One word from the Big Boy....

"Shruckump!"

Why I thought I was having a girl....

Baby D, I have to tell ya - you surprised me. I know no two pregnancies are the same, but before we found out you were a boy at our 20 week appointment (on August 22nd)... I was sure you were going to be a girl.

Why? Well, let's see... at the beginning of my pregnancy with you, everything was completely different. And by everything, I mean that I had virtually no nausea. With Big Boy, I was sick for the first 3 months solid. With you, I was sick a total of 2 days. That was it! And so I just knew you were going to be a girl!

I was really relieved when I found out you were a boy! I think it would be fun to have a girl, but now I don't have to deal with princesses and that kind of stuff. Now, I will get all kinds of fun boy things, like cars and dinosaurs, mud and bugs. And I am so happy! It will be just me and my guys....

And I cannot wait to see you and Big Boy grow up together. Bunk beds and everything - I think you two will be great friends. I know there will be plenty of fights (Daddy is already teaching Big Boy about wrestling - don't worry, he'll get you caught up!), but I also know there will be plenty of love.

I always felt like I would be a Momma to boys. The Lord knew my heart, and He has filled me to overflowing!

I was going to post an ultrasound picture showing you are a boy - but the pictures are all kind of.... explicit!

My Musical Man

Big Boy, I have big hopes for you. With your Daddy's natural talent and my desire in you somewhere (I hope!), I hope you're going to be big stuff musically. That's my dream for you - to be able to experience the joy of music - the emotional and spiritual outlet that music is. That's my dream for both of my guys, in fact. I just don't know about you yet, Baby D. I haven't seen your "moves" yet.



You, on the other hand, Big Boy, show everyone your moves. You should've seen yourself rocking out tonight to some DMB. You were on fire! As soon as I figure out this online video thing, I'll post some footage that your Daddy took of you tonight. I think you're going to be a drummer - you're always beating on something, and your dance moves are, well... singular. I've never seen anybody use his arms the way you do! I'm such a proud Momma!



And then - you sing so many songs! You love to sing your ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves Me, Old McDonald, and the Itsy-Bitsy Spider. And you're always surprising me by singing snippets of songs that are on CDs that we play together. Absolutely amazing. I think I have some Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on video, too... I'll post that sometime this month.



My Musical Man... Lord, help me show my children how to worship you in song - in spirit and in truth!

Why your Momma is "cool"

Ha! I have no idea what else to call this post, guys... I don't need for you to think I'm "cool" in anyway. I'm a parent now, and I distinctly remember how un-cool parents are. And I don't need to be your friend - the Lord has put me here to be your Mom, not your BFF. What I do want, and will be working to instill in you both, is your love and respect. I haven't thought much further than that, yet, so there may be more that I want, but I know those two will always top the list!

Anyway - I was thinking about something that happened to me in the past, and I thought to myself, "I need to remember to tell the boys that when they get older. They'll think that's so cool!" (see the first thing on my list). So I thought this would be a perfect place to write it (and other things) down, so that if I do forget to tell you, you'll be able to read it someday. And I'm trying to gear this to you two as boys - but if I sneak something in that might be a bit girly, well... it's because I think it's cool. So here goes!

• I once talked with John Elway (don't worry - you'll know who this is). Well, maybe talked with is a little... hm, let's say I spoke to him. And he did speak back. But we didn't really "talk with" each other. Back story: when I was in grad school in Colorado, the Broncos did their pre-season training at UNC - and were often working out at the Rec Center during normal hours. It was pretty much an unwritten rule that if they were in here working out, you did not hound them for autographs, etc. Well, one day I happened to be at the Rec Center playing racquetball with my roommate, and I walked across the gym floor for something - probably some water. John Elway was walking past me, and I said, "hi..." He, in return, said, "Hey." I'm pretty sure that's how it went. I don't remember exactly because I was too excited. But I think it was really cool. It was the year that he retired.
• Said roommate of the racquetball game was Miss Alabama in 1995 - and she made it to the top 10 in the Miss America Pagent. Yeah, she is really pretty.
• I can sing 2 tones at one time. This is not a common thing - the only other people I know of that can do this are a group of monks in Tibet. I do not sound pretty when I do this - I used to freak out my roommates when I did it.
• Some milestones you might think are cool when you get older: Becoming a college professor at age 22. Getting my Master's degree at age 23. Owning a home by age 25.
• I was one of the only people in my high school (and college for that matter) who drove a stick shift (don't worry - you'll know how to do this one day, too). I'm not sure why - but none of the other girls did, and only some of the guys. I happen to think that this is an indispensable skill, and it allowed me to be able to get into any car at anytime and drive if the situation called for it. It has allowed me to drive some pretty cool cars, period!
• If you turn out to be musicians, you'll think this is cool - I sang with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw - while in high school. It was the best opportunity I had in my musical career - it taught me so much about music and about me.
• I love The Beatles (don't worry - you will know who this is).
• I love football (Go 'Skins!) and baseball (Go Braves!). I love watching hockey, but only live games (and I don't have a favorite team). I like watching golf - it's good to nap to (and don't worry, you dad knows I feel this way).
• When I played intramural (flag) football in college, I got the most penalties called on me, because when I ran at all the "little" girls in my way, they would just fall down. I swear, I never touched them! But they fell down, and I got in trouble. Humph.
• When I played football with the guys, I could get the QB more often then not. So there. And no "little" girls fell down. Only if I knocked them down.

