Just wanted to put a few pictures up of our fall festivities. Happy Halloween! (Does it make me a bad mother that I didn’t even tell Ethan today was actually Halloween and also didn’t take him trick-or-treating? We had church tonight and didn’t have time to do the t-o-t thing beforehand. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of years ahead where he’s counting down the hours until it’s dark enough to go.)

Pumpkin patch with the Pilgrims and Glovers

Trunk-or-Treat at church

(thanks, Jess, for the great costume for Rachel!)

Halloween party at Ethan’s preschool
(in case any of you have heard me talk about it before, the girl in the cow costume is Texas…yes, that is the name her parents gave her because they are longhorn fans. Poor girl.)

Ethan, Rachel and I had the pleasure of spending our morning at the pediatrician’s office. Rachel has been snotty and coughing for a few weeks now, but it just got to the “maybe I should call the doctor phase” this weekend. And then Ethan had a bad day yesterday with a little breathing trouble, coughing, etc. So, I thought I would kill 2 birds with one stone and take them both in this morning (and parents – don’t think you get away with 1 copay when you do the double appointment thing…they go ahead and double that, too!).

So, we pack up and arrive around 8:50 where we had to wait about 15 minutes in the lobby. Ethan had to pee…then poop (which is always fun with a baby in your lap) … then get a snack…you get the picture. We get called back and they weigh the kids (little Ray-Bug is 20 pounds now!) and send us to our room. I tell the nurse what’s going on and a few minutes later the nurse practitioner (she is wonderful) comes in. She barely gets her stethescope up to Rachel’s chest and says we need to go ahead and do a breathing treatment for her in the office because her lungs are so congested. I guess I should have taken her in 2 weeks ago. Thankfully Ethan’s lungs were clear, but he has an ear infection.

Well, in case you’re wondering, 8 month olds HATE breathing treatments. I really think 5 shots would have been better than holding her through that thing. And you’re probably thinking…hmmm…should have whipped out the snacks at this point for some good distraction. I thought of that. I had a bowl of cheerios and goldfish for this very instance, and had it sitting nicely beside me on the table. Insert a screaming baby and a well-intentioned 3 year old who just wanted to help and you get cheerios and goldfish all over the floor…and then stepped on as Ethan is trying to get out of the way. Oh well.

So, 2 hours, 2 prescriptions, 2 patients, 2 follow-up appointments and 2 copays later…we’re heading home.

And have you ever said something that doesn’t sound stupid when it’s going from your brain to your mouth, but upon instant recollection it’s one of the least thought out things you’ve ever said? Yeah, that happened to me in the waiting room this morning. So, there’s a lady in there … a midget …with her baby in an infant carrier. This poor woman has an infant carrier that literally drags the ground as she’s walking, a diaper bag, her purse, a cup of coffee, the clipboard, and a burp rag. She looks at me with that “where’s my husband when you need him most” look, and I say, “It’s hard to believe that a little person can have so much stuff.” Yep, you read that right. Again, it sounded nice in my head, but completely humiliating when it came out of my mouth. I followed it up with something ridiculous like, “Boy, BABIES (putting LOTS of emphasis on this) just have so much stuff!” I could almost hear her eyes rolling as she walked past me.

I heard a very interesting conversation coming from the backseat on the way home from school this afternoon.  It went something like this:

E (with right hand in air):  Stop it!

E (with left hand in air):  No!

E (with right hand in air):  You need to share.

E (with left hand in air):  It’s my plane.

E (with right hand in air):  I want a turn.

E:  Mommy, my hands aren’t sharing the airplane.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN! This time 3 years ago we were very worried for our little baby who was in the NICU, and God has blessed us beyond measure with Ethan William. He perfectly fits in as our son, the firstborn, a brother, a cousin, a grandson, a nephew and a friend. He definitely keeps things interesting around here, and always surprises us with things he knows, remembers, keeps tabs on, etc. I was lying in bed with him last night singing to him (something he hasn’t asked me to do in a long time), and I found myself very emotional about the fact that he’s 3 years old. I guess I’ll need a box of kleenex with me when I’m lying in bed with him on his 5th, 7th, 10th birthdays. I just don’t know how 3 years can go by like this. While I do miss him being a baby, I’m also so excited about going places with him as he gets older, sharing things with him, having conversations with him.

