Friday, August 28, 2009

A Random Anderson Post

Can I tell you how much I love this little boy who is growing up so fast before our very eyes! Now don't get me wrong- he has become very challenging and we are battling whining and being a bit too demanding, but for the most part he responds well to our "reminders" to drop those nasty habits...having said all of that- his little personality has just blossomed. There isn't a day that goes by where he doesn't crack us up with some comment!

Aunt Susan and Uncle Todd gave Anderson this adorable little "shaving set" for his birthday. He loves "playing Daddy" in the bathtub now!!


The other day Jeff brought him home from school at lunch and they passed the garbage debris truck, which was headed to our street. Anderson ran in to tell me it was coming, and I set up a little snack for him in front of the front door so he could watch them work. A few weeks ago I purchased a box set of DVDs from Target called "Mighty Machines" He LOVES it! If you have a boy- you need these DVD's! There is one on diggers/bulldozers, rescue cars, boats, and airplanes I think...anyway- he loves them!


Anderson has been waiting to turn "fwee" (three) so he can get his own library card in his name. We took care of that last week- and for those of you who think I am crazy to take pictures of that- just remember I was an English teacher for eight years prior to having children. His love of reading is something I will gladly celebrate any day! ;-)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Lydia Walks!

I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago. I took it on August 10th when Lydia began taking her first "for real" steps. She is now walking a lot more steadily, so I'll have to post a new video soon. I love this one though because in the background you can hear Anderson cheering her on!! So cute!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Nana and Pop

Last weekend we packed up the car and braved a 4 hour car ride to see Nana and Pop (Jeff's Parents). We had a great weekend that included Anderson's first fish!! Jeff took him fishing once before, but they didn't catch anything. This time though he lucked up and got his first fish!! I know it meant a lot to Pop to see him catch it!
We also spent lots of time loving on and letting Nana love on the kids. She played with Lydia and read Anderson lots of his favorite books!

We even ventured out Saturday morning to a nearby town that has a children's science museum. Both kids loved exploring a new place. Enjoy the pictures!


Friday, August 14, 2009

School Days...

Guess who had her VERY first day of school on Thursday?? This precious little sweet cheeks pictured below- that's who!

On our first morning- we are ready and even have our lunchbox packed!
Lydia with her fabulous teachers- Mrs. Lassiter and Mrs. Johnson

Storytime!!



Snacktime!
I just love when you can actually see God working all things for the good in your life in a practical everyday way. I think it serves as a constant reminder that even though he is a BIG God, he cares about all the little details in our lives. This past couple of weeks have been a great example of that for our household.

For those of you that may read this and don't know me-I'm not the most laid back mom. I recognize this about myself and try not to be uptight all the time, but I generally tend to be pretty involved and over the top where my children are concerned- anyone else out there?? :-)

ANYWAY- When Anderson got ready to go to school I researched every possible option in our city. I visited many of these places when I was pregnant because the waiting lists for the really good schools are notoriously long. To make a long story short I made my choice and it took him two years to get in part-time. In the meantime I sent him for a year to another school that I also loved and knew would be a great fit for us. Well, Lydia wasn't able to get into Anderson's school until she turns two- so I was left with the same predicament- where will I put her for the year prior??

Several friends of mine recommended a small school for their Mom's Morning Out Program and last winter I went to take a tour and meet the director. I was impressed with the facility and the director was incredible. She was a perfect balance of warm, but also very organized and a visible leader. Well, fast forward to last month and we find out she has left and there is a new director along with a few new teachers. I had a knot in my stomach. I just knew bad things were coming, but I tried to think positive.

