We went to the ZOO

If you know me very well, you know that I fly by the seat of my pants.  If I make plans, it is a proven fact that I will change my mind 10 times before the event even happens.  However, if I just go with my instincts, I am liable to get more accomplished. 

Yesterday, was one of those days.

The day was so pretty outside, I just couldn't stand the thought of staying inside all day.  Sure, I could have cleaned house, but I can do that when it is freezing, or raining, or even hot.

Kevin got home around 10am and by 11:00 I was pitching the idea, "what do you think about the zoo today?"
He agreed, and by noon, we were loaded up and on our way to Tulsa.

Blayne watches a cartoon on NickJr from time to time, called "Little Bill."  He loves it, and in one episode, little Bill goes to the zoo.  I think Blayne thought that he was going to get to meet him, but all the way he would name the names of the animals.  It was SUPER CUTE.

We arrived and rode the train first, then we walked around to see the animals.  What a great thing to do with a 2.5 year old.  I didn't take my camera, but did get some shots on my iphone. 

 

 No, momma.  No pictures on the choo choo train

I am way too cool for that kid stuff.

 This is the best way to keep a 2 year

old close by when he refuses to ride.

He pushed that stroller everywhere.

 i likes the zoo too, momma

 i likes my daddy the most, though

 priceless

Dear Tots: 1

Dear Blayne and Emileigh,

Yesterday, I learned a friend of mine was going through a very difficult time.  Her daddy passed away, and left her with a lot of unanswered questions.  When your grandma Susan passed, I felt the same way.  I wanted to ask why?  Today, I wish I would have asked more.  I wish I would have asked what my first words were.  I wish I would have asked what my favorite toys were, what songs I liked, etc.

I started thinking yesterday about the questions you will have someday, and decided that I would use this blog to answer them.  I am sure in 30+ years, you will not come to this, but I plan to print them for you.

I want you to know that I love you more than anything.  I would pass up winning the lottery if it means I get to spend the rest of my life loving you two.

I hope to capture the little moments that pass so quickly.  For example:  Blayne. when you were learning to talk, you would NEVER say the entire word.  "Mick" was Mickey Mouse, "Bop" was Baby Bop from Barney.  In fact, a year ago, you were calling for Mick.  As I type this though, I think that you probably did that on purpose.  Maybe you just prefer one syllable names.  You never call Emileigh by her name.   When you refer to your sister, you call her "girl." 

In the morning, when we wake up, I hear, "good morning pretty girl."
During the day, I hear, "NO girl!"   "Sorry girl."  "Come here girl" "NO GIRL!"
At night, when it is time for bed, I hear, "nite nite, girl"

It is such a sweet name you have given your sister.

Emileigh, you call everyone either, "sissy" or "Jaci"  Although that sound very much alike, they are very distinct when you speak them. You will only call for "momma" when you are scared or hurt.  All of the other times you ask for "dada."  You babble a lot.  I think Blayne understands, but won't translate for me.  You are a quiet little girl.  I think it is because you study everything so closely because it doesn't take long before you have something mastered.

Emileigh, you  LOVE  to sing the "ewey gooey" song and "If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops."  You will dance and sing with us, then you will tip your head back and laugh. You can NOT stand for daddy to sing "rock a bye baby" to you.  You immediately pucker out your lips and cry big tears.  I have to get onto daddy for doing it.  I threaten him with the naughty chair.

Ahhh- The naughty chair.  That is something we have introduced to you, Blayne.  It really is more of a "chill out" then a "time out" for you.  You seem to sit your two minutes and gather your thoughts.  Seldom do you cry, you just wait for the buzzer on the microwave to sound, then you holler, "hear it momma?!"  You immediately say, "I sorry mommy" then get up and go about your business.

You have only had to sit on the naughty chair a handful of times, mostly for taking Emileigh's toy away from her.  Being two is hard, but being two and having to share your toys must be almost impossible.  Hang in there- you will get the hang of it.  One day, you will have to share your car!


                                                                                                Love you forever,
                                                                                                      momma

365 days...

365 days ago, I was preparing to meet my daughter. 

I was packing, then re-packing the hospital bag.  Cleaned the apartment.  Sent Blayne to my grandma's house.  I thought I was prepared. 

Kevin and I went to sleep and woke up at 4am for the journey.  You can find it here.

Since then, we have welcomed Emileigh, went from a two income to a one income family, moved from Tulsa back to Muskogee, experienced holidays, birthdays, and everydays as a family of four.  Through all of the ups and downs we have gone through the past 365 days I have learned one thing.  Emileigh completes us.

She teaches me daily what true, absolute love is.  She has loved Blayne since the very first time he kissed her in the hospital.  She was hour old.  She loves her da-da with every bone in that tiny body.  She loves me more than I have ever been loved.  She is patient with us, teaches us to laugh, and to slow down.  She watches, patiently and then attempts to take on the challenges before her.  She is ONE.  She is such a big girl.  She is such a good girl.

I re-read the post about crying when grandma took Blayne the day before we had Em.  I cried because I was afraid that bringing another baby into this world would somehow be bad for him.

i couldnt have been more wrong.

I love you sweet baby girl.  Happy Birthday Emileigh.