It's Fall, We're Sick, and Muffin Tops

Completely normal blog title, right?

Like 95% of America, I feel that fall is my favorite season. I am over the heat and wearing too small shorts that stick to my legs. I love sweaters, hot chocolate, pumpkin candles, boots, and football. Woody feels the same way I do about boots- he has worn his almost every day.

Can you believe this little guy is sick? It is the saddest thing, but he will still give you a smile if you ask. He is sitting up. And he is trying really hard to crawl. What is his favorite thing to try to get to? His brother. I don't know why either, because this is what his brother does when he gets too close.

 

Yep, he tried to ride him like a horse. Don't worry, I stopped him as soon as I snapped a picture.

What?! Just trying to give him a hug, Ma!

And yes, this one has been sick with a nasty ear infection that kept him home from school today. He was up all night earlier this week because of it. Brooks and I were trading off comforting him, and during one of my shifts, I got in his big boy bed (that he doesn't sleep in) with him. He was tossing and turning until he finally got comfortable...on my stomach.

Now my stomach is a sensitive issue. Two little boys made themselves quite at home in there, and it doesn't look like it once did. I struggle to lose my muffin loaf top. But that night, Woody found comfort in it. The thing that I have wished would go away, my son was soothed by. And suddenly, I was so grateful for my soft stomach.

It made me think of how God works. He uses the things we hate about ourselves for His purpose. The things we are ashamed of, shape our stories. Our self-doubt, weaknesses, guilt, and shame can all be used for good. And one day, we will realize the beauty in our "ugly."

...but I still want to lose my muffin top. Seriously, slap the chocolate out of my hand.

Gaines- Six Months

Warning: Picture Overload. I don't care, it is my blog.

Woody didn't understand why he wasn't in the pictures. I am trying to let go of the perfect, so I let his sticker-covered self join in on the shot. Besides, what is more perfect than two brothers loving on each other?"

Yeah right! Gaines was like, "This is MY six month shoot! Get out, punk!"

 

...and then Gaines threw up everywhere.

Gaines Facts

• Weight: 20 lbs and 29 inches tall
• Diaper Size: 3
• Clothing: 9-12 months
• Sleep: Doing great! Usually takes 2-3 naps a day that are between 1-2 hours. He goes to bed between 6:00-7:30, wakes around 3ish, and then wakes up for good between 6:00-7:00 am. Sometimes he tries to wake-up at five, but I won't get him out of bed until 6:00. He sleeps in a sleeper with his lovey every night.
• Eat: Since starting solids we quickly moved to three times a day. I think that is why he is napping longer.  He has had rice cereal, avocado, sweet potato, pears, apples, bananas, squash, peas, and yogurt. With the exception of the rice cereal and yogurt, I have made his baby food. He loves everything so far! He still nurses, but is moving to every 3.5 hours (Hallelujah.)
• The kid has SEVEN teeth. Woody had just gotten his first tooth at six months! He has four up top and three on the bottom.
• Hair is turning a little lighter, but still has big, blue eyes.
• Doing better with sitting up, but still props himself up with his hands.
• His favorite toys are his puppy lovey and teething rings.
• Babble, babble, babble
• I know this sounds crazy, but it you stand him by the ottoman, he can hold the standing position for a little while!
• Obsessed with Woody. He could watch his brother all day. I love when they hug each other. (I know these days are numbered.)
• Smiles all the time. SO happy!
• Loves bath time. We are still bathing him in the bathroom sink, which he is WAY to big for. I bathe him right after dinner, so there are usually dishes in the kitchen sink. I think I am going to dig out Woody's baby bath tub and put it in the shower and spray him off. Or if you would like to buy us a bathtub, I will take that too ;)
• No interest in crawling.
• We still call him Peepers or Gippy more than Gaines.

Momma Tears, Preschool Update, Musuem, CheeksandPeepers Tears

Can we take a moment to appreciate single moms and military wives. Sheesh. I adore my children, and feel so lucky to be home with them, but I miss my husband! He lets me sleep in every morning while he deals with Woody (who has a 5:00 am wake-up time.) I hate the job that takes him away so much, but love that he has a job that provides us an income!

Preschool is still going well. Woody runs right in every day with no tears. I think he has a few sad moments through the day, but overall, I feel that he likes it. Believe it or not, I am already noticing some improvements with his speech. If you say "one," he will say "two." He says, "Hey Ma" and "Hey Da" all the time. If we are going somewhere, he will get his shoes and say, "shoo."

Since preschool takes up two days, we try to get out and do something somewhat fun the other three days. He really likes trying out new parks and going to Barnes and Nobles. Last Friday we went to The Children's Museum of Atlanta. We went about a year ago, and I wasn't overly impressed. However, they had a Groupon for it, so I decided to try it again. Woody really loved it, although I probably wouldn't recommend if your kid is over 4.

 Our friends, Alyssa and Watts, joined us

 I was the good mom who let her son play on the water table without an apron on. In my defense, I didn't feel like putting it on him while holding his twenty pound brother. Of course he was soaked with freezing water and walked around with his teeth chattering. 

 

They have a baby area that I convinced Woody to play in for a bit so that I could put Peepers down.

 Extremely unimpressed with the tractor

 Woody does not share my hatred of grocery shopping. Maybe I should put a toddler and a baby in that cart and see if he changes his mind.

 

Brooks was flying home that night , and we were all ready to see him. The majority of the time, my boys are pretty agreeable. But then there are times when they remind me they are only two and six months. When they both melt at the same time, I have two reactions. I either leave the room and cry too or I laugh hysterically and get out the camera.

Woody was so mad that I gave him fruit (instead of cookies) for a snack. He threw such a fit, and therefore, his biggest fan, Gaines, started crying. The more Woody cried, the harder Gaines cried. I was busy snapping away pictures with my cell phone, when I decided I wanted to document on my real camera.

But by the time I got it, Woody had stopped! So I calmly said, "You don't want fruit for you snack?" in order to get this reaction.

Mom. Of. The. Year.

Woody Goes to Preschool!

 (Disclaimer: Bad Lighting+Emotional Momma=Very Fuzzy Photos)

I don't have many words. Very much proud. A little sad.

 (Brooks could see how stressed I was that morning and was trying desperately to help me get a good shot. He is a very good husband.)

This is his favorite thing about preschool. Every morning he runs to this Thomas Number Game. He has done so good. He has never cried during drop off. His teachers say a few times a day he will ask, "Where Ma?" They let him know that I will be back, and he hugs them and runs off!

I pray that he has a great year. I want him to be good and respectful. I hope that he loves school and makes friends. I know he is only two, but I hope he is kind to others. And if he learns some letters and numbers (or any words in general), that would be awesome too.