You probably assume that because it's Wednesday, and because last weekend was Christmas, that I must be writing about how spoiled William is. But you're wrong! I'm talking about ME!
Sure, William is spoiled too and was spoiled on Christmas for sure. But oh my goodness was I showered with love this Christmas.
Ask and ye shall receive - I got TWO pair of Tom's after my plea on Facebook, and they're very different which is awesome. I got a Texas cookbook, a new purse, new workout clothes, a firepit to keep my feet warm, a Texas star to hang on my house, jewelry, a free babysitter coupon, lots of cards with sweet notes inside, and a special trip from Santa to my house while we were in Colorado springs.
And this doesn't include the presents that are still under the tree waiting for dada to get home!
I can't find the word to describe how I feel. It's a combination of humbled, touched and embarrassed. Not in a negative way - I just don't know the word that fits the feeling.
I've felt this way throughout this entire deployment. From meals that were left in my garage fridge on days when I thought i had no time to eat, to friends making special trips to visit...to countless cards that brightened my days, unexpected gifts in the mailbox, and an outpouring of help and love...I've been so humbled and speechless by the support we have received.
Not to turn it into a cheesy metaphor, but William has had me watching Cars a lot lately which got me thinking. In the beginning lightening McQueen thinks he is a one man show, but he fails. Austin is a great soldier, but I know he couldn't be all that he is if he didn't have his 'put crew' - the support of his family back home. And I know that I couldn't fully support him in the capacity that I do if I didn't have my support system too.
So while Austin is the real hero here, there are so many people who have made it possible for him to successfully complete his job. Whether you supported him through emails, cards, or packages - or whether you supported me in one of those capacities - you have definitely done your part to help us serve our country.
I only hope that the next time I know of the spouse of a deployed soldier that I remember all the ways love was poured onto me and that I can pay it forward. Until then, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being with me on this journey. I couldn't have made it without you.
Here's to a wonderful and blessed 2012.
- manda
Dec 28, 2011
Dec 27, 2011
Army life
I've written a lot about my role as an army wife. I chose it, I've tried to embrace it, and I know that I can complain very little because I knew what I was getting into when I 'signed up'. For better or worse.
But I never signed up to be an army sister so I can complain all I want right? Except I never do. I am so proud of my brother and I feel pride flowing out of me whenever I explain that my brother is a soldier.
Here is a guest-post I wrote for the soldier's wife blog I've told you about before:
http://toloveasoldier.blogspot.com/2011/12/so-many-ways-to-love-to-be-army-sister.html?m=1
I am so so so thankful that I have been blessed with the honor of being so immersed in this life.
- manda
But I never signed up to be an army sister so I can complain all I want right? Except I never do. I am so proud of my brother and I feel pride flowing out of me whenever I explain that my brother is a soldier.
Here is a guest-post I wrote for the soldier's wife blog I've told you about before:
http://toloveasoldier.blogspot.com/2011/12/so-many-ways-to-love-to-be-army-sister.html?m=1
I am so so so thankful that I have been blessed with the honor of being so immersed in this life.
- manda
Dec 21, 2011
William Wednesday
I just looked through my calendar and my pictures on my phone to get an idea of what all I need to write about. I don’t remember when I last wrote, but I feel like it was ages ago.
I think I told you that we met Santa at Austin’s battalion holiday party, and that William loved him from a few feet away. I am not quite as into Santa as Buddy the Elf is, so I didn’t feel the need to force William onto his lap for a picture of him wailing. Maybe it’s a right of passage that I stole from my child, who knows. But he was happy with high 5’s and fist bumps so I let it be. Anyway, here we are with Santa.
William is quite the little ham. When we are home alone he has me cracking up, but when other people are around (if he’s in a performing mood) I could literally fall out of my chair laughing sometimes. One night Dusti and Jodi came over for dinner and William had no problem sitting at the table with the ladies. Usually once he’s done eating he’s ready to run but he was content to sit, smile, and play a new game he and Jodi created. It’s called “peeeease jo-di” and it consists of William begging Jodi to roll a water bottle across the table to him, then she asks for it back and he rolls it back. It’s a complex game, one that took mere seconds to master, yet an hour to finish. Yes, an hour. He also beckoned for Jodi to come back a few times over the last week by saying “peeeease jo-di” leaving me confused as to what we were doing.
He also found it fun to perform for our Christmas card picture. Once we learned Austin wouldn’t be home in time for family pictures, I designed our card in my head and had a former coworker take some pictures of us. Below is our card – and by his cheese-eating grin you can see the mood he was in. (note: if you do not have this at your house you are either one of the 8 cards sitting in my purse waiting for an address, or I didn’t know you’d want one so please tell me so…)
This past weekend we had a Christmas get together with people from my work. It was pretty informal, just at a coworker’s house, but it was a lot of fun. There were lots of kids playing with toys upstairs, running around and being kids – it was awesome. Paul also had little stockings for all the kids to make. William learned, though, that you are supposed to tear open the presents under the tree (the adults had a white elephant gift exchange) so he has wanted to open the presents at home since then. I guess that’s a pretty tough concept! He is very excited about Christmas…he’s excited by all the lights, the “goo goo bells” (jingle bells), the music, the tree – he likes it all. And I’m SO excited to see his excitement on Christmas morning.
Last time I wrote, I think I mentioned that William had perfected 3 letters. Well – we’ve just been learning like crazy. He has bathtub letters which he plays with every night, and I am sure they work on letters at school too. (or maybe they don’t – really I have never asked) Last night during bathtime he was able to identify on his own:
Y for Yaya
G for Oh Gosh
W for William
D for Dada
P for Papa
H (not for anything)
N
M for mommy (after he tried to turn it upside down and make it a W)
B for meeman (Brandon)
C for CiCi
L for William (he knows his name has 2 L’s in it so I’ll give him that)
And he knew numbers 1-4 successfully too. We are stuck on the number 0 and the letter O because he thinks they’re footballs. So I’m equally proud of that. He’s practically Doogie Howser, really.
Sunday I went to the Broncos game, so William got a real treat: all day with Oh Gosh! He was so excited. When I said “he” there I’m not sure which “he” I was referring to, they were BOTH so excited. I think they watched football, went man-shopping (bass pro shop) and had dinner at McAlisters. William also got his first cup of sprite which Brian was quick to inform me has no caffeine. AH, but the sugar. Oh well, he was sound asleep when I got home so all was well in the world.
When I mentioned that sometimes when we’re alone he has me laughing up a storm, I particularly meant last night. I was sitting in Austin’s chair (which I only have a few more weeks to enjoy, because when he’s home I never sit in it) and William kept saying something that I couldn’t quite make out. He knew I wasn’t comprehending, so he grabbed my hand and then pointed to the floor. I realized, then, that he had been saying “sit down” and I knew he probably wanted to climb on my lap or legs or jump on my abs. I sat down and then he gently pushed on my shoulders and said “lay down mommy”. Yep, it was playtime. I laid down with my head rested against austin’s chair and my legs bent while he got a running start and ran towards my legs. When he arrives at my legs he either expects me to instantly pick him up in table top or separate my knees so he falls on my stomach, and he’s equally surprised and excited by both outcomes. What he didn’t expect was for me to lift him in table top, raise him over my head with my legs and drop him on Austin’s chair. He LOVED that…while my abs thought it was a little less enjoyable. Then anytime I would sit up he’d run over and kindly tell me “lay down mommy”. So later I said “lay down William” and I tried to mimick him but instead of jumping on him I tickled his ribs when I got to him, which got that deep belly laugh out of him. We played like that for 20 minutes and I never stopped laughing. He’s hilarious and I think I could play with someone his age forever. I want to take him to never never land!
