Broken bone and double ear infections

It's been a rough weekend for this little man! Wednesday afternoon he went to dr where she confirmed he did have ear infections. Tubes are helping a lot with the draining.


Then on Friday night sweet boy was playing in the front yard and took a pretty awkward fall. Poor thing broke his collar bone. Breaks my heart!


Lots of cuddles and extra loving this weekend.

Belly shot and football games

22 weeks

We tailgated last weekend before the MSU vs S Alabama game. Poor Jones. His outfit I had him in right before we left had a stain so I quickly changed him into another outfit. I misread the weather, apparently. It was hot. He was in a long sleeve shirt. And, as we would later discover, Jones was suffering from a double ear infection.

He still had fun and was a trooper through it all. He loves yelling Go Bulldogs!

Side note: it's fun being 4-0! We haven't been this good since 1999. Goodness knows we were terrible When I was in school.

He was out on the way to Starkville

White out game!

Sister picture at the tailgate

Sundays

After church - Sept. 23

Sunday's look different now for my family than they did just a few months ago. Trey leaves for church around 7:00, is robed for both services with Sunday School in between. He comes home for lunch and to help with naptime, then leaves again at 3:00 and comes home after youth that night, usually around 7:00, sometimes later.

This used to stress me out. I don't know why Sunday mornings can be stressful. I guess I feel the need to look put together and have Jones looking good and happy.

It can be exhausting, trying to fool everyone.

I have this pre-conceived notion that preachers wives should look and act a certain way. I do not fit that mold. This fact used to stress me out. Especially thinking about our future when Trey is an ordained Methodist minister. I think back to the preachers wives on my church growing up and our previous churches as a married couple. They have it together. I don't!

But I am learning to change that attitude. I am trying to be myself and not let Sundays stress me out.

I am starting to enjoy the one-on-one time with Jones. And I try not to fret about small things on Sunday mornings.

This past Sunday I didn't even shower before church. I doubt anyone even noticed.....or cared.

Trying to enjoy this season of our life and focus on the fact that God has brought us to this place for a purpose. And I doubt that purpose is for me to fit the "preachers wife" mold.

What would Big Mama do?

We are finishing up week #1 with Big Mama as Jones' teacher.

And I think it's love.

Jones talks about Ms. Linda at home and even asks to go to school so he can hug her.

I would like to hug her too.  I mean, who wouldn't want to snuggle up to a 250 pound sweet lady of love?


She told Trey this morning that on "Sunday morning, as she was listening to the word of God, she prayed and prayed for precious little Jones. She couldn't stop praying for that sweet boy. And she knows the Lord listened. He loves the little children."

Precious Big Mama. 

We sometimes find ourselves at night needing Big Mama when Jones is proving to us that he, in fact, has a stronger will than both of us combined.

In the middle of one of Jones' moods last night, after trying everything we could think of, I blurted out with great force and enthusiasm - "JONES! What would Ms. Linda do???"

It kinda worked.  The boy has respect for Big Mama.

Sweet bedtime stories

Good morning, Goodnight

Goodnight, Gorilla

God is with Me through the Night

Three of his favorites. All have animals involved, of course.

Ribbons and bows birthday party

We celebrated Noelle Adams first birthday with a sweet, very girly party on Saturday.

Kristen may be an OBGYN by profession, but the girl has serious talent for party planning!
It was a gorgeous party.

My necklace was much more interesting

Sweet family

Gorgeous (and delicious) cake

Not so sure about her crown

Precious big brother watching her love the icing

Only picture I have of wild man at the party.  After he ate his sandwich, he was back outside running around like a maniac! He had so much fun!

Gorgeous set-up

Halfway there

Can't believe I am 21 weeks already.  I say that every week, but I still feel like we just found out baby #2 was on its way.

I had my 20 week check-up this morning.  Everything looks perfect. Praise God! They looked at the chambers of the heart, the brain, nasal cavity, kidneys, etc.  It never ceases to amaze me.  It is truly a miracle.

I have never recorded a pregnancy using this little survey, but thought it would be fun to look back on.  So here we go:

Typical.  Eating a yummy cupcake at Noelle Adams' 1st birthday party on Saturday.

Due Date: Feb. 3, 2013

How Far Along: 20 weeks, but  baby is measuring 21

Total Weight Gained: 15 - more than I wish at this point (I gained 9 the first trimester)

Maternity Clothes: Yes. And I need to go shopping for more.

Sleep: Good! I get up to go to the bathroom once or twice, but am able to fall back asleep quickly.  I am always exhausted by 9:00 pm.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing sweet Anna this morning and knowing that all looked perfectly normal and healthy.

Food Cravings: Last night I was watching a movie and they were eating pancakes and I seriously wanted some, which is random for me.

Food Aversions: I eat it all

Belly button/stretch marks: In/no stretch marks. I remained an innie with Jones and had no stretch marks, so hoping for the same with this one.  My mom and sister had zero too, so I am counting on those good genes.

Symptoms: Lack of energy and constant hunger. I do get heartburn some.  All three totally normal!

Movement: All the time.  She doesn't really kick, she just moves . She is super low, so I am constantly running to the bathroom.


Gender: Girl - Anna Joy

Milestones: Halfway through this pregnancy!

Big Mama

Jones is a little.... ummm... wild.

Active? Energetic? Spirited? Full of life? Call it what you will. He is an above average two year old boy in terms of wildness.

Sweet boy. I love that he is full of life. I don't want to crush that little (big) spirit.

