Sweet farewell, baseball and a swimmer to be.

This weekend Hardin and I went to the Skilling Farm for the last Memorial Day celebration before they move.  I've been going since 2003 with the exception of the year we were on our honeymoon, and it was certainly bitter sweet leaving a place that holds so many crazy and wonderful memories.  But, there wasn't much time to get sappy chasing H all over creation.  Jason was on a golf trip with Justin, and I was very thankful Ali, Austin and Olivia were such a big help with Hardin.  Hardin's been talking about "Ohlibia's farm" for a few days now.

Daddy came home Sunday and we took it very easy lounging around.  Monday we went to the park and Hardin was in for an unexpected treat.  There are a few great parks around here, but whenever we give him a choice, he ask to go to the Baseball Park.  He loves to watch the big kids play ball in between his monkey ways.  The big field was empty and Jason asked him if he wanted to go run the bases.  Needless to say he took off running and didn't stop.  He ran them a few times and loved every second except getting dirt in his shoes.
http://youtu.be/J3WQcvT0KM4

Today, Hardin started his much anticipated swim lessons.  We've been talking up "miss Christy's pool" and learning how to swim for a while now, and the first lesson blew both of our expectations out of the water.  His instructor only teaches Monday through Thursday, 11am-2pm, but I was lucky enough to sneak away to take him.  I literally said a teary eyed prayer standing right there in the pool room thanking God for my career that allows me to be there for these experiences.

I am always proud and impressed by his can-do-anything attitude, but today was just so awesome.  He clung to my leg when we first got out of the dressing room, but the second I handed him over he was all about it.  Both instructors were genuinely impressed he was so trusting of them during the first lesson.  They said it normally takes a week or so before the crying stops and listening starts.  Not this water baby.  The difficulty with him is getting him to stand still until they say it's time to jump.  And he was NOT happy about leaving.  Fortunately they have horses on their land and the kids are welcome to feed them when they are done.  I bought a huge Costco bag of carrots so he and Jason will be prepared tomorrow.  He'll go 3 times a week for 20 lessons, and I can't wait to see him at the end!
http://youtu.be/IE9PLPqgMCE

These two videos may be my favorite ever!

Splish Splash

I've been dog tired, and still feeling the first trimester yuckies.  I'm trying to ignore it and keep trucking along as normal but around 8:30 every night it catches up with me.  Coincidently that is when Hardin goes to sleep.  For some reason I was delusional to think round two would be easier, but it turns out I'm still tired from the inside out, and have a two-and-a-half year old and even busier office to take care of. 

The excitement is still MUCH better than anything else.  I also got a gut feeling this week this little baby is a girl.  I've been wrong a lot, but just putting my blind guess out there. 

Hardin had a little chest infection he couldn't shake this week, and ended up with a little inhaler to clear it up.  He thinks he's really something special when he gets to use his super hero mask twice a day.

And in honor of one of one of his favorite things in the world right now... here are a couple of pictures of him in MOMMY'S BATH!!!! 

God bless you.

The past two nights, I have been sitting downstairs long after putting Hardin to bed, thinking he was sleeping peacefully.

Both nights around I sneezed around 10pm.

Both nights he didn't miss a beat in hollering GOD BLESS YOU MOM-MAY!!!!!!!  And then again until I said thank you.

While I sure do wish he had been sleeping that late, I sat down there just grinning at his thoughtfulness. I couldn't love that little stinker more if I tried.

Commentary on the big news.

I forgot to mention Hardin's responses to the news of the baby on the way.  We just started talking about it about a week ago, but here are a few responses to me or Jason saying there's a baby in mommy's belly...

I gotta baby in MY tummy.

Yea!  The werms (worms) are spying on us.  But don't worry mommy, they are good spies.  They are good werms.

I want some supper. 

I'm a big boy, not a baby.  Where's my saber? I'ma save the day. 

We're not going to press the issue much more until I'm showing, although I'd love to just to hear his responses. 

Two favorite mama moments.

First things first, we are expecting our second sweet baby, and we are SO very excited!  I'm 9 weeks today, and everything is looking great.  After talking dates and taking measurements my doctor pushed my due date out almost a week.  We'll be expecting this sweet baby sometime around December 16th.  When I first told my mother-in-law we were thinking about #2, she said she felt a Christmas baby coming.  How do wise southern women know these things?  Seeing that heart flickering away is definitely one of my favorite mama moments to date. 

In other news, our big boy is almost done with his first year of preschool.  I can't believe he'll be out soon, it feels like just yesterday I was peeling the little saran wrapped child off of me at drop off.  Now he hollers You found it!  You found my school! as soon as we pull up, and RUNS inside.  Last week was teacher appreciation week, and Hardin's teacher wrote the sweetest little thank you note.  Reading it will also go down as one of my favorite little mama moments as well. 

Road Trip, Mimi and Birthdays

Last weekend we went to Mary Ellen's, and I'm pretty sure Hardin wouldn't have enjoyed Disney more.  They have just about everything you could imagine for a kid to play on.  He and Liddie played and played and played and played some more.  He stayed up later than he ever has, 10pm, and had the time of his life.  His favorite was the gator.  Pretty lady, cool ride, the kid was over the moon.  I had just as much fun soaking in time with one of my favorite people in the world. 

Wednesday Mimi arrived, with a BEAUTIFUL chest that belonged to her mother.  Pictures to come once one of Jason's friends can come help him get it inside and put the mirror on.  The plan was to use it in Hardin's big boy room, but after one look we all agreed it has survived over 100 years in this family, no need to destroy it in a two year olds room.  We are going to use it in our guest room until the play room can be a piano room.  My family doesn't have anything like this precious chest, so I am very thankful to have something so special for our house.