Well, 2 weeks ago Jeff and I attended the Open House and it was a DISASTER! The director was not there and neither were lots of the teachers- a miscommunication had apparently occurred, but it left us feeling like we were boarding a sinking ship. I could have vomited right then and there! We are so used to Anderson being at such a wonderful school- this was new territory! I didn't sleep for two days. This was Thursday and she was supposed to start on Monday. There was no way to get her in anywhere else- she would have had to be on those waiting lists months ago. I leaned towards just skipping the whole thing and keeping her home with me another year. However- I know she needs to interact with other children and have a more structured schedule. I can't offer that at home! So we decided to go on Monday, but not leave her. Just take her to play for an hour or so while I filled out some paperwork (I had asked four times that it be mailed to me- again with the disorganization). Monday as I drive up I notice the "Ones", Lydia's class sitting under a tree in the front of the school. There was no gated area to keep the kids from wondering and it was about 10:30 and 100 degrees outside. There were also no blankets...these kids were literally sitting in the dirt. I knew right then and there this was not going to happen...

So, long story short- We made some calls and begged for some mercy and were able to get her in at a wonderful school downtown. It is a super small program, so they couldn't take her on the same days as Anderson. She will go on opposing days. Not ideal-since it means I will have ZERO time without at least one child with me, but compared to our alternatives it was the best option.

I attended their Open House and could have cried tears of joy by the time I left. It was an incredible school! Her teachers were a woman who retired in May from teaching kindergarten and a woman that had been teaching the ones at this school for 10 years! How great is that! These ladies were not there for a paycheck- they really want to be there with these sweet kiddos! The former teacher cracks me up- I call her Mrs. Claus! She has one of those southern drawls from South Alabama or Georgia. I could listen to her talk FOREVER! She had Lydia in a fit of giggles in about 2.5 seconds and this momma felt MUCH better!


And...to top it off I get to spend lots of time alone with this wild man! And on a side note (this entry is turning out to be WAY longer than I intended!)- he flipped out the morning we took her to school. I was so concerned about her being upset that it never crossed my mind that he may miss his sister terribly. As I was getting her lunch packed he told me over and over that they didn't have highchairs at her school and that she would get hungry so we should just let her stay home with us! How sweet is that? When I dropped her off and got her settled we went back to the car and he cried for about 10 minutes asking me to turn around and go get her. Throughout the morning he asked several times if it was time to pick her up yet- what a sweet boy! I hope he always loves his sister this much. I know they will bicker and fight, but I want them to be close. Yesterday gave me hope that we are doing a good job of instilling that in him!

So lesson learned- even though I was mad and bitter about having to find a school under such pressured and last minute circumstances God worked it for our good and she is in a wonderful environment where I won't worry. And while I was lamenting that they were on opposing days God showed me that a little one on one time may be exactly what my children need from me right now. :-)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

12 months...a little late

12 Month Stats:

22 lbs 8 oz. (75th percentile) and 28 1/2 inches tall (25th percentile)


What Lydia is up to lately:
**** You are taking lots of steps and really enjoy walking. However, crawling is still your preferred method of getting around if you really want something. You took those first few important steps at your birthday party (just like your brother did at his). You walked to your Pop (Jeff's Dad).

****You are saying very plainly "Atticus" (our dog's name). You say it with a long and dramatic A like this: AAAAHHHH- cus. You are also saying "an-son" for your brother's name. You have lots of other little words that you spit out left and right, but we aren't sure what they mean yet!

****You are very vocal when you want something. I guess you will inherit my verbal skills (in other words you are going to be loud like your Momma) :-)

****You love food! You eat like a crazy person and cry when you are all done! You also don't want us cutting things into small pieces anymore. You always grab for the big piece that we are cutting off from. Your favorites are bananas and blueberry nutragrain bars!
****We turned your car seat around to face forward. You love being able to see out and watch movies with your brother on longer rides!
****You started Mom's Morning Out this week. You are going on two days a week and love it! You didn't even cry on the first day! Mommy was so proud of you!
We love you so much Baby Sister!!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Andersonisms

Below is a little clip of my sweet, perfect little angel trying to manipulate Mommy and Daddy to get his way! Ha! He has started this whole scheme to delay bedtime by acting like he is starving and needs "A wittle snack". Lately he has started faking illness...a cold or in this case a fever...who knew a cheese sandwich could cure a fever?? :-)

