Grandparent's Day!

Today is the official Grandparent's Day. My calender has been reminding me all year long. We are so very thankful for our grandparents, and especially Mill's grandparents. We are so lucky to have such wonderful parent's that make the BEST grandparents for Mills. We do our best, even with our oh-so-busy lives to make sure that he gets to see them as much as possible, even though it's still not enough for us or them, I'm sure. Grandparents are very important, because without them, we would not have the guidance that we have had for raising our son. We believe that it is of utmost importance for Mills to know them and be around them as much as possible and our time here with family is very limited and all in God's timing. So, to our parents, our Mills' grandparents, we LOVE YOU TONS! Thank you for being there for us during all of the hustle and bustle of busy lives, and for loving us and our Mills. Today, we made 3 very quick, but special deliveries to Mills' grandparents.

Grandparents are everything nice

Like presents and candy and raspberry ice.

And chocolate fudge sundaes, with cherries on top,

and popcorn and peanuts, and grape soda pop.

In winter or summer, in rain or in sun,

Grandparents are wonderful fun!

Calling Geese

He's practicing! Now, if I can just get him to actually blow! I guess it's okay as long as he thinks he's doing right. Right? I'm not sure his "calling" will bring any geese in, but he sure is trying!

It Should Have Been a Monday

I get up at the crack of dawn during the week. It's good to be up and ready before Mills wakes. Knowing that he is all that I have to tend to makes things easier. So, I get as much done as possible before bed each night and before he wakes each morning. Some days I have to wake him up.

Knowing that I have only a two and a half day work week made it much easier to "rise and shine" this morning. So, up at my usual 4;30-5:00 (no making fun!), I headed straight to my coffee pot to pour my first cup of coffee, only to realize that I had forgotten to set it last night. Go figure. It should have been a Monday. Trying to wake up, I grabbed my clean pot out of the dishwasher, a filter, and my coffee, making my usual 4-5 cups, and as I walked off, couldn't figure out why in the world there was more coffee going down the sides of the pot and onto the counter, than into the pot itself. Oh wait! I forgot to put the basket in the maker before putting in the filter. That would explain why the filter was sagging through the top. Go figure! It should have been a Monday.

Keep in mind, it is 4:40 in the morning. Who is up at 4:40am? Seriously! This morning, I was quick to find out that I was not the only person up at 4:40 in the morning. My house phone rang. Erik is at work, and so I'm thinking, "What is this? What is wrong?" Answering the phone, my lovely hubby on the other end says, "Hey." I said, "What is wrong?" He replied with, "I got hurt in a fire, and am at Baptist East." My heart sank, along with my stomach. "What do you mean you got hurt in a fire?" I said. He quickly assured me that he was okay, and that he had hurt his arm. Apparently at this morning's apartment fire, a beam fell, hit him in the head, and when he fell, it landed on his arm, pinning him down. His helmet did it's job, but still "rang his bell." He was then waiting on an x-ray and CT scan to make sure all was okay, and told me that he would call me back as soon as he heard something. "I'm fine! You don't need to come down." So, I hung up, turned on the TV, and what do you know...Channel 5 had "breaking news."Apartment fire injures two firefighters sending one to the hospital in non-critical condition." If they said it once, and showed the clip, they said it 1000 times this morning and at lunch. I sent a text message to "E" and said, "Congratulations! You have just given my my first heart attack and made the news all in one morning."

A few minutes later, Erik called to let me know that his x-ray and CT scan came back clear and that he was being released with no limitations. Now, THAT'S what I wanted to hear! He also let me know that Channel 3 said that he was going to be okay. I'm sure he was glad to hear that! I am thankful that he is at home with us tonight and am counting my blessings that he is suffering only from a severely bruised arm. It could have been much worse. I think he is more worried about his battered leather prized possession helmet! It is a little bit "crooked" on his head. ha! We'll just call it a war mark! Like I said, it should have been a Monday.