Thursday I took a half day and kept Hardin out of school to hang out with Mimi.  Friday night we had dinner out at Double Zero with Mimi, Cat, Justin, Roddy and Sharron to celebrate Mimi's birthday.  Roddy's brave baby sitter took on all 5 cousins, but she had two awesome helpers in Stella and Olivia.  When I told Hardin it was time to go home, he didn't hesitate to say you go home, I need to stay here.  Those kids know how to have a great time. 

Saturday was Cawley's FIFTH birthday party at Leaping Lizards.  After a second day with the girls, Cathy and I were ready to split up Olivia and Stella and take one home each.  They were SUCH a great help with the little kids.  They showed them all around the jumpy houses, climbed the slides, helped them up and down, they were great.  I know it sounds a little crazy, but sometimes I get sad that my brother and I will never have kids the same age.  Seeing how much fun and how close they can be, even with 9 years in age difference, makes me happy at the thought of a different relationship. 

After all of that we slept.  4 hour naps yesterday and 3 hour naps today.  We worked in a little grocery shopping, a new tennis racket for daddy, and a park play date as well.  I've taken a page from Hardin's book lately, running full speed or asleep.  It's been nice. 

A very merry half birthday to you!

My sweet bubba love is two-and-a-half today.  Of all the milestones, this one may be the hardest to take yet.  At two, there was still quite a bit of baby left in him.  Six months later, there's hardly a drop.  He's a full fledged kid, he even smells like one after a long day.  The new daddy sponsored hair cut doesn't help. 

In a few days the folks at Amazon will have a big box full of all things potty training delivered, and then the very last baby thing will be the crib.  That may be around for a while with as much as we all love it. 

At two-two-and-a-half, here are a few Hardin facts and stats.

His memory is what stands out to all of us the most.  He does not forget ANYTHING.  We went to a restaurant the first week we moved in the new house 7 months ago.  We visited last week and as soon as we pulled up he said I wanna see the BIG fish not the little ones.  He remembered the colors, and exactly where the aquariums were from that first trip.  If you tell him we are doing something when he wakes up in the morning or from nap, it's the first thing he ask when he wakes up.  He memorizes the pictures in books in the first reading.  It may be normal at this age, but we are always surprised. 

He's not as great with counting.  I'm not sure if he tries to go to fast or if he loses interest, but he's just not that into it right now.

He does not like anyone crying, and will tell you he's going to go save the day if he hears a baby cry.

He's big on his surroundings.  When you are driving down the road he points out every color, shape and type of truck he sees. 

He's not as interested in sounds as he used to be.  Airplanes hardly even get a glance anymore. 

His vocabulary is expanding everyday.  He remembers words I'd never expect, and does not like not knowing what something is.  He even stands by me while I do my make-up in the morning and identifies each item. 

There are still a few words he pronounces wrong, and I love it.  Room is rune.  He always wants to go play in mommy's rune.  He asks for floss every morning after me, but can not get the F-L start down as much as he's tried.  He always says soff.  The double Ls are also a challenge.  I can't even attempt to spell his yellow, but it involves a fully sticking out tongue in the middle. 

I've never called myself mommy, but he picked it up from somewhere.  I thought I'd be mama forever, no such luck.  Jason on the other hand, is still dada for the most part.  Unless he's really trying to get his attention, then he's Jay-sin. 

He eats and eats and eats and eats and never gains weight.  Just like me, right?  HA!  Clearly we know where that comes from.  He's literally only gained a few ounces since his 2 year check up.  We still haven't hit 28 pounds.  He's getting taller tough, and the legs are getting long. 

His favorite foods right now are berries of all kinds, bananas, oatmeal, cheese, chicken, French fries, broccoli, carrots, mac and cheese, and steak.  He still will not entertain the idea of a sandwich.  Wont even try.  And he's exactly like daddy in his love for all things breakfast.  He can eat sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes and waffles with the best of them. 

He loves his cousins and his friends, but he's become quite the little boss.  I was shocked at his Easter egg hunt at school.  With an October birthday, he's the oldest in the class, and he's taken that roll and run with it.  Weece, you get the blue egg. Ebwitt, you sit on that slide. Christopher, do NOT do that.  Etc.  He does the same thing with Lillian even when she's not here.  I hear him all the time saying Lillian can not get on the green swing, it's too dangerous.  He even stood right in front of my grandmother the other day with his arms out and said Maw-maw, STOP RIGHT THERE.  Do not cross the street, it is too dangerous for you!  She was trying to cross the hall from the bathroom to her room.  We're working on the bossiness. 

He's not the cuddliest kid, but the "I haven't seen you all day" hugs are so so so good.  Don't even try and snuggle him in the morning when he's watching his progrums.  That aint gonna happen.  Speaking of his favorite shows, he's picked up my mom and grandmother's ol' southern woman lingo.  He says pro-grums, just like my mom.  And when he's leaving the room to get something, he says I'ma run get my _____ right quick, just like my grandmother. 

He's started with the "IT'S MINE!"  Needless to say we don't love that.  He will grab something right out of your hand.  We grab it right back and try it again with some manners, but it's no less troublesome.  I know it comes with the age, but I don't think it's going away anytime soon. 

He's a happy kid, and runs HARD until he doesn't.  Then he's a total slouch.  Seriously, no middle ground.  It's 90 or nothin'. 

We adore him, and love him and are so very thankful God picked us to be his parents. 

That's all I can think of right now.  Today was an exhausting last Friday of the month, and therefor we celebrated Hardin's half birthday at Long Horn with yummy steaks and an ice cream sunday.  We have a super fun weekend planned with friends and a drive thru zoo.