He also keeps me laughing with the associations he makes. Last night he repeatedly asked me for his 'moose book'. I had no clue what he meant, but it turns out he was asking for the thanksgiving book miss jan gave him. I'd call it either the turkey book or thanksgiving book, but he's right - Mr. And Mrs. moose are the main characters!
On top of being hilarious and keeping me laughing, he is the sweetest thing in the world. And the sense that kids have for their parents’ emotions amazes me. Last Thursday I took him to a crepe place for dinner to celebrate Austin and my anniversary. He was on PERFECT behavior at the restaurant, gave me lots of hugs and kisses, and told me “love you mommy” three times just in the time we were at the restaurant. He also practiced naming the letters in his first and last name, and learned to say “William wallis” which made me beam with pride. He apparently knows when to be funny and when to be sweet, and he knows how to play his mommy to get WHATEVER he wants.
I don’t know how much more I’ll blog between now and next Wednesday because I won’t be at work and my mom and Alfredo will be in town, so just in case I miss you – hope you have a very merry Christmas and that you get to spend lots of wonderful time with the people you love.
- manda
I think I told you that we met Santa at Austin’s battalion holiday party, and that William loved him from a few feet away. I am not quite as into Santa as Buddy the Elf is, so I didn’t feel the need to force William onto his lap for a picture of him wailing. Maybe it’s a right of passage that I stole from my child, who knows. But he was happy with high 5’s and fist bumps so I let it be. Anyway, here we are with Santa.
William is quite the little ham. When we are home alone he has me cracking up, but when other people are around (if he’s in a performing mood) I could literally fall out of my chair laughing sometimes. One night Dusti and Jodi came over for dinner and William had no problem sitting at the table with the ladies. Usually once he’s done eating he’s ready to run but he was content to sit, smile, and play a new game he and Jodi created. It’s called “peeeease jo-di” and it consists of William begging Jodi to roll a water bottle across the table to him, then she asks for it back and he rolls it back. It’s a complex game, one that took mere seconds to master, yet an hour to finish. Yes, an hour. He also beckoned for Jodi to come back a few times over the last week by saying “peeeease jo-di” leaving me confused as to what we were doing.
He also found it fun to perform for our Christmas card picture. Once we learned Austin wouldn’t be home in time for family pictures, I designed our card in my head and had a former coworker take some pictures of us. Below is our card – and by his cheese-eating grin you can see the mood he was in. (note: if you do not have this at your house you are either one of the 8 cards sitting in my purse waiting for an address, or I didn’t know you’d want one so please tell me so…)
This past weekend we had a Christmas get together with people from my work. It was pretty informal, just at a coworker’s house, but it was a lot of fun. There were lots of kids playing with toys upstairs, running around and being kids – it was awesome. Paul also had little stockings for all the kids to make. William learned, though, that you are supposed to tear open the presents under the tree (the adults had a white elephant gift exchange) so he has wanted to open the presents at home since then. I guess that’s a pretty tough concept! He is very excited about Christmas…he’s excited by all the lights, the “goo goo bells” (jingle bells), the music, the tree – he likes it all. And I’m SO excited to see his excitement on Christmas morning.
Last time I wrote, I think I mentioned that William had perfected 3 letters. Well – we’ve just been learning like crazy. He has bathtub letters which he plays with every night, and I am sure they work on letters at school too. (or maybe they don’t – really I have never asked) Last night during bathtime he was able to identify on his own:
Y for Yaya
G for Oh Gosh
W for William
D for Dada
P for Papa
H (not for anything)
N
M for mommy (after he tried to turn it upside down and make it a W)
B for meeman (Brandon)
C for CiCi
L for William (he knows his name has 2 L’s in it so I’ll give him that)
And he knew numbers 1-4 successfully too. We are stuck on the number 0 and the letter O because he thinks they’re footballs. So I’m equally proud of that. He’s practically Doogie Howser, really.
Sunday I went to the Broncos game, so William got a real treat: all day with Oh Gosh! He was so excited. When I said “he” there I’m not sure which “he” I was referring to, they were BOTH so excited. I think they watched football, went man-shopping (bass pro shop) and had dinner at McAlisters. William also got his first cup of sprite which Brian was quick to inform me has no caffeine. AH, but the sugar. Oh well, he was sound asleep when I got home so all was well in the world.
When I mentioned that sometimes when we’re alone he has me laughing up a storm, I particularly meant last night. I was sitting in Austin’s chair (which I only have a few more weeks to enjoy, because when he’s home I never sit in it) and William kept saying something that I couldn’t quite make out. He knew I wasn’t comprehending, so he grabbed my hand and then pointed to the floor. I realized, then, that he had been saying “sit down” and I knew he probably wanted to climb on my lap or legs or jump on my abs. I sat down and then he gently pushed on my shoulders and said “lay down mommy”. Yep, it was playtime. I laid down with my head rested against austin’s chair and my legs bent while he got a running start and ran towards my legs. When he arrives at my legs he either expects me to instantly pick him up in table top or separate my knees so he falls on my stomach, and he’s equally surprised and excited by both outcomes. What he didn’t expect was for me to lift him in table top, raise him over my head with my legs and drop him on Austin’s chair. He LOVED that…while my abs thought it was a little less enjoyable. Then anytime I would sit up he’d run over and kindly tell me “lay down mommy”. So later I said “lay down William” and I tried to mimick him but instead of jumping on him I tickled his ribs when I got to him, which got that deep belly laugh out of him. We played like that for 20 minutes and I never stopped laughing. He’s hilarious and I think I could play with someone his age forever. I want to take him to never never land!
He also keeps me laughing with the associations he makes. Last night he repeatedly asked me for his 'moose book'. I had no clue what he meant, but it turns out he was asking for the thanksgiving book miss jan gave him. I'd call it either the turkey book or thanksgiving book, but he's right - Mr. And Mrs. moose are the main characters!
On top of being hilarious and keeping me laughing, he is the sweetest thing in the world. And the sense that kids have for their parents’ emotions amazes me. Last Thursday I took him to a crepe place for dinner to celebrate Austin and my anniversary. He was on PERFECT behavior at the restaurant, gave me lots of hugs and kisses, and told me “love you mommy” three times just in the time we were at the restaurant. He also practiced naming the letters in his first and last name, and learned to say “William wallis” which made me beam with pride. He apparently knows when to be funny and when to be sweet, and he knows how to play his mommy to get WHATEVER he wants.
I don’t know how much more I’ll blog between now and next Wednesday because I won’t be at work and my mom and Alfredo will be in town, so just in case I miss you – hope you have a very merry Christmas and that you get to spend lots of wonderful time with the people you love.
- manda
Dec 19, 2011
A choice
There is a YouTube video that is circulating around right now that has Santa narrating “The Night Before Christmas” with a soldier twist on it. Santa comes across a house that looks different. It has boots and gear and guns scattered around. He sees soldiers sleeping alone in cots; no family, no decorations, no tree or presents. He sees soldiers who are at home but alone because they’ve given their lives to the military, and he sees some deployed fighting for our freedom. At one point, late in the poem, he has a conversation with a soldier and what the soldier says in reply to Santa’s sad apology really struck me. The soldier said “don’t be sorry, Santa, this life is my choice”.
