Big Brother Love

I use to believe I seldom get sick because of my healthy diet, staying active, taking vitamins, etc., but I have come to the conclusion that I'm wrong! God says he will never give us more than we can handle, and I believe he knows I don't handle sick very well...hehe!! Not only do I not handle sick well AT ALL, I'm really under the assumption that someone has put a sick curse on me!

Every time Mr. Sick pays me a visit along comes Mr. Bad Timing to keep him company! The last three times Mr. Sick decided to grace me with his presence.....

1. When I was pregnant with Colby and at the beach for a friend's wedding......who gets sick at the beach??

2. When I was 6 months pregnant with Chase and caring for a wild toddler...ON MY BIRTHDAY! Again, who gets sick on their birthday???

3. This time definitely takes the trophy home!! Strep throat with a nursing 6 month old during the time that I have to take my grandmother to radiation and a planned weekend get away quickly approaching in just a few days! I started getting a sore throat around noon Sunday and little did I know, Sunday lunch would be my last meal for a while! I went to a shower that I was hosting and felt my throat getting worse, but I couldn't miss Ashley's shower and I had to deliver this adorable cake...

I know! I'm so proud of myself and the tedious work I put into making this cake!!

Ha! Gotcha for a minute didn't I.....no, I didn't make it, but I really do want to learn how to make cakes, it's my next goal! Chris laughed and told me that if I make a cake and sell it before December 19th that he would purchase me a day at the spa......I guess he doesn't have much confidence in me since we all know Chris is Mr. Frugal!

Anyway, I'm getting way off track...focus Amanda!

Sunday night my throat was hurting so bad that I was on the verge of drooling because I didn't won't to swallow my saliva...it hurt too bad. I would close my eyes, squeeze something, swallow, and try not to cry...yes, it hurt that bad. I would rather have labor pains....well labor pains at 3 or 4cm not labor pains at 7 or 8cm, UGHHH.....just cringed thinking about those!

It got so bad that during the night I almost went to the emergency room thinking my throat was about to close up. I made it through the night without a visit to the ER, but I was waiting at the doctor's doorstep 15 minutes before opening the next morning.

The nurse looked down my throat and immediately said, "oh gosh, Yes you have Strep. She called the intern over and said, "do you want to see what a bad case of strep looks like?"

Sure! Ewwww!

I guess he hasn't had the WHAT NOT TO SAY class yet!

The doctor finally came in and took a look....how in the world are you swallowing? You have to get the shot right now! Okay...sounds good, whatever it takes to stop the pain! The nurse came in to deliver the blow and warned me, "I'm not going to lie, this hurts pretty bad!" What she should have said was, "I'm about to swing a bat and hit you in the hip with great force!"

Once it was over and I felt like I could wobble out to my car, I tried to play off the pain and convince the nurse I was good to go! I thought I was good to go but as I was walking down the hallway and everything turned black, and I knew this couldn't be good.

I remember the nurse saying....

Are you okay?

Your face is very white!

Look at me.

I was so dizzy and then my body just went limp. I could hear her saying, "open your eyes", but I couldn't open them to save my life! The next thing I remember is laying on the floor with my legs propped up, a wet rag on my head, and straw in my mouth.....how embarrassing! As if that wasn't enough.....I started having the shakes and my teeth were clattering uncontrollably! They cut the air off and wrapped me up warm until my body temperature returned to normal. I believe it was a mixture of not eating or drinking any fluids in almost 24hrs....not to mention Chase was taking what little nutrients I did have, and just being so sick and exhausted at that point.

After a good 20 minutes, I was back to normal and on my way home. I say normal but I felt like someone shot a bullet in my butt, stuck a razor blade down my throat, and drugged me. I made it home and as I walked through the door in hopes of crashing on my bed...reality hit quickly!

Chris handed me Chase and said, "he is really hungry and Colby is in there playing, gotta go to work, love you, bye!"

What was I thinking.......SAHMs don't get sick days when their sick. Praise the Lord Colby slept from 12:00-3:00 and Chase is so laid back that he cuddled in the bed with me for 3 hours content as can be!

I went to bed at 8:00 that night and started feeling much better! My sweet little alarm clock went off the next morning, "Good morning mommy!!" Colby climbed in the bed to cuddle, and I noticed something all over his Binky....

What is that on Binky?

Frow up.

What? Throw up? When did you throw-up?