OK - that's all the boy-coolness I can think of now. A lot things would continue to fall into girly-coolness, so I'll leave them off - but if you want to know, just ask!

Love you guys!

Ok, guys....

You guys are wearing me out. I have no idea how I'm going to make it through the last 2 months of this pregnancy...

Baby D - why won't you let me sleep? Just as I lie down to go to bed, you start kicking. Then my mind starts racing, and I realize how incredibly uncomfortable I am, so I get up. Hopefully I'll be able to get to sleep before 2:00am. That has seemed to be the magic hour for me lately.

I would also like to know what is up with the heartburn and hip pain? And why such extreme hip pain? Why not just a little? When I lay down on my side (the only way I can sleep right now), it makes the pain worse. I'm ready for you to be here, Baby D. To hold you in my arms, to put an end to this pain, and to start our new life with you!

Big Boy - why did you have to start your "terrible twos" so early? I can't deal with tantrums right now! Mentally, emotionally, and physically - when you break down, I want to break down. Granted, when you are good, you are very, very good. For example, I was crying today for some reason, and you walked into the room when you heard me. You asked, "Momma crying?" I said, "Yes, sweetie, Momma's crying. Can you give me a hug?" You walked right over and gave me a big hug and a kiss (I didn't even ask for a kiss!), and you snuggled right into me. Helped me stop crying almost immediately - all I could do was hug you close. Then, for whatever reason, you reached up to my face and tried to push my frown away. That's the only way I can describe it - you reached up and pushed the sides of my mouth up like you wanted me to smile. It was so... sweet and compassionate.


I'll save the descriptions of your tantrums for a later date. Let's end on this happy note...

"Mommy's Journal"

In April of this year, I started a "Mommy's Journal" - just a Word document on my desktop that I was going to enter things into daily about you, Big Boy... well, as you'll see below, I didn't keep up with it that well - and I kept apologizing for it there, too! That's why I started this blog - thinking that if it was out there for others to read, too, it might motivate me more.

I wanted to have the entries I made into this "journal" here, too, so everything was in one place. So here goes!

Mommy’s Journal About the Big Boy.
Finally.
Started this day, April 18, 2007.
10:31am.

I feel so bad about not having written things down lately. I have tons of notes from your first year, and I will be transferring them into your baby book. Some day. But there are so many things you do each day that crack me and your daddy up, and I want to share them with you. Our computer is now in our den, so I can watch you be adorable and then run and write about it.
For example, today you have already done the cutest things:
Laid on your belly and picked up the dust bunnies from underneath the butcher block island in the kitchen. Maybe this isn’t so cute, because it’s pretty gross that there are still dust bunnies underneath the island, but it was pretty funny. You were absolutely silent, and I just knew something was going on.
Signed “Thank you” to Gam when she gave you a piece of her apple. And this was after you said and signed “Please” to her. You’re adorable!

I’m sure there will be more today. This is just what I can remember from this morning.

Now I need to get started on a list of what you can say, so I can show the Dr. how amazingly smart you are when we go for your 15 month check-up next week.

Things You Can Say At 15 Months Old:
Mama

Da = dad
No (can shake head)

Yes (can nod)
OK My = mine
Daw = dog

Ca = cat
Meow Moo
Bir = bird (can sign)

Duh = duck
KaKaKa = quack

Pees = please (can sign)
Mo = more (can sign)

Ta ta = Thank you (can sign)
Cah = car

Tuh = truck
Go

Bye
Hi

Ah-doh = hello
Ah-to = Achoo

MeMe = Madelyn
Goo = Uncle Drew

Buh = book
Chuh = train

Oo Oo Oo = monkey
Boo = balloon

Yuck = yucky
Sah = sock

Choo = shoe
Toe

Noe = nose
Ba = ball

Ju = juice
Mih = milk

You can also do a plethora of amazing things…

May 22, 2007
Picking up after a long lapse…

I intended to write in here on a regular basis… you’re such a busy boy to chase after, though!

The list of the amazing things you can do continues to grow… and what used to be amazing is now commonplace for you. The new things I’ve seen you do in the past couple days include hitting (especially hitting me), hugging your daddy without being asked (this is the sweetest thing ever), running in circles, sharing your goldfish crackers, and laughing while I brush your teeth. You are the cutest thing ever (except for the hitting).

That’s right! You’re going to be a big brother! And you’re going to be such a good big brother. You love other kids – both older and younger. I can’t wait to see you with your little sibling.

I'm sorry, guys....

I really wanted to keep up with this as a way to capture my thoughts and feelings during my pregnancy with you, Baby D (sorry - Daddy does not like "Buddy" for you - so it's Baby D until something else sticks...) and to document your ever-changing self, Big Boy. There are hundreds of excuses, but no more! Last night, I signed up to participate in NaBloPoMo, which will have me posting every day in November!!! I already have a list of things I want to tell you guys about - so I will pour it all out to you in the next 30 days.... I'm excited.

I love you both.

Momma