What's the Deal?

Mills wakes up every morning anywhere from 6:30-7:00. I know it is probably because I have to get him up and take him to Mimi's house before work. So, his little internal alarm must be set to those times. On the weekends, he will wake up, have his milk and breakfast and play for about an hour or so and then, he starts getting cranky and rubbing his eyes. So, I put him back in his crib, and he will sleep for at least 2 hours. Is this normal? It's like he wakes up, but is not really "done" with his nigh time sleep, but wakes up anyway. He never wakes up and goes back to sleep. So, I always end up going upstairs to get him, change his diaper, and bring him back downstairs for the start of the day; only to find myself putting him back down around 9:30ish. He takes an afternoon nap (most of the time) too. Usually around 1:30 or 2:00. How many of your kids still took 2 naps at age 1? I guess his little body just gets worn out with a little bit of stimulation?

Just a little bit o' Enthusiasm!

One of my favorite times of the year is finally here and I am hoping for no disappointing Saturdays this year....ahem....NO comments from the peanut gallery please!
The hardest thing for me today is figuring out which orange outfit I am going to select from my orange wardrobe.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know...

*this post is for Miss Lane :)!
Our elf isn't here...yet! It's way to hot for him to be here so soon, but we wanted to make sure that we got ahead of the game. He will appear just as your elf does, but when? We have no clue, but can't wait to meet him. Yesterday, we actually just "adopted" him by signing the necessary paperwork and requests, and registered him at the North Pole's elf registry in hopes that he will show up! We can't wait to meet "Ollie" (*yes we chose a name for Mills) the elf! We'll be sure to let you know when or IF he comes!

We've Adopted...

the Elf on the Shelf. I know it's only August, but what to do? This mom wants to use him this Christmas, but is in dilemma of a name. Should we use him nameless, and wait until Mills' is old enough to name him? Or....should we just go ahead, give him a name, and let it be? I know...Mills' won't have a clue, but its all in the fun, this little elf and the magic he'll do! A new tradition we'll start this year along with the first annual reading of The Night Before Christmas on New Years Eve. Christmas will be in here in 4 months. When does your elf usually arrive? I think "Ollie" is a good name, and Erik agrees, because it is short for "Oliver." What do you think?

First Football Game

Mills and I traveled to his first football game last night at BHS. No, I'm NOT trading in my purple and gold, even though my son will probably never see the halls of CHS, but last night, we rooted for the red. We actually went to watch cousin Rylee cheer. She is really awesome!
Mills was so good. He stayed in it from start to finish with the help of a few board books, a musical toy, and lots of strawberry/apple puffs. He clapped when we clapped, and had no idea what was going on, but seemed enthused anyway.

Playtime & Homemade Ice Cream

Tonight, we went to enjoy a spread of sandwiches and finger foods and homemade ice cream at Mama & Daddy B's house. Mills got to try an assortment of new foods and had his first taste of homemade ice cream. Once again, he cleaned his plate.

Mills and Lainey had a great time playing and they are both walking like....well, almost like pros!

Sweet hugs!

Uncle E, the jungle-gym!

Lainey is excited, I wonder who was on the phone?

I wasn't fast enough to catch the kiss!

Wesley's 11th Birthday

Last night we gathered with family to celebrate the birthday of our cousin, Wesley! His actual birthday is Monday, August 23. Hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, rotel, and more goodies filled us up and were topped off by the amazing cake made by his aunt, Courtney.

The big surprise after swimming, his present....a DRUM SET!

Wow! Maybe he will teach Mills to play....or not, I'm not sure if I want drums in my house. I'll just tell Mills he has to go to Kay-Kay's house! I think Erik want to stick to the guitar. Maybe they'll start a band one day. Look, he's already teaching Mills!
Wesley, we can't believe you are 11 years old. You have always been such a sweet, tender and kind hearted young man, and for that, we are proud of you. I hope that Mills will grow up with a heart as big as yours! We love you!