Another little funny: Today we were at the Galleria in Birmingham doing a little back to school shopping and Jeff had gotten up to get something. A woman walked by and asked if we needed the extra chair at our table. I replied that my husband was sitting there and would be back in a minute. Anderson looked at me and said- "I didn't know you had one of those Mommy- what's his name". The lady and I both laughed as I explained that my husband was his Daddy! :-)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The McWane Center

Last Saturday we loaded up the kids and took a mini-trip to Birmingham to the McWane Science Center. We have been once before with my best friend Ashley and her two kiddos and I just never got around to posting the pics! so here is one...

Anyway...Anderson LOVED it. So I knew he would enjoy seeing it all over again with Daddy and Baby Sister this time. It is a 3 floor Children's Interactive Museum. Everything is Hands-On and Anderson's little mechanical brain goes into overdrive when we are there! He asks a million questions, and I love seeing his little brain absorbing all of that new information!

Of course we had to check out the brand new Shark/Stingray Exhibit.

Leaning in for a closer look! LOL!


Sister also loved the water floor. She was so animated when pointing at the fish that I am pretty sure if let in that tank she would have caught one with her own two hands!




Then we headed over to the water table...another of Anderson's favorite spots.

Lydia, meanwhile was playing in a "baby" area and decided to clap for herself after climbing this little block!


Here are a few shots of Anderson playing with the giant Lite Brite!


This thing was so cool. You stand still and the "butterflies" land on you and stay put.


Checking out the gigantic turtle fossil

My little Paleontologist getting ready to dig for Dinosaur bones. He insisted on putting the goggles on himself!


Touching the "touchable tornado" in the weather center

Daddy's face! Ha!

And Anderson's face when we told him it was time to go home! :-(

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Wedding...

I am a little late in posting this, but the bride is still on her honeymoon in Hawaii- so I'm not THAT late! HA! My youngest sister Marcie was married on Sat. July 25th in Birmingham. It was a fun weekend once we got up there, but a lot of work on the front and back end (packing for a family of four to stay in a hotel room for 2 nights). The whole weekend was perfect and everything went off without a hitch!

Well, unless you count the ring bearer (Anderson) RUNNING down the aisle while he giggled loudly. He actually passed me about 3/4 of the way down; he then somehow managed to bypass the babysitter and run up on the stage. He was supposed to be lead into an adjacent room right after his walk as not to be a distraction during the actual ceremony. He obviously had other plans. After some coaxing, a death look and strong grip from me he went willingly just before Auntie M walked down the aisle. Thank God! I'm not sure Auntie "M" even knows that happened, but she will when she reads this. :-)

Me, Sister Jennifer, Sister Marcie, Mom and my step-dad Mike
Three Sisters

At my mom's that morning for brunch. Aren't the roes Marcie gave us adorable??

My precious daughter, who turned one right about the time this picture was taken right before the ceremony.


She was an "honorary" flower girl since she couldn't walk yet.


Can you tell the silly mood Anderson was in?

How cool is this cake? They are mountain climbers...like real mountains- as in they usually need oxygen. I thought this groom's cake was so funny!

The yummy cake!

My personal fave- the Macaroni and Cheese station!
Marcie has always been notoriously picky about food. We have often joked that she can sustain life on chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and Diet Mtn. Dew. The only person more picky than her is Justin! So for their reception they had sort of Americana cuisine...mini hamburgers, fried, rice, chips and salsa, etc...it was so them!

Appetizers



Several of Marcie's friends have gotten married recently and they have performed what they call "The girlfriend dance" at the receptions...even the mom's have learned the dance...it was so cute!


Marcie also had a special Birthday song played for Lydia since it was actually her birthday!

Daddy with his baby girl

What a cute shot!

Getting ready to leave...




...and they lived Happily Ever After!