (but super cuddly) this weekend.  oh, and i noticed that "the wonder years" is on instant view too!  woo hoo!!!

and more BAD:  i started really poking around pintrest because a bunch of my cool facebook girl friends have "friended" me on pintrest.  i was like, "wait, i know i don't have anything cool on there so let me go see what they would want to follow me for??"  and then i started pinning.  and now, i'm in need of some genius to create an app to help me with my lack of discipline on the internet.  it's simple: blogs--pinterest--facebook.  i need someone to create a timer so that i can't spend more than 20 minutes on each a day.  it's fun, and it gets my creative juices flowing, but last night i dreamed that i actually did some projects from pinterest, and i woke up completely exhausted.  like i had done a marathon or something.  BOO!!!

but always still, more GOOD: my friend had her triplets boys on august 24th.  i couldn't even fathom it, but then i went to help her around the house and take her a meal the other day, and it kind of made me want multiples!?  (shhhh...don't tell b!) in the span of 3-4 hours i got to feed each baby and change several tiny baby diapers.  i forgot how precious tiny babies are!  things were a bit chaotic since she has a 2 and 4 year old also, but still... it was so amazing to see how God can grow 3 babies in a woman and then have her live to tell about it.   

it is furthermore encouraging to see how my dear friend has embraced this season, and how she's not complaining one bit!  i needed this reality check, fo sho!  with a second baby coming, i already see the ways in which i could easily fall into discontentment and complaining.  i like my house to be tidy(ish), and i don't like baby stuff everywhere.  b and i already struggle to get time together.  we have begun the heavy task of disciplining tag, and i can see that it will be a perfectly matched daily challenge between parents and child.  oh, and i'm having a girl! 

this is TERRIFYING.  and AWESOME.  but for real, it's heavy.  having a boy was a fun and an easy thing to accept--because who doesn't love being a mommy to a baby boy??. except for the fact that one day i'll likely be an MIL, but i have time to accept that, right?? 

anyway, knowing ahead of time that i'm to have a girl, just makes me anxious to be so much better than i am.  she's going to have me to look up to, you know?  i mean, i know that i can teach her how to throw a softball from center field to home plate, and how to bump/set/spike a volleyball. i can teach her how to dribble a basketball and how to shoot a free throw.  i can even teach her to snowboard!  basically, how to be a tom boy (that should keep the boys away for a little longer, right?) 

i can pass down all my favorite girlhood books like the anne of green gables series (what's left of them after tag's toilet adventures), and everything by jane austen, louisa may alcott, and stephanie meyer (JK on stephanie!!!!).  then when she's older, i can do girly things, too, like show her how to shape her eyebrows and pick out make up that doesn't look too made up.  BUT, the question is, can i teach her important things like self confidence, modesty, ambition, and can i adequately model to her how to love Jesus??  can i teach her selflessness and compassion?  can i show her what a loving wife and mother looks like?  can i teach her discipline!?  gosh, if there is one practical gift i want to give to all of my kids it's this darned thing i lack myself.  guess that means i better wrap it up.  these 20 minutes are up, and things are starting to get heavy! ;)    

Welcome to Toddlerhood!

This weekend I lost my crockpot to a sticky fingered, tippy toe reaching, toddler.  Great timing huh, with fall/winter around the corner?  He reached between the fridge and the counter and pulled the electrical cord until the entire thing came down onto my dark hardwood floor.  By God's grace, he did not get hurt, but the super heavy stoneware bowl broke into a lot of tiny pieces.  The stoneware was so heavy it chopped up my hardwood floor in several places.  I was in the shower when this happened, so B got to experience that scare.  I'm sad to report though, that this has not taught Tag one single lesson in reaching for things or the dangers in the kitchen, etc.   

Once Tag began pulling up, I put locks on our cabinets.  It's taken roughly 3 months, and he's figured out how to get past them.  We haven't gotten around to putting knobs on our kitchen cabinets yet, so I can't use the other safety thingy's yet.  I guess I'm going to have to gate off the kitchen, because my current method doesn't last long.  His target cabinet is the garbage.  SO GROSS.  

Also, this kid is like a shark.  The teeth keep on coming!  Can you see the molars on the bottom right of his mouth in the picture below?  You can even see the molars on the left bulging.  Poor kid! 

 

He's happy almost all the time until you tell him "NO," which is what was going on in this photo (he was trying to bite my leg which is what he does sometimes when I tell him no).  I'm trying not to wear out the word, but he continuously goes back to the "no" items... bookshelves and the dog bowl.  Occasionally, he'll pull the cable box and DVD player from the TV cabinet which is also a "no."  The other "no" that I'm so tired of saying already is about electrical outlets and my computer.  GAH!  Sometimes, I want to throw a tantrum when I have to say the dreaded word, because I'm tired of it too!  We also pop Tag's hand if he disobeys when we tell "no."  Usually, it doesn't even phase him, and occasionally he smiles and laughs if we don't use the right tone with him, and other times when he's tired and we get the tone just right he seems emotionally traumatized.  Meanwhile, I'm reading Shepherding a Child's Heart, and will probably have it on repeat for the next 20 years.