Ethan – while I know you know that you are loved, I’m not sure your little self can fathom how special you are to me, and how you just fill my entire body with joy. You bring out the best in me (most of the time), and one of my favorite parts of each week is riding in the car to and from school every Tuesday and Thursday. I love our conversations about the trucks we see, the letters we see on signs, the restaurants we’ve eaten at that we pass, and then our prayer once we get to school. I pray that God never lets me forget you at 3 years old – independent, a mom’s boy (you have stopped calling me “mommy” and have switched to “mom”), sweet to your sister until she gets your trains, happy, lovable, thankful, obedient, stubborn as anything, a selective listener, energetic, an outdoorsy boy, a non-picky eater (except for chicken nuggets which must come from Old McDonald’s), playful, and a million other things that make you you.

Yesterday was his actual birthday, and Clay stayed home to help us celebrate all day long.  We made bacon and toast for his birthday breakfast.  Then we let him pick where to go for lunch and he chose Chicken Red’s because they have an outdoor playground.  Last night we celebrated at home with Nana, Poppa, Mimi and Uncle Nathan.  Ethan chose a spaghetti dinner with (soy) ice cream, so that’s what we had.  He got some great gifts, and we had fun playing with new toys and going for a late-night Target run together.   (Clay and Susan – I apologize for your faces in this picture, but it’s the only one I got of everyone together.)

And we had his Curious George birthday party today at a park close to our house.  The weather was perfect, all of the kids had a great time, and for the first year…Ethan actually at his birthday cake!  We used a Cherrybrook Kitchen mix that’s egg and milk free, and he really seemed to like it (I guess anything with a pound of icing on it is good).   It was such a relaxing party, and we loved having our/Ethan’s friends there to help us celebrate.  Of course he got some wonderful things, and I think everyone enjoyed the snacks and cupcakes.  Being surrounded by friends and family for something like this always makes me stop and thank God for the ways He continues to bless us.  And I couldn’t help but think about how Bryan and Ginny and the girls will be able to come to Ethan’s party next year!  Thank you to everyone who helped make our little boy’s birthday so special.  We love you all.

The kiddos…minus Paige, Rachel and Kate who were very busy with other things
 

And just for a little perspective, here is Ethan on his first and third birthdays (apparently the tricycle was well worth the money):

E: Mommy, there are some monsters in your room!
Me: Oh, no.  How many are there?
E:  Two!
Me: What are their names?
E: The red one is “Mommy, Daddy I love you” and the blue one is “Rachel, Rachel where are you”.

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Last Thursday was grandparent’s day at school and Ethan was the luckiest boy there to have 3 grandparents come.  All 3 of them took time from work to come to school and eat lunch with him, and his smile lit up the room.  He was also pretty excited to have Rachel there!  Thank you Mimi, Nana & Poppa for making a little boy’s day.  We love you. 

Ahhh…slightly cooler (meaning slightly bearable) weather.  Both of the kids are much happier outside, which, in turn, means that I’m much happier outside.  Last weekend Clay and Ethan went camping with some friends from church.  This was Ethan’s first time to sleep in a tent, and he loved it.  When they got back Sunday afternoon I had planned on asking him about his favorite part of camping.  But, in true boy form, he ran in the house saying, “Mommy, I pee-peed in the grass!”  Question answered.  I did get a few more details about him driving a blue tractor, playing in the dirt, daddy shooting a gun, and probably lots of other things that contributed to the layers of dirt and grime on his body when he got home. 

Last week we were able to spend some time at the Davis’ backyard playground.  I’m pretty sure Ethan likes their backyard even more than going to a park because there’s so much to do…and because Jack and Jo are there.  We had a nice, cool lunch on the back porch, and Rachel and Kate had fun watching the big kids play.

And Friday was a very big day for Ethan.  My dad has been telling Ethan for a few months now that when he was potty trained he could go fishing.  Well, he is potty trained (hallelujah!) so Poppa and Ethan went on their first of many fishing trips to Brownsboro (where my grandparents live).  The day started with a trip to Wal-Mart where Ethan picked out a Spider Man fishing pole and life jacket.  The got to Granny & Pa’s house, ate lunch, and headed to the creek with Pa and Timmy (my cousin’s son).  While he didn’t catch any fish, Ethan had a blast.  I don’t think we can ever top fishing with Poppa and a Spider Man fishing pole. 

And yesterday Clay and I took the kids to a park near our house to get some fresh air.  We had never been to this park before, and it was so much fun.  They have a pond with ducks and fish, 2 great playgrounds, swings, etc.  Rachel has a new found love for swings and slides, so all was right with the world.  As we were walking along the trail, Ethan ran way ahead of us and turned around and said, “You coming, guys?”.  When did he get so old.

Ray-Bug had her 8 month birthday yesterday.  It’s starting to get hard to remember what our family was like before she was here.  She is so much fun right now…as long as I’m holding her or in her sight.  It’s so much fun to go out with her because she will smile, wave and say “bye” to anyone who will give her a glance.  Here are some things about Rachel Ryan at 8 months old:

• Last Thursday she demonstrated getting from her stomach to sitting (this has greatly decreased the frustration for this little one)
• Friday she started “crawling” – just a couple of scoots forward and then back on her stomach
• Yesterday Clay went to get her from her nap and found her standing in her crib for the first time – good thing we decided to put the side up!
• She loves books and wants to read them over and over – of course her favorite part is tasting all of them
• She’ll eat absolutely anything – we’re SO thankful for this
• She’s still a great sleeper, although she does protest at each and every nap
• She’s completely weaned and doesn’t seem to be phased by the formula
• Her favorite thing to do with Ethan is play piano – followed closely by rolling the ball back and forth
• She has this great high-pitched squeal when she’s really happy
• She is really enjoying being at Nana’s house on Tuesday and Thursday, and even learned to pull up there
• She takes after her brother by preferring outside to inside – especially when she’s in Poppa’s wagon

Obviously we think she’s sweet and cute and wonderful, and she definitely keeps us on our toes.  Happy 8 Ray!

I stopped counting at around 25 today.  When the kids get to be a little too much, too loud, too needy, too whiney, etc. I say my PEW prayer – Lord, grant me patience, energy and wisdom to be the best mom I can be. 

I was just laughing thinking about how many times I’ve heard my own name today followed by I need, I want, waaaaaaaaahhhhhh…you get the picture.  But life is funny.  I’m sitting here all alone wishing it wasn’t so quiet around here.

…when you pick up your kids from somewhere and the first thing you hear is, “Well…”.  Never good.  After all of my pre-K kids had been picked up today I went to Ethan’s room to get him.  The first thing I saw was a boy who very much resembled my son, but wearing clothes that I had never seen before.  Not only were they clothes I had never seen, they were VERY small clothes.  Could this be Ethan?  Surely not.  The only reason he would be wearing very small clothes is because he had already gone through the clothes he wore to school plus the extra clothes sent in his bag.  Then I hear it.  Mrs. Shawn says, “Well…”.  Oh boy.  Apparently Ethan had no intention of telling her when he had to go to the bathroom today.  None whatsoever.  So, after his second pair of shorts and underwear were wet, his teacher had to rummage through the unclaimed garments in the office that are probably left over from 1995.  He had on underwear that was too big (however they did have Mickey Mouse on them so he was quite proud of himself for that accomplishment), and 6-12 month overalls.  Yes, I’m serious.  (I’m not sure if I’m more embarrassed that he couldn’t control himself today, or that he can fit into such small clothes.)  Of course we talked about it and all he said was that he did use the bathroom…once. 

So, then we go to my mom’s house to pick up Rachel and I had a deja vu experience.  I walk around the house looking for them, and finally wander into my mom’s bathroom where I hear, “Well…”.  Oh boy.  While she doesn’t crawl, the child can scoot herself across a room in about 5 seconds flat.  Not to mention that her places of choice always involve tiny spaces for her fat legs.  She had wedged her feet under a filing cabinet and then pulled her foot out to leave a nice little cut on her toe.  She didn’t cry and the cut really isn’t that bad…no big deal, right?  Wrong.  I had no idea a small child could bleed like that.  Mom and I went through at least half a box of kleenex trying to put pressure on it to get it to stop, but every time we pulled it off it would gush again.  So, there we were with farmer in the dell begging for milk and a super bleeder.  After about 20 minutes and holding her foot above her head (you can imagine how well that went over with her) she finally did stop bleeding. 

So, that has been our day so far.  Clay is out of town today and tomorrow so I hope the evening is just as exciting as the day.