But we are trying to control it a bit. His teachers at school have had some issues and the sweet director of the school has expressed some concern.

At school, he has trouble listening, following directions and taking naps. He doesn't even sit still to eat. He is a bit destructive.

Sweet thing prefers to run and tackle at all times.

At any rate, he has been moved out of his class. Yesterday they moved him to another classroom where the thirteen-year veteran teacher has a reputation for structure in her classroom.

Trey met with his new teacher, Mrs. Linda, this morning.

Please picture a bigger grandmother-esq black lady. The type that sings gospel hymns loudly and will hit you with a Bible should you act out of line in church. That's his new teacher.

She told Trey this morning:

"I love children and I love serving the Lord. I have observed Jones for weeks now. I have two conclusions: 1) the child needs structure and 2) the child needs a haircut. "

I have to laugh. Right?

Trey and I now call her Big Mama. ( but not in front of jones who repeats anything he hears these days)

Needless to say, he is getting his hair cut Monday morning. And we are doing all we can at home to provide discipline and structure. Even as far as no TV, added sugar, additives, etc.

We all, including Jones, are enjoying our meals together as a family...eating the same thing at the same time....around the dinner table.

So it has it's positive sides, right?

He said it was a rabbit.

Can't help but feel a little guilt. The kids been through a lot this year: 4 houses, if you count our live-in with my parents, me going back to work and three schools with a total of four different teachers. That's a lot for a little man.

I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty. My daily mantra.

On a positive side: he is hilarious. And his speech is improving. He loves animals something fierce. The kid knows even obscure animals and their sounds. And he can count! For a while he would say B, S, W, O instead of 1,2,3,4. No clue. But now he can count to twelve by himself, twenty with some help.

I am proud of my wild man.



What? His hair is long?

A visit with Uncle Adam and Melinda

Last weekend Adam and Melinda came for a visit...our first visit since Christmas! Long overdue.

Jones was in heaven and either flirted with Melinda or hugged on their dog Tripp the whole time.

We hate living so far away from them. We are planning a trip to go to Louisiana soon!

I kinda want her to move in

My sweet mom. Bless her.

Trey has been out of town this week for a planning meeting so my wonderful mom and dad came and stayed with Jones and me.

Side note: if I have trouble getting one child to school in Columbus and me to work in Starkville by 8:00, how in the world am I to do it with two? Already dreading when Trey leaves town again!

Anyway, its no secret that I struggle with having nutritious meals planned and prepared for my family during the week. When I get home around 5:40 if nothing was planned, we eat junk.
These moms that meal plan, coupon and cook ever night of the week all while working full time AND keeping up with the laundry are my heroes. For real.

My mom is one of those heroes. She worked once we all were in school yet there was almost always a healthy meal for dinner each night. And out house was always clean. Wonder woman, I tell you.

She is trying to rub off on me. And I am hoping it works. Last night after jones went to bed, my mom made about 6 homemade freezer ready meals plus she ground meat and shredded chicken for our freezer. She even made the cream of chicken and mushroom from scratch. No can stuff here.

We are trying to cut out additives in Jones' diet (more on that later) so my sweet mom was helping us kick start that goal by using real food.

Amazing. I don't have to cook or plan for like two weeks. Amazing.

I hope one day I am able to help my children in even a small portion of how much she has helped me and my sisters through the years. She is the most selfless person I know. I would be even more of a nut case without her keeping me grounded.

Thank you, mama! We love you so!

Lita hard at work.  And yes, I mostly sat at the bar and observed. 

Happy birthday, Trey!

Trey's birthday was Wednesday, but since Wednesday nights are work/church night, we all got together on Tuesday to celebrate his birth!

I didn't see him on his actual birthday until about 9:45 that night, but Jones and I had balloons and yummy cake balls delivered to his office. We can celebrate even if not together, right?

Trey chose a true mans meal for his birthday dinner- grilled steaks, baked potatoes, caesar salad, with bread and turtle cookies with vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was delicious!

 Happy birthday, dear Trey. We adore you so!

Jones loves his "baby girl"!

Henry made Trey's birthday gift. Sweet boy

Wild boys on my kitchen counter

Action shot!

Looking very pregnant (already)

cousins

Henry - Kindergarten, 5 1/2
Jones - 28 months
Noelle Adams - 4 days shy of turning ONE!

I love these three so much. Always wild when they get together.
Can't wait to add baby Anna to the mix. Cousins make the best of friends!

Elephants, tigers, and zebras!

We spent Labor Day at the Memphis zoo and had the best time. It may have only enhanced Jones' deep fascination with animals. Last night he slept with a stuffed alligator, lion, and rabbit and a plastic zebra, cow, and horse. The kid knows what he likes. And what he likes is an animal.

He was hilarious the whole day. He would yell "what animal dat?!" then before we could answer he would say "oh! Dat a monkeeeeee" (or lion or tiger or whatever it was.) He would then proceed to make the appropriate animal sounds, my favorite being the elephant. He would literally run from exhibit to exhibit. Bless his heart.

When it was time to take a break and eat lunch, we made the mistake a choosing a shady picnic table next to the carousel. Jones wanted nothing to do with food. So trey and I took turns riding the carousel while the other ate lunch. He was too excited to eat, sleep or slow down.

Sweet baby fell asleep at 6:30 last night.

Love fun family days and love long weekends!

Baby Anna's first trip to the zoo!

This was his "cheese" face!

He kept saying "wake up bear!"

It was a hot day!