Last night.

Where?

In my bed. Let me show you mommy!

Oh my! You sure did! Why didn't you come get mommy last night?

I frow up in my bed and went back to seep!

Baby, next time you have to come get mommy.

Otay...I will! I want fruit bar mommy!

Heavens help me!!

I knew I had given him strep throat...it's inevitable with all the smooches I give him all day! Chase had a 6 month check-up so I called and scheduled Colby an appointment as well! This was Colby's first time to ever really be sick besides a cold and cough but not anything requiring a shot or throat swab. We play doctor all the time with his little doctor kit and our shots don't hurt so I think he had the wrong impression of a shot. I told him Chase was getting shots and he kept begging, "me too mommy, I get shot too, I sick and need a shot!"

As soon as the doctor walked in he announced, "I soooo sick, I need shot peez!"
I don't guess he remembers his 2 year vaccinations.....poor thing didn't have a clue.

The nurse told him to open wide and he stood tall, opened his mouth, stuck his tongue out and said ahhhhhhh, and she went in for the quick swab. He was shocked that she stuck that stick down his throat...he cried and said, "that not bery nice, you wude!"

He reached his little arms out for me to pick him up and had big crocodile tears running down his mad, red cheeks. The strep test came back positive....good thing he threw up or I would have never known, he was acting fine!

Shot time....
You should have seen him, I felt so bad about how clueless he was. He seriously thought it was going to be just like when I give him pretend shots and he says, tank you mommy, all bedda now!" He was so proud that he was going first as he climbed up on the table and said, "I weady for my shot." I was holding his arms down and telling him what a big boy he was being and then I saw a sweet smile turn into a look of terror and the outburst began.....

Mommy, dat hurt weally bad, weally weally bad

why she do dat

dat was so mean

not bery nice at all

I not ever get shot again

she knew betta that dat mommy!!!!


He was holding onto my neck as tight as possible, as if someone was going to take him away, and I held him back just as tight as I could!

It was over for Colby...so I thought.

The mean lady with the needles said, "okay it's Chase's turn," and Colby had a meltdown.
No mommy

not let her hurt baby Chase

it hurt weally bad

lets go home mommy

I not want baby Chase to ty (cry)!!!

 It was the saddest thing ever but at the same time....the sweetest! He was on the table with Chase, rubbing his head, and reassuring him that it was going to hurt weally bad but it would be otay! When Chase screamed, Colby screamed louder! He cried for his brother and of course...I cried too, so our nurse probably thought we were the crazies! I was so emotional seeing Colby so upset about his brother.....next time Chase has shots I will definitely be getting a babysitter for Colby.

I was holding Chase on one hip and Colby on the other while trying to console them both at one time and Colby said,

"lets go home mommy and don't forget my sucker!"

Good idea Colby and you can get 2 suckers this time!!!

Until Next Time.....

Cloth Diapers.....Easy Peasy!

I have actually heard other mommies talking about their switch to cloth diapers and when Chase's doctor noticed his cloth diaper he informed me that in the past year he has noticed a few other patients wearing cloth......Well, what do you know, Mississippi has made me so proud! We still have a long way to go....I don't see Tidee Didee Diaper Services opening a store near us anytime soon! How awesome would that be....... they actually pick up your dirty diapers and leave fresh, clean ones at your door!

I know most people think cloth diapers are way too much work but it's really not!

look at these fantastic diapers that I use...super easy!

The best part....the snaps adjust sizes and fit from 8lbs- 30! You only have to buy them one time!

Why use cloth?

Save Money

Prevent this....

Yes, that's all diapers...over 18 billion diapers a year are dumped into a landfill.

When your baby is all grown up and has babies of his/her own....his poop diapers will still be there! It takes 300-400 years to decompose.....pretty crazy, huh?

Early potty training....most cloth diaper babies are potty trained a year earlier than the average. This was the case with Colby....he was potty trained at 22 months old.

The most important reason is for the health of your baby! Disposable diapers contain chemicals that can cause cancer, asthma, and infertility......scary info here.

If you use disposable, it's best to use one that is Chlorine free, such as Seventh Generation.

How I do it........

Clean up is easy! If you are breastfeeding exclusively then the poop is all-natural and water soluble so you just throw it in the wash!

I throw my diapers in a bin with a pail liner and when I'm ready to wash, I just pull it out and dump them in the washing machine.....