It is true: it’s a choice. For one reason or another, our servicemen and women have made this choice for their lives and they do not need anyone to be sorry for them. Some join for college money, some join for medical care, some join because they have an inner calling deep in their hearts. Whatever their reason, they made a choice. The men and women who made that choice after September 11 knew what was at stake and what would most likely be asked, and they still raised their hands and took their oath.
Don’t be sorry.
Don’t look at their pictures on the news and be sorry that they are alone on Christmas. Don’t squish your face up with sadness (like mine is right now as I write) and feel anything for them that could resemble sorrow.
Be thankful.
Be thankful for their choice. Be thankful for their sacrifice. Be thankful for their moms and dads, their brothers and sisters, their wives and children, who stand beside them and support them so that they can defend your freedom. Be thankful that there are people strong enough to endure the sacrifices that they have made. Be thankful that we live in a country that is so great that men and women line up to defend her.
When you wake up on Christmas morning, if you get to see your family hug them extra tight. Give them hugs and kisses and enjoy your holiday together. Whether that holiday includes an over abundance of presents, a few presents, or none at all – remember the reason for Christmas and be thankful for all the blessings in your life. Be sure to give an extra hug and say an extra prayer for the soldiers who are alone, but don’t be sad. They don’t want you to be sorry.
- manda
It is true: it’s a choice. For one reason or another, our servicemen and women have made this choice for their lives and they do not need anyone to be sorry for them. Some join for college money, some join for medical care, some join because they have an inner calling deep in their hearts. Whatever their reason, they made a choice. The men and women who made that choice after September 11 knew what was at stake and what would most likely be asked, and they still raised their hands and took their oath.
Don’t be sorry.
Don’t look at their pictures on the news and be sorry that they are alone on Christmas. Don’t squish your face up with sadness (like mine is right now as I write) and feel anything for them that could resemble sorrow.
Be thankful.
Be thankful for their choice. Be thankful for their sacrifice. Be thankful for their moms and dads, their brothers and sisters, their wives and children, who stand beside them and support them so that they can defend your freedom. Be thankful that there are people strong enough to endure the sacrifices that they have made. Be thankful that we live in a country that is so great that men and women line up to defend her.
When you wake up on Christmas morning, if you get to see your family hug them extra tight. Give them hugs and kisses and enjoy your holiday together. Whether that holiday includes an over abundance of presents, a few presents, or none at all – remember the reason for Christmas and be thankful for all the blessings in your life. Be sure to give an extra hug and say an extra prayer for the soldiers who are alone, but don’t be sad. They don’t want you to be sorry.
- manda
Dec 15, 2011
Happy anniversary?
I did the math. Austin and I have been married for 1,460 days. If my memory is correct, we have spent 708 nights apart. 49%! And my best guess is that by the time Austin gets home we will have peaked over that 50% mark.
It seems sad on the surface to think that we have spent half of our young marriage apart. And it is sad! But the time spent together has been so fruitful and so nurtured that it has rarely felt like an injustice.
Not every moment in the last 4 years has been beautiful, and certainly not every moment in the last year. There have been hard times and sad times and times that have tested our love and faith. But I can say with (almost 100%) certainty that I am thankful for the trials we have faced.
I am thankful for the tears. I am thankful for the fights. I am thankful for the nights when I wondered if I would ever see him again. I am thankful because all of that has made the good times that much sweeter. Every night that we have been able to be together I can honestly say we have cherished. Every morning when we have been able to have breakfast together, every evening when we've cooked together after work...every walk to the park, every hug goodbye and kiss goodnight...we haven't taken any of it for granted, and I believe it has strengthened our marriage in ways we will never fully understand.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad to be alone on our anniversary but I had the next best thing: I got to go on a special date with Austin's clone and the best part of our love. William is the greatest gift that Austin has ever given me and aside from spending the day with Austin I couldn't have had a better anniversary evening.
So while I woke up unsure about whether or not to wish myself a 'happy' anniversary and not quite sure how I'd keep a smile through the day, I realized that it was happy regardless of the circumstances. 4 years ago the greatest man God could have blessed me with vowed to love me for the rest of his life. He made bold promises, promises I know he will keep. And any day that I get to celebrate that love and those promises will always be a happy day.
But Maybe we should have thrown 'together And apart' in our vows :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It seems sad on the surface to think that we have spent half of our young marriage apart. And it is sad! But the time spent together has been so fruitful and so nurtured that it has rarely felt like an injustice.
Not every moment in the last 4 years has been beautiful, and certainly not every moment in the last year. There have been hard times and sad times and times that have tested our love and faith. But I can say with (almost 100%) certainty that I am thankful for the trials we have faced.
I am thankful for the tears. I am thankful for the fights. I am thankful for the nights when I wondered if I would ever see him again. I am thankful because all of that has made the good times that much sweeter. Every night that we have been able to be together I can honestly say we have cherished. Every morning when we have been able to have breakfast together, every evening when we've cooked together after work...every walk to the park, every hug goodbye and kiss goodnight...we haven't taken any of it for granted, and I believe it has strengthened our marriage in ways we will never fully understand.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad to be alone on our anniversary but I had the next best thing: I got to go on a special date with Austin's clone and the best part of our love. William is the greatest gift that Austin has ever given me and aside from spending the day with Austin I couldn't have had a better anniversary evening.
So while I woke up unsure about whether or not to wish myself a 'happy' anniversary and not quite sure how I'd keep a smile through the day, I realized that it was happy regardless of the circumstances. 4 years ago the greatest man God could have blessed me with vowed to love me for the rest of his life. He made bold promises, promises I know he will keep. And any day that I get to celebrate that love and those promises will always be a happy day.
But Maybe we should have thrown 'together And apart' in our vows :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Dec 13, 2011
Worry
Someone should have told me before church on Sunday that I'd need an entire notebook for sermon notes! I use the sermon outlines every week to keep myself on track (and make sure I don't zone out) but this time there wasn't enough space in the margins for me to add my own thoughts and notes.
I've read Matthew 6:25-34 more than any other single Bible passage. I've heard sermons on it numerous times, and I've studied it. But every time I read or hear it I take away something new. Our new sermon series at church is a 6 week series on transforming emotions and this week's focus was transforming worry into trust.
In this short passage Jesus tells us three times not to worry.
DO NOT WORRY
DO NOT WORRY!
DO NOT WORRY!!!
The pastor commented that we have wild imaginations when it comes to worry - boy is he right! After Austin left for Afghanistan I had many days when I was certain I was going to receive that dreaded knock at the door. So sure that there were times when I held my breath as I rounded the corner to my house, fearing the sight of a black SUV in the driveway. (for the record, I don't even know if the message-delivery people ride in dark SUVs but it just seems like they should). What would happen next was I would play out the following days, months, years in my head. Where would we have the funeral? Would I keep my job and house here in Colorado? Would William and I move back to Texas? Would we move to some unchartered ground? What would I do with all of Austin's tools? Guns? Army gear? Clothes? Would I eventually want to remarry? If not, in 20 years would William look with pity at his mom's sad life?
Hours were wasted thinking about these things. Hours that probably add up to days! And for what? How did any of that help me? I literally envisioned me 2 year old as a 22 year old adult who felt sorrow for my life. By worrying about it, did I in any way prevent it from happening? No. And by worrying about it, did I possibly make it more bearable should the day have come? Not in a million years. So what was I doing?
What I learned this week, that I hadn't taken away from this passage before, was that nothing surprises God. There will never be a moment when God will think "WHOA! I never saw that coming!" He is ready and prepared for whatever will come my way, and He is in control of it. I just have to trust Him to continue to guide me and be by my side. He does not promise that through Him my life will be easy. He does not promise that nothing bad will ever happen to me or that life will always go my way. What he does promise is that he will care for me more delicately than the lilies of the field; that he will provide for me more abundantly than he has for the birds of the air.