Now that Chase is eating solids, I have to clean the diaper, but I don't have to dump my hands in poop water.....cloth diapering has come a long way!

Bum Genius diaper sprayer allows you to hook it right up to the potty and spray that bad boy down.....poop comes right off!

I also use flushable diaper liners that catches most of the poop....just remove and flush.

FYI....Disposable diaper packages recommend dumping the poop in the potty before trashing the diaper to prevent contaminating ground water and causing a health hazard in landfills but the majority of people don't take the time!

If I'm out and about, I just take a wet bag to store the dirty diapers until I get home!

See.....it's EASY PEASY!

Cloth diapers are a booty-ful thing!!

Until Next Time.....

Conversations with Colby

Colby, did you know that you are going to school soon?

Yay, I tan't wait!

You will do all kinds of fun things, play with friends, and have a real teacher!

I not have a teacher, I have a mommy, I not need a teacher.....no tank you!

Mommy is your teacher when we do tot school at home but you will have another teacher at your big school.....YAY (really tried to play it up with excitement)!

Ummmm....No tank you mommy!

Every single time Colby gets in trouble or does something he knows is a ticket to time-out, he spouts off......

I soooooo sorry mommy, I not do dat ever again, I love you soooooo much, I know betta dan dat (without taking a breath).

He did this little plead this morning in the waiting room and this sweet little elderly woman almost choked while laughing so hard....bless her heart!

 

Sweet dreams, love you.....close door.

(Yelling) MOMMY!!

What baby

You take care of me, right?

I sure do

You take GOOD care of me mommy!

That boy cracks me up....thanks for the approval little man!


We were pulling out of the driveway and Chris walked right in front of Oddy, so of course I had to honk and scare the bajesus out of him....I know, mean but sooooo funny!

I was laughing hysterically when I turned around to look at Colby (assuming he was chuckling too) he gave me a stern facial expression, pointed at me, and said, "that not bery nice mommy!"

Well, so much for that bright idea.....Chris is pouting, and I'm on the verge of being sent to time-out by a two-year old.

Until Next Time.........

Green Goober!

Yes, you can call me a green goober! I don't use any kind of chemicals in my home, I recycle, I'm in the cloth diaper club, I made Colby's baby food and nothing went in his mouth for the first year of life that wasn't organic...even his smash cake at his 1st birthday!

I sometimes get ragged for being so concerned......especially living in Mississippi  where health usually falls pretty low on the priority list and the motto is "we did it growing up and we are still alive!" Well, my friends.......today isn't the same as yesterday, unfortunately!


I'm so glad I came across Healthy Child Healthy World....you must follow them on Facebook, Great stuff!!

Today I was reading one of their articles   Clean Food Dirty Kids

and this excerpt..........

Plenty of research over the last decade and more has shown how kids benefit from gardening and other time spent in nature.* They’re more confident, patient, responsible and compassionate. They know (and care) more about food and the environment. They learn more easily. Some of that is simple exposure to living, growing things. But a lot of it is the freedom, fresh air and physical activity that lets little brains and bodies find their groove.

Reminded me of this.....

His facial expression says it all......I guess he's finding his groove!!

Until Next Time............

Pool Par-Tay!!

Chris finished Grad school this weekend, and since we are always looking for an excuse to have a party....we celebrated with a little fun in the sun!!

Now....does anyone need a principle, I know the perfect person????

Sarah Spencer made a splash with her unforgettable smile!

Trace & Louie lounging around

Gray soaking up some rays with Daddy

Natalee sun bathing in her beautiful bonnet

Morgan and SS taking a cruise around the pool

Mikey & Bradley tag teaming Justin

Me & My Boys

Chasey-Poo

What a Life!

Colby has mastered jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side all by himself......great now that Summer is almost over, huh? I'm so proud of my little guy!

I'm also very proud of Chris....it's been a lot of hard work. For the past year he has had to work on assignments every night and he kept saying he couldn't wait for the night when he could sit back and enjoy a good book and that's just what he did........

Until Next Time....

Momma said there'd be days like this

Today was the first of 5 weeks taking Mamma Jean to the hospital for radiation (I will update the cancer situation next post). I scheduled the appointment for 9:10 since Colby awakes at sunset, ASSUMING we would have plenty of time.