During the sermon the pastor asked any of us who are parents to imagine our kids as toddlers - easy for me since mine currently IS a toddler - and imagine that they are independently playing. Then imagine that suddenly something goes wrong...a tower falls, a toy breaks, something hurts them. What does the child do? He turns around, raises his arms high and runs into the comforting arms of his parents. The pastor reminded us that God wants us to run to Him in that manner.
Had I received that knock on the door, God would have been with me in that moment and through my grief just as he has been with me through all of life's struggles. And with the absence of that door-knock, I know He has been with Austin throughout his journey too. He has loved us, comforted us, and protected us together and apart. All he needs for me to do is run to Him and find peace.
No planning.
No worrying.
Only trusting.
Dec 11, 2011
Only 4 days late
**i wrote this Thursday...oops!
When I missed blogging yesterday about William, I debated just skipping this week all together because I have other things I could write about today, but I fear that I would NEVER get this week and next week combined into one blog for him. So, maybe I’ll post twice today or maybe I will this weekend or maybe the less important topics will fall by the wayside. Have to keep it prioritized here!
I think it’s safe to say that William loves December. He loves the white snow, he likes when I tell him that we’re walking on slippery ice, and he LOVE LOVE LOVES sledding. Loves. Did I mention that? Brian and I took him sledding on Sunday and either he was too excited to realize he was cold, or 2 shirts, 2 jackets, ski pants, fleece socks, waterproof boots, and mittens really do work. Oh, and a hat of course. What kind of mom would I be? Brian showed William how to lay down on the sled first, so later when we tried to get him to sit on it so that we could sit behind him (on the 2 person sled) he wanted none of that. So, he took up the entire 2 person sled and we just jumped on the back with our knees…dragging our poor legs in the snow!
Brian and I were not so adequately dressed and we were shivering in our blue jeans, so sledding was short lived. Besides, it was somewhere around 15 degrees outside! William was VERY upset when the sledding ended, and I think thanks to his layering he could have gone for hours. It’s amazing how kids just don’t realize things like weather.
William also loves Christmas lights. He is working on trying to build 3 and 4 word phrases, so he’s having fun trying to say “blue Christmas lights” or “see blue Christmas lights”. He concentrates very hard on these bigger phrases, and sometimes gets the words confused, but he eventually gets there. Sometimes it will start out as “blue blue mumble mumble lights…..Christmas blue….blue Christmas blue…blue Christmas lights” Once he finally gets to his final phrase I can see the satisfaction on his face that he GOT it. Watching the development of language has by far been one of my favorite parts of watching him grow. I thought watching him learn to walk would be, but language development is just amazing to me.
And the things he puts together sometimes crack me up! When we drove past the hill this morning where we went sledding, he said “Oh Gosh GOOOOOOOO”. Because Austin taught him to say “go go go” when he sees football on TV, now anything with a Texans logo is referred to as “go go”. I have a go go hat, a go go shirt, a go go purse, and he has a go go jacket. Every morning he tells me if he wants to wear “dada jacket” (which is a black jacket that matches one of Austin’s), his orange jacket, or his go go jacket. He has some brown boots that YaYa bought him that she referred to as his workerman boots. So he calls them his “man boots” and he wears them almost every day. He thinks all large vehicles are buses, so what you and I would call the “trash truck” he refers to as a “rash bus green” (because the trash trucks here are green). There are so many little phrases that he pieces together, and there are a few that I tried to mentally note to remember throughout the week and I’m racking my brain now to remember them. It’s just hilarious and amazing how he puts things together and how his brain processes it all. His memory is also amazing. He saw an airplane yesterday morning and said “airplane…airplane mommy” I said “that’s right; mommy went on an airplane with you”. Then he said “airplane mommy oh gosh”. I said “that’s right, we went on an airplane with oh gosh!” Then I asked him where the airplane took us and he said “airplane mommy kexas”. He apparently remembers our Thanksgiving vacation very well!
Last night we went to Austin’s battalion Christmas party where Santa made an appearance. William was wearing a shirt that says “I ate Santa’s cookies” and the O’s in “cookies” look like chocolate chip cookies. I had read him the shirt a few times, and a friend of ours asked him what was on the shirt and William replied “cookies”. Then when we walked over and met Santa, I said “William this is santa” and he said “ate santa cookies” as he pointed to his shirt.
Did I mention he’s brilliant? Because he is. We were pointing at the model airplanes on the ceiling and counting them. As I said a number he repeated it. Then later when I pointed to one he said “one”. Then I pointed to another and he said “two”. Without my help, he got up to number 4 and WITH my help he got up to number 13. He also recognizes and verbalizes the letters W, A and M, and he knows the number 1. He thinks the letter T and the number 7 are also number 1, but I think that’s still pretty great recognition. You know, with my mommy bias and my lack of early childhood education knowledge. So, take my opinion as you wish – but I still think he’s brilliant.
Last night was the first time he saw our tree with the lights on and he was just mesmerized. We have little chili pepper covers on our lights and he kept touching them and saying “oooo”. Then he found this ornament that is a miniature wreath of rustic looking bells. He ran around the house shaking the ornament until it accidentally dropped on layla. He immediately said “uh oh layla” and gave her a big hug and kiss. She’s a wonderfully patient dog and is so great with him, but I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the love William pours out onto her. William just adores her!
He also seems to adore Baby Kelli and has been talking to her every day for a week now. The past 4 nights he’s cried for her to save him from the horrific fate of bedtime, and lots of times I hear him jabbering in his own language and all I can make out is “baby lelli”. He loves to look at her pictures, and a couple of times when he sees her he also says “Nana” (dana) and “meman” (Brandon). So he is making the association between Kelli and her parents. I always wondered how long it normally takes kids to learn about their families, and if it would take him longer since we don’t see them often but I guess the 6 trips/year to Texas are paying off. Not financially, but in ways more valuable.
So, December is shaping up to be one of our best months yet. We’re pumped about Christmas lights, we’re pumped about “mismis rees” and the ornament he made last night, we’re learning at light speed and sharpening our memory, and we are beyond excited about the fact that Dada is coming home SOON. I’ve told him enough times that now when he sees dada doll he sometimes excitedly announces “dada home OOOOOOON”. He’s pumped, and you’d be a fool to think I’m not right along with him.
- manda
When I missed blogging yesterday about William, I debated just skipping this week all together because I have other things I could write about today, but I fear that I would NEVER get this week and next week combined into one blog for him. So, maybe I’ll post twice today or maybe I will this weekend or maybe the less important topics will fall by the wayside. Have to keep it prioritized here!
I think it’s safe to say that William loves December. He loves the white snow, he likes when I tell him that we’re walking on slippery ice, and he LOVE LOVE LOVES sledding. Loves. Did I mention that? Brian and I took him sledding on Sunday and either he was too excited to realize he was cold, or 2 shirts, 2 jackets, ski pants, fleece socks, waterproof boots, and mittens really do work. Oh, and a hat of course. What kind of mom would I be? Brian showed William how to lay down on the sled first, so later when we tried to get him to sit on it so that we could sit behind him (on the 2 person sled) he wanted none of that. So, he took up the entire 2 person sled and we just jumped on the back with our knees…dragging our poor legs in the snow!
Brian and I were not so adequately dressed and we were shivering in our blue jeans, so sledding was short lived. Besides, it was somewhere around 15 degrees outside! William was VERY upset when the sledding ended, and I think thanks to his layering he could have gone for hours. It’s amazing how kids just don’t realize things like weather.
William also loves Christmas lights. He is working on trying to build 3 and 4 word phrases, so he’s having fun trying to say “blue Christmas lights” or “see blue Christmas lights”. He concentrates very hard on these bigger phrases, and sometimes gets the words confused, but he eventually gets there. Sometimes it will start out as “blue blue mumble mumble lights…..Christmas blue….blue Christmas blue…blue Christmas lights” Once he finally gets to his final phrase I can see the satisfaction on his face that he GOT it. Watching the development of language has by far been one of my favorite parts of watching him grow. I thought watching him learn to walk would be, but language development is just amazing to me.
And the things he puts together sometimes crack me up! When we drove past the hill this morning where we went sledding, he said “Oh Gosh GOOOOOOOO”. Because Austin taught him to say “go go go” when he sees football on TV, now anything with a Texans logo is referred to as “go go”. I have a go go hat, a go go shirt, a go go purse, and he has a go go jacket. Every morning he tells me if he wants to wear “dada jacket” (which is a black jacket that matches one of Austin’s), his orange jacket, or his go go jacket. He has some brown boots that YaYa bought him that she referred to as his workerman boots. So he calls them his “man boots” and he wears them almost every day. He thinks all large vehicles are buses, so what you and I would call the “trash truck” he refers to as a “rash bus green” (because the trash trucks here are green). There are so many little phrases that he pieces together, and there are a few that I tried to mentally note to remember throughout the week and I’m racking my brain now to remember them. It’s just hilarious and amazing how he puts things together and how his brain processes it all. His memory is also amazing. He saw an airplane yesterday morning and said “airplane…airplane mommy” I said “that’s right; mommy went on an airplane with you”. Then he said “airplane mommy oh gosh”. I said “that’s right, we went on an airplane with oh gosh!” Then I asked him where the airplane took us and he said “airplane mommy kexas”. He apparently remembers our Thanksgiving vacation very well!
Last night we went to Austin’s battalion Christmas party where Santa made an appearance. William was wearing a shirt that says “I ate Santa’s cookies” and the O’s in “cookies” look like chocolate chip cookies. I had read him the shirt a few times, and a friend of ours asked him what was on the shirt and William replied “cookies”. Then when we walked over and met Santa, I said “William this is santa” and he said “ate santa cookies” as he pointed to his shirt.
Did I mention he’s brilliant? Because he is. We were pointing at the model airplanes on the ceiling and counting them. As I said a number he repeated it. Then later when I pointed to one he said “one”. Then I pointed to another and he said “two”. Without my help, he got up to number 4 and WITH my help he got up to number 13. He also recognizes and verbalizes the letters W, A and M, and he knows the number 1. He thinks the letter T and the number 7 are also number 1, but I think that’s still pretty great recognition. You know, with my mommy bias and my lack of early childhood education knowledge. So, take my opinion as you wish – but I still think he’s brilliant.
Last night was the first time he saw our tree with the lights on and he was just mesmerized. We have little chili pepper covers on our lights and he kept touching them and saying “oooo”. Then he found this ornament that is a miniature wreath of rustic looking bells. He ran around the house shaking the ornament until it accidentally dropped on layla. He immediately said “uh oh layla” and gave her a big hug and kiss. She’s a wonderfully patient dog and is so great with him, but I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the love William pours out onto her. William just adores her!
He also seems to adore Baby Kelli and has been talking to her every day for a week now. The past 4 nights he’s cried for her to save him from the horrific fate of bedtime, and lots of times I hear him jabbering in his own language and all I can make out is “baby lelli”. He loves to look at her pictures, and a couple of times when he sees her he also says “Nana” (dana) and “meman” (Brandon). So he is making the association between Kelli and her parents. I always wondered how long it normally takes kids to learn about their families, and if it would take him longer since we don’t see them often but I guess the 6 trips/year to Texas are paying off. Not financially, but in ways more valuable.
So, December is shaping up to be one of our best months yet. We’re pumped about Christmas lights, we’re pumped about “mismis rees” and the ornament he made last night, we’re learning at light speed and sharpening our memory, and we are beyond excited about the fact that Dada is coming home SOON. I’ve told him enough times that now when he sees dada doll he sometimes excitedly announces “dada home OOOOOOON”. He’s pumped, and you’d be a fool to think I’m not right along with him.
- manda
Dec 6, 2011
Great support
It's no secret that this has been the most trying time of the deployment. The past few weeks has proven my notion that the end is the exciting time to be wrong. Or at least it doesn't get exciting as early as I thought it would.
But I have great support, and thanks to that I have bounced back into my Rosie mood for the last stretch.
First, Brittany reminded me that if I look at all of my tasks/responsibilities it is way too daunting to even consider doing. But I can still just take things one at a time, and she took it upon herself to make a Christmas tree my #1. So...
It's a little bitty thing and it's not live, but I love it. We've always had live trees and I've always loved going to pick it out with Austin. For the last 5 it's never failed that the week when we've decided to get the tree it has been single digit temperatures, so why not go get my itty bitty baby tree in the same weather? Luckily target was a comfortable temperature :)
Next, my mom responded to my last blog post with a great idea. She suggested I have a jar where I deposit $1 or $5 or $10 every day from now until Austin gets home. Then, when he's home we can spend the money doing something fun and special. The bright side of this plan is that I either can be excited by the fact that I only deposit $10 twenty times, or I can be excited that we have a jackpot of $400 to spend. Both sides have their pros and cons, but the important thing is it would be a new daily motivator and reminder. Which is exactly what I need.
And last, austin was, as always, the greatest source of encouragement and motivation. He reminded me that when I've done the best this year I have kept my focus on the small victories and the things I have accomplished. Lately the focus has shifted. I know a lot of that roots from the expectation that he would already be home right now, and it's been hard for me to overlook that fact. But that has changed how I look at things. He suggested that rather than look at Melvin in the garage and think about how much I wish Austin had bought it with me, I should look at Melvin and be proud of the fact that I did it myself. I didn't settle for a 'similar' car to what I wanted, I didn't pay more than I had wanted to, and I did it on my own.
I've done a lot on my own, and I do have a lot to be proud of. But I couldn't have done it all without all of the support and encouragement I've had along the way. I finally feel like we are really closing in on the end, and I finally breathe easier because I know Austin will be home soon.
I guess it's true what they say that everything is better in the morning. Amazing what one day can change.
- manda
But I have great support, and thanks to that I have bounced back into my Rosie mood for the last stretch.
First, Brittany reminded me that if I look at all of my tasks/responsibilities it is way too daunting to even consider doing. But I can still just take things one at a time, and she took it upon herself to make a Christmas tree my #1. So...
It's a little bitty thing and it's not live, but I love it. We've always had live trees and I've always loved going to pick it out with Austin. For the last 5 it's never failed that the week when we've decided to get the tree it has been single digit temperatures, so why not go get my itty bitty baby tree in the same weather? Luckily target was a comfortable temperature :)
Next, my mom responded to my last blog post with a great idea. She suggested I have a jar where I deposit $1 or $5 or $10 every day from now until Austin gets home. Then, when he's home we can spend the money doing something fun and special. The bright side of this plan is that I either can be excited by the fact that I only deposit $10 twenty times, or I can be excited that we have a jackpot of $400 to spend. Both sides have their pros and cons, but the important thing is it would be a new daily motivator and reminder. Which is exactly what I need.
And last, austin was, as always, the greatest source of encouragement and motivation. He reminded me that when I've done the best this year I have kept my focus on the small victories and the things I have accomplished. Lately the focus has shifted. I know a lot of that roots from the expectation that he would already be home right now, and it's been hard for me to overlook that fact. But that has changed how I look at things. He suggested that rather than look at Melvin in the garage and think about how much I wish Austin had bought it with me, I should look at Melvin and be proud of the fact that I did it myself. I didn't settle for a 'similar' car to what I wanted, I didn't pay more than I had wanted to, and I did it on my own.
I've done a lot on my own, and I do have a lot to be proud of. But I couldn't have done it all without all of the support and encouragement I've had along the way. I finally feel like we are really closing in on the end, and I finally breathe easier because I know Austin will be home soon.
I guess it's true what they say that everything is better in the morning. Amazing what one day can change.
- manda
Dec 5, 2011
They took it away
I’ve been told that counting down is a bad plan with deployments. You never know when a deployment may get extended, and when you have to suddenly add to your count down its depressing. I’ve even had someone suggest that rather than countdown we should “count up”. The suggestion was to have a vase or a jar or some sort of container where I could see the “time” add up and I could see how far I’ve come. Maybe it’d be marbles or pennies or some other visual representation of the time that has passed. The idea is that rather than wishing time away, we be grateful for the days we’ve had and proud of how far we’ve come.
It sounds more brilliant than it is, if you ask me.
I like counting down. Even when my calendar said 270 days I liked seeing the number slowly decrease. I bought a dry erase calendar for my fridge where I marked milestone days such as 200, 150, etc and then as we were nearing the end I had the calendar marked for every 10 days. “50” “40” “30”. Yes, I had 30 marked. At one point I could SEE that the 30 day marker was fast approaching. Well, maybe not FAST approaching but slowly coming upon us. I know to some people seeing the countdown the entire way through may seem daunting but for me, marking off the days and seeing progress that way was a morale booster. Or, at least, a morale maintain-er.
When I wrote out the calendar for September the upper right hand corner said “91”. At some point in that first or second week I had to erase that and change it to 116. It was demoralizing. It was excruciating. It physically pained me to do it, but I did. I whined and sulked for a little bit, but by the time October rolled around I was once again perked up and happy to write 87 in the upper hand corner. I marked the days that represented 75 days out and 60 days out…and then on November 1 I was able to mark 50 and 40 and 30. The upper right hand corner read “56” and it was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders to see the countdown getting so low. 56 days – TOTALLY doable.
Then when the second supposed extension came out I was defeated. I was angry. I contemplated ripping down my calendar, but decided short of that I’d just erase my countdown. With tear filled eyes I erased all of my numbers and what was left was just a run of the mill family calendar. It held no significance and did nothing for my morale or spirits. It was just another calendar, one to add to my collection that I’m too embarrassed to admit.
The hardest part about this new “extension” is that I do not have a date. Even if I mustered up the courage and strength to strap on my smile and start counting again – I have no date to which I can count. Maybe he will be home in December, or maybe he’ll be home before my life at work becomes hell on January 5. Or maybe he won’t be home until I’m in the thick of year end nastiness on January 15 when I will be able to greet him with a “welcome home, see you in 10 days” kiss. Maybe I really am within that 30 day window I was so ecstatic about one month ago or maybe I still have well over a month to go. I don’t know, and it’s killing me. It’s hard to get geared up and excited when you aren’t even sure what you’re getting geared up for, so my excitement is hardly recognizable. I don’t have much Christmas cheer (despite the fact that I’ve bought more Christmas presents than I had ever planned to buy) and I don’t have that turbo-boost that usually comes at the end of a race.
So I revisited the idea of counting up. And I decided I feel the same way as I did back when it was first suggested. I have loved this year with William. Please don’t misunderstand. I have not wished this year away and I have thoroughly enjoyed every laugh, every cuddle, every hug and every kiss…I’ve enjoyed getting to know the precious personality he was given and trying to shape that personality into a well mannered, well behaved, busy little boy. I’ve loved it. But I don’t want to count up. I don’t want to look at how far I’ve come. I don’t want to think about the number of days I’ve spent without my husband. I don’t want to stare at a vase full of marbles and think to myself, “my, I’m a strong woman look what I’ve done”. I just want to look on my fridge and see the numbers “3…2…1…” and I want to run to Denver International Airport in my slightly overdressed ensemble and attempt to sprint into his arms in 5 inch heels. I just want it to be over so I can try to forget it ever happened. I want to remember the good parts of 2011, and I want the bad parts to disappear.
- manda
It sounds more brilliant than it is, if you ask me.
I like counting down. Even when my calendar said 270 days I liked seeing the number slowly decrease. I bought a dry erase calendar for my fridge where I marked milestone days such as 200, 150, etc and then as we were nearing the end I had the calendar marked for every 10 days. “50” “40” “30”. Yes, I had 30 marked. At one point I could SEE that the 30 day marker was fast approaching. Well, maybe not FAST approaching but slowly coming upon us. I know to some people seeing the countdown the entire way through may seem daunting but for me, marking off the days and seeing progress that way was a morale booster. Or, at least, a morale maintain-er.
When I wrote out the calendar for September the upper right hand corner said “91”. At some point in that first or second week I had to erase that and change it to 116. It was demoralizing. It was excruciating. It physically pained me to do it, but I did. I whined and sulked for a little bit, but by the time October rolled around I was once again perked up and happy to write 87 in the upper hand corner. I marked the days that represented 75 days out and 60 days out…and then on November 1 I was able to mark 50 and 40 and 30. The upper right hand corner read “56” and it was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders to see the countdown getting so low. 56 days – TOTALLY doable.
Then when the second supposed extension came out I was defeated. I was angry. I contemplated ripping down my calendar, but decided short of that I’d just erase my countdown. With tear filled eyes I erased all of my numbers and what was left was just a run of the mill family calendar. It held no significance and did nothing for my morale or spirits. It was just another calendar, one to add to my collection that I’m too embarrassed to admit.
The hardest part about this new “extension” is that I do not have a date. Even if I mustered up the courage and strength to strap on my smile and start counting again – I have no date to which I can count. Maybe he will be home in December, or maybe he’ll be home before my life at work becomes hell on January 5. Or maybe he won’t be home until I’m in the thick of year end nastiness on January 15 when I will be able to greet him with a “welcome home, see you in 10 days” kiss. Maybe I really am within that 30 day window I was so ecstatic about one month ago or maybe I still have well over a month to go. I don’t know, and it’s killing me. It’s hard to get geared up and excited when you aren’t even sure what you’re getting geared up for, so my excitement is hardly recognizable. I don’t have much Christmas cheer (despite the fact that I’ve bought more Christmas presents than I had ever planned to buy) and I don’t have that turbo-boost that usually comes at the end of a race.
So I revisited the idea of counting up. And I decided I feel the same way as I did back when it was first suggested. I have loved this year with William. Please don’t misunderstand. I have not wished this year away and I have thoroughly enjoyed every laugh, every cuddle, every hug and every kiss…I’ve enjoyed getting to know the precious personality he was given and trying to shape that personality into a well mannered, well behaved, busy little boy. I’ve loved it. But I don’t want to count up. I don’t want to look at how far I’ve come. I don’t want to think about the number of days I’ve spent without my husband. I don’t want to stare at a vase full of marbles and think to myself, “my, I’m a strong woman look what I’ve done”. I just want to look on my fridge and see the numbers “3…2…1…” and I want to run to Denver International Airport in my slightly overdressed ensemble and attempt to sprint into his arms in 5 inch heels. I just want it to be over so I can try to forget it ever happened. I want to remember the good parts of 2011, and I want the bad parts to disappear.
- manda
Dec 1, 2011
Melvin
Two blogs in one day…and on a day when I’m very busy at work…interesting! Technically I wrote the William blog yesterday and just had to add pictures, and if I sit here and think about state taxes for another minute I might burst. So I have something more fun/exciting/thrilling/beautiful to talk about.
MELVIN!!!!!!!!
My mom’s dad’s name was Melvin Jesse Ford. I don’t remember him as he passed away when I was 2, but I hear he was as cool as they came. He was a true horse whisperer, he was a stunt double for Roy Rogers (is that who Aunt Mandy?), he carried the Texas Flag as he rode his horse in the centennial parade, and he was the reason my mom had such high standards for a husband. In turn, her high standards resulted in my dad which gave me super duper high standards, which has ultimately resulted in me having the best husband on the face of the earth. Period.
Point of the story: Melvin Jesse Ford was awesome. So, when looking for the most awesome of awesome names for my new car, Melvin was the perfect fit. I had liked the nickname Expy as I waited for a final name, I liked the idea of naming it after one of the famous explorers like Cortez or … well I don’t know history very well so Cortez. And Dora was even on the board. (get it? Dora the Explorer?) But when Austin nicknamed it DF for Damn Ford, it made me think of my mom’s mom because her initials were DF. I didn’t think “Dorothy” was suitable, but that took me to Melvin. And there you have it – my explorer has the coolest name ever and is unlike other vehicles in its gender. Deal with it.
Meet Melvin!
I was a bit particular about what I wanted. I wanted captains chairs in the middle row, a moonroof, and the navigation and all the toys that come with it. But I didn’t want a DVD player and I didn’t want the extra package that included blind spot monitoring, park assist, and cruise control assist. The trouble was finding one that fit the bill! I worked with 2 different dealers and both tried to sell me vehicles that were close but not exact, until Jon finally realized I had time to buy and I wasn’t going to be persuaded into a car I didn’t want. So when he texted me the window sticker of exactly what I wanted I said “SOLD!” I had wanted to pick it up this Saturday but he wanted the sale in his November books, so last night Brian was wonderful and drove all the way up to Denver to play with William so I could take care of car paperwork. Before Brian took William back home William climbed all over Melvin, turned on the navigation and radio, and played with the steering wheel while the speakers blared “bad to the bone”. It was perfect!
Sorry the pictures aren't great I took them at 10pm in my freezing cold garage!
In case I forget what I drive it's written everywhere...
And because nothing can be perfect, Melvin does have one slight flaw
But Microsoft can't be all that bad can it?
I hated that Austin wasn’t with me, but he did stay up late and was online the whole time so it was as close as it could come. And I can’t wait to pick him up at the airport in our new car!
- manda
MELVIN!!!!!!!!
My mom’s dad’s name was Melvin Jesse Ford. I don’t remember him as he passed away when I was 2, but I hear he was as cool as they came. He was a true horse whisperer, he was a stunt double for Roy Rogers (is that who Aunt Mandy?), he carried the Texas Flag as he rode his horse in the centennial parade, and he was the reason my mom had such high standards for a husband. In turn, her high standards resulted in my dad which gave me super duper high standards, which has ultimately resulted in me having the best husband on the face of the earth. Period.
Point of the story: Melvin Jesse Ford was awesome. So, when looking for the most awesome of awesome names for my new car, Melvin was the perfect fit. I had liked the nickname Expy as I waited for a final name, I liked the idea of naming it after one of the famous explorers like Cortez or … well I don’t know history very well so Cortez. And Dora was even on the board. (get it? Dora the Explorer?) But when Austin nicknamed it DF for Damn Ford, it made me think of my mom’s mom because her initials were DF. I didn’t think “Dorothy” was suitable, but that took me to Melvin. And there you have it – my explorer has the coolest name ever and is unlike other vehicles in its gender. Deal with it.
Meet Melvin!
I was a bit particular about what I wanted. I wanted captains chairs in the middle row, a moonroof, and the navigation and all the toys that come with it. But I didn’t want a DVD player and I didn’t want the extra package that included blind spot monitoring, park assist, and cruise control assist. The trouble was finding one that fit the bill! I worked with 2 different dealers and both tried to sell me vehicles that were close but not exact, until Jon finally realized I had time to buy and I wasn’t going to be persuaded into a car I didn’t want. So when he texted me the window sticker of exactly what I wanted I said “SOLD!” I had wanted to pick it up this Saturday but he wanted the sale in his November books, so last night Brian was wonderful and drove all the way up to Denver to play with William so I could take care of car paperwork. Before Brian took William back home William climbed all over Melvin, turned on the navigation and radio, and played with the steering wheel while the speakers blared “bad to the bone”. It was perfect!
Sorry the pictures aren't great I took them at 10pm in my freezing cold garage!
In case I forget what I drive it's written everywhere...
And because nothing can be perfect, Melvin does have one slight flaw
But Microsoft can't be all that bad can it?
I hated that Austin wasn’t with me, but he did stay up late and was online the whole time so it was as close as it could come. And I can’t wait to pick him up at the airport in our new car!
- manda
William Wednesday
I wrote this yesterday...oops...
This week was jam packed and I feel like I just sat down to write last week’s William post. I am sure I am going to miss a LOT of things from this week, I just can’t remember! It’s hard to enough to remember the pieces I do know!
After work last week uncle oh gosh picked William up from school. Brian was SO proud that William actually called him “brian” in the truck, but he later learned that William wasn’t saying that at all. Actually, William was pointing out the bright sun shining in his face. He says “brigh yun” for bright sun, and he says it anytime it is in his eyes. Ooops, guess Brian has to live with Oh Gosh a little bit longer.
William was very excited at the airport about all of the buses and trucks and planes and trains that he saw, and I thought we did a good job wearing him out. Apparently not good enough because he was awake for half of our flight that took off at 9pm! That means he didn’t fall asleep until after 10, which is the latest he’s ever stayed up. I was TIRED! He was very well behaved though and was relaxed, just too excited to sleep I guess. Once we got to Houston he was too confused to sleep so he didn’t really get to sleep until 1am. But, surprisingly he was not too fussy on Thanksgiving. I’d guess not, though, with 20 people around to entertain him! After a busy morning of playing with Yaya and Papa, an afternoon of hopping between uncles and family-friends, we went over to Cici and Pop’s house for the evening. There’s no way he would have napped with 20 people at my mom’s house, so I’m very glad we had a mid-afternoon drive to make. He slept in the car and I drove around awhile to let him get good rest.
Once at their house though he was bombarded with hugs and kisses and presents from his cousins, aunts/uncles and Cici and Pop of course! Herb’s daughters and their kids were in town, and their kids are all somewhere around 10. So having a 2 year old was fun times to them! So much so that on Friday at the zoo they were all punished for fighting over him too much. Oops!
That’s right, Friday we went to the Houston zoo. It is william’s third zoo trip and we still haven’t gone to the one in the city where we live. We should get on that! He had fun, and the weather was great! No humidity and the best weather of the weekend. I am so glad we went that day. It was definitely the longest trip I’ve ever had to the zoo I think, and I was more tired than anyone else by the end of it. But I guess that’s how it goes with 4 families all together. It was a great trip though and I was really impressed with all of the updates and renovations to the zoo since the last time I was there.
Saturday after yaya taught William all the letters of his name, he got to spend the day with his God-family and I hear he had a fantastic time. I didn’t get a SINGLE picture or update, so I can’t really tell you about it. I guess it was top secret J But he was in one piece when I got him back and had napped for 2 hours, so I’d say it went well. And Brianna may have a career in babysitting.
Saturday night was – I think – the highlight of William’s week. We had a Mexican Fiesta with all of our family and William had SO MUCH FUN bouncing from person to person, couch to couch, rolling balls and climbing all over things that I never thought were toys. The entire house was a jungle gym and he thought everyone’s laps were there just for him. There was rarely a moment when I didn’t hear the shrieks of his laughter, and I was told repeatedly how infectious and wonderful his laugh is. It really is! It comes from deep within his gut and you can’t help but laugh yourself when you hear it. It has so much joy and happiness laced in it.
Sunday was the highlight of MY week as we got to spend the day with “baby lelli” as William calls her.
He got jealous twice when I was holding her, but luckily his two uncles were enough fun to keep him from even realizing that Kelli had all of my attention. Around nap time Oh Gosh tried to calm him down to sleep, but William wanted his blanket and dada doll…and really, he wanted to go to sleep on his own terms! So he wriggled out of Brian’s arms, Yaya got his sleeping necessities from the car, and he climbed up onto brandon’s lap to take a nap. Within 10 minutes all 4 boys were out cold and we could hear Brandon’s snoring throughout the house.
I was heart broken when we had to leave, and I think William was a little sad too because this morning he was crying for baby lelli.
He was very good on our flights home on Monday and he even got to play in the cockpit on our layover in Austin. He loved the steering wheel (well, its not quite a wheel is it) and was fascinated that when he moved one, the other moved with it. He also tore the papers that looked to be the instructions to denver…luckily we made it home safely!
He didn’t throw one tantrum all week until Tuesday morning when we were back at home and he was stuck with boring old mom. Had to wake up early, get dressed and out the door quickly, and didn’t have his posse of people catering to his every whim. The poor, poor child.
As for developmental updates or milestones…man, I don’t even know. He talks talks talks, and this week he ATE ATE ATE. Then this morning out of nowhere his head was taller than the headrest in his car seat.
WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? Apparently all that food was going somewhere! He picks up on words like its nothing – repeats almost anything you ask him to and sometimes things you don’t want him to. And his memory is impeccable! Monday night he told me that Emmitt (brandon’s dog) is at uncle brandon’s house. Well, really mhe said “branon owws” but you get the idea. He is as sharp as a tack and nothing gets by that kid. I have said it before and I’ll say it for the next 18+ years…I have some busy, busy years ahead of me!!!
- manda
This week was jam packed and I feel like I just sat down to write last week’s William post. I am sure I am going to miss a LOT of things from this week, I just can’t remember! It’s hard to enough to remember the pieces I do know!
After work last week uncle oh gosh picked William up from school. Brian was SO proud that William actually called him “brian” in the truck, but he later learned that William wasn’t saying that at all. Actually, William was pointing out the bright sun shining in his face. He says “brigh yun” for bright sun, and he says it anytime it is in his eyes. Ooops, guess Brian has to live with Oh Gosh a little bit longer.
William was very excited at the airport about all of the buses and trucks and planes and trains that he saw, and I thought we did a good job wearing him out. Apparently not good enough because he was awake for half of our flight that took off at 9pm! That means he didn’t fall asleep until after 10, which is the latest he’s ever stayed up. I was TIRED! He was very well behaved though and was relaxed, just too excited to sleep I guess. Once we got to Houston he was too confused to sleep so he didn’t really get to sleep until 1am. But, surprisingly he was not too fussy on Thanksgiving. I’d guess not, though, with 20 people around to entertain him! After a busy morning of playing with Yaya and Papa, an afternoon of hopping between uncles and family-friends, we went over to Cici and Pop’s house for the evening. There’s no way he would have napped with 20 people at my mom’s house, so I’m very glad we had a mid-afternoon drive to make. He slept in the car and I drove around awhile to let him get good rest.
Once at their house though he was bombarded with hugs and kisses and presents from his cousins, aunts/uncles and Cici and Pop of course! Herb’s daughters and their kids were in town, and their kids are all somewhere around 10. So having a 2 year old was fun times to them! So much so that on Friday at the zoo they were all punished for fighting over him too much. Oops!
That’s right, Friday we went to the Houston zoo. It is william’s third zoo trip and we still haven’t gone to the one in the city where we live. We should get on that! He had fun, and the weather was great! No humidity and the best weather of the weekend. I am so glad we went that day. It was definitely the longest trip I’ve ever had to the zoo I think, and I was more tired than anyone else by the end of it. But I guess that’s how it goes with 4 families all together. It was a great trip though and I was really impressed with all of the updates and renovations to the zoo since the last time I was there.
Saturday after yaya taught William all the letters of his name, he got to spend the day with his God-family and I hear he had a fantastic time. I didn’t get a SINGLE picture or update, so I can’t really tell you about it. I guess it was top secret J But he was in one piece when I got him back and had napped for 2 hours, so I’d say it went well. And Brianna may have a career in babysitting.
Saturday night was – I think – the highlight of William’s week. We had a Mexican Fiesta with all of our family and William had SO MUCH FUN bouncing from person to person, couch to couch, rolling balls and climbing all over things that I never thought were toys. The entire house was a jungle gym and he thought everyone’s laps were there just for him. There was rarely a moment when I didn’t hear the shrieks of his laughter, and I was told repeatedly how infectious and wonderful his laugh is. It really is! It comes from deep within his gut and you can’t help but laugh yourself when you hear it. It has so much joy and happiness laced in it.
Sunday was the highlight of MY week as we got to spend the day with “baby lelli” as William calls her.
He got jealous twice when I was holding her, but luckily his two uncles were enough fun to keep him from even realizing that Kelli had all of my attention. Around nap time Oh Gosh tried to calm him down to sleep, but William wanted his blanket and dada doll…and really, he wanted to go to sleep on his own terms! So he wriggled out of Brian’s arms, Yaya got his sleeping necessities from the car, and he climbed up onto brandon’s lap to take a nap. Within 10 minutes all 4 boys were out cold and we could hear Brandon’s snoring throughout the house.
I was heart broken when we had to leave, and I think William was a little sad too because this morning he was crying for baby lelli.
He was very good on our flights home on Monday and he even got to play in the cockpit on our layover in Austin. He loved the steering wheel (well, its not quite a wheel is it) and was fascinated that when he moved one, the other moved with it. He also tore the papers that looked to be the instructions to denver…luckily we made it home safely!
He didn’t throw one tantrum all week until Tuesday morning when we were back at home and he was stuck with boring old mom. Had to wake up early, get dressed and out the door quickly, and didn’t have his posse of people catering to his every whim. The poor, poor child.
As for developmental updates or milestones…man, I don’t even know. He talks talks talks, and this week he ATE ATE ATE. Then this morning out of nowhere his head was taller than the headrest in his car seat.
WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? Apparently all that food was going somewhere! He picks up on words like its nothing – repeats almost anything you ask him to and sometimes things you don’t want him to. And his memory is impeccable! Monday night he told me that Emmitt (brandon’s dog) is at uncle brandon’s house. Well, really mhe said “branon owws” but you get the idea. He is as sharp as a tack and nothing gets by that kid. I have said it before and I’ll say it for the next 18+ years…I have some busy, busy years ahead of me!!!
- manda
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