 I never set an alarm since Colby is my 6:30 wake-up call. It's the strangest thing.........when I depend on him to get me up, he decides to sleep until 8:15. I threw on clothes, fingered tossed my hair into a pony, brushed my teeth (I think) , woke-up Chase......he always wakes before 7:00 but not this morning, of course, fed the boys, loaded up, and hit the road.

We arrived at the cancer center at 9:09. The radiation only takes 10 minutes and they met her at the door with a wheel chair, so I figured the best bet was for my clan to remain buckled up in the car. I couldn't find a parking place that allowed me to have an eye on the front door. I circled back around and decided to go in and give the front desk my cell so they could call when she was done. I entered the center assuming she had already been taken back to start the treatment but she was sitting there alone.....oh no mam! I walked right back out, unloaded the boys, and plopped ourselves down right next to her oxygen tank and wheelchair.

She lit up like a kid on Christmas morning and then introduced her great-grandchildren to the staff! Everything went great.....that is until the trip home. Chase's very unusual whining the last couple of days has concerned me and he let it roll as soon as we pulled out of the parking lot. On top of that, I did the unthinkable...ran out of the house without a passy. He screamed and screamed and screamed some more!!

Mamma Jean was so upset that he was upset...she kept repeating

bless his little heart

I'm so sorry

this is my fault

I'm such a trouble

I told her to stop immediately and tried to convince her otherwise. I assured her that I didn't think Chase was feeling too well and it had nothing to do with her trip to the center. I stopped at the store and bought a passy and when I returned to the car I noticed Chase had his first little tear running down his cheek.....broke my heart!

I guess it's about time he shed a tear being as though he is 6 months old, I was beginning to think his tear ducts didn't properly function. The passy kept him content for all of 3 minutes and then the screeching hit an all time high. I called and made a doctor's appointment because he literally never cries....I knew something was up. He also has been fussy while nursing and he was up a lot last night.

I got an appointment for 4:30 and Colby was still napping at 3:30. Here we go again....I had to wake him up and rush rush rush. I was on the road once again but this time I had some good fortune bestowed upon me....dad was right behind me so we pulled over and I handed Colby off to go play with Pawpaw Mike while we went to the doctor.

Okay....on the road again

Jeez...my gas light is on

I stopped to get gas, and I dropped my gas card which somehow did a magic trick and flew under Oddy.

Now I'm on the ground, under the car, reaching for my card, and sensing my time running out of ever making it to the doctor on time!

My doctor is a good 35 minutes away and I knew I was going to be 15 minutes late. I'm OCD about being on time and I think being late is extremely rude so I called to let them know. The nurse assured me it was okay as long as I made it by 4:40....wow thanks for the extra 10 minutes. I put the petal to the metal and was making good time....that is until a blast of rain started pouring from the sky and people slowed to a creeping 10 miles per hour. I came in on two wheels at 4:43, praying they would still accept our rudeness.....everyone is ready to go home at 5:00!

I jump out and open the door to get Chase and notice he finally fell asleep (not much of that today, at least not without me holding him) but not for long..........

I'm not sure what woke him up, big raindrops piercing his face or me jerking him around while running for cover! I'm now soaking wet as I come to the front desk and the receptionist said, "you made it, come on back." They were waiting on us...how embarrassing nice of them.

The doctor greets us with a smile and gets right to the point.

Ears...perfect

Throat...perfect

Chest...perfect

Strep Test....Negative

Oh I see....his bottom gums are swollen and red

He is TEETHING.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME.......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I smile and say great, thanks, see you next Monday for his 6 month check-up.

Oh well, at least I know. I swing my little peanut onto my hip and as I approach the car, it hits me..........

Holy Moly kind kitties, I left the car seat in the doctor's office.

That's okay,  I will just go back and get it, or maybe not since the office door is locked.

I knocked on the door for 10 minutes and luckily someone came to turn the lights off in the waiting room and saw my hopeless face starring in the window.

I was thinking about how this day had been quite challenging and my phone rang. It was my wonderful hubby offering to stop by the store and pick up some infant Motrin to help Chase with the pain. I picked Colby up, went home, ate dinner, bathed the boys, and story time was just about to begin when Colby said, "where's my Binky?"

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, he's at Gammy's house!

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.....GIVE ME A BREAK!

He WILL NOT go to sleep without Binky. Gammy rushed Binky over ASAP!

We had time to waste while waiting on Binky so we engaged in Colby's favorite activity.......photo shoot!

Say cheese mommy, be still mommy

baby that's you moving....look at the screen until you see me

otay, cheese mommy, Good job mommy!!

Are you looking at the screen, Colby?

There you go buddy!!

Say Cheese...Good job Daddy, Good job Woody!

Yay...Gammy, you got Binky....tank you Gammy, say cheese!

What a perfect ending to a challenging day!!

Momma said there'd be days like this!

This song has been stuck in my head all day.....sorry if it's in yours now!

GO AHEAD........ TURN IT UP LOUD AND JAM OUT!

Ramblings of a Two Year Old

The Jones' Household was snoozing until my son climbed out of his bed, passed the bathroom, wondered into my room at midnight, leaned into my ear, and said, "mommy, I have to teetee!"

Baby, you know how to potty by yourself

Mone mone (come on) mommy, tome potty wif me peez!

You don't need mommy, your a big boy

no I not, mone mone mommy....hurry I had go potty right now

okay, lets go


I stumbled out of bed and made my way across the house and rested on the tub while keeping Colby company as he did his business.........and the rambling began

Colby, you said you had to teetee, hurry up

I not tell lie mommy, I never tell lie, I about to teetee

uh oh, my teetee stuck

try really hard

why you sleepy mommy

it's really late and I was sleeping

oh, it not late

yes, it is.... hurry up sweetie

you teetee wif me like daddy

I can't teetee standing up

you have to sit down to teetee, you a dirl, daddy boy, chase a boy, pawpaw Mike a boy, Gammy a dirl, Coach a boy....he proceeded with everyone he knows

Yes, you are right about the gender of all 100 people you just mentioned

teetee please so we can go back to bed

lets watch Chuggington one time

no way, it's midnight

I love you soooo much

I love you too but you are going back to bed

Ahhh..finally he decided to teetee (you didn't know your teetee can get stuck huh?)

See mommy I had teetee, I not lie, God say never lie, gotta tell the truf

Your right, good job

at last...I got him back in the bed but the rambling continued

I need to go to daddy's house

what? This is daddy's house

no it not

Baby, this is mommy and daddy's house

daddy's house in the backyard......oh lord he thinks the shed is daddy's house, I bet Chris will love to know that

We can't go to the shed

yea, I need to work

no sir, it's dark outside

let me see dark

I opened the blinds.....see it's late and it's dark

it not bedtime

YES, IT'S BEDTIME..NIGHT NIGHT

I know he wasn't scared of the dark because his room was lit up like the 4th of July with Mr. Twilight Turtle

He loves his turtle!! Twilight sleeps on the pillow beside him displaying the moon and stars all over the walls and ceiling. Not to mention he has two night lights and he also had his flashlight on....darkness isn't a problem in that room.

Otay...mommy take one nap wif me, Gammy takes nap wif me at her house.
Pawpaw Mike snore too loud and wake me up.

I knew this could go on for days so I dove in for a kiss and one last hug, said night night, sweet dreams, love you, stay in the bed or no Chuggington in the morning!!

Never heard another peep....I guess all the rambling wore him smooth out!

SHARE FOR GOD'S SAKE!

Your toddler just woke up from her nap, and off both of you go to get the much-needed groceries for the evening’s dinner. You have your list, your child is cooperative, and you zip through the store with organized efficiency and a smile. This trip is easy and fun. Suddenly, a store clerk taps you on the shoulder and asks for you to share your cart, right this minute… your time is up…

Two and three year-olds will be much involved with their toys. Their play is their work and important learning, like your efficient shopping was your mission. As you might be upset by the tap on the shoulder from the store clerk, so will your child when her concentration and enjoyment are disrupted by a parent’s “sharing” expectation.
by Dr. Caron Goode
Read more here
 
This scenario really helped me to be a little more understanding of why my son flips a lid when I insist on him sharing! He has become quite the toy hoarder and it makes me want to pull my hair out!!
 
last night we had some friends over for dinner, and I think Colby almost had a panic attack when his two buddies were enjoying all his toys. He literally didn't know what to do with himself.....
 
He was hiding toys behind the couch and under the train table

keeping inventory on every toy that was being played with.....he was on a power trip!!!
 
I was preparing dinner, and I heard two cries growing louder as they approached the kitchen. Colby had a red eye with a protruding brow bone, yelling "he hit me" and his buddy was repeating, "I so sorry!" I knew exactly what happened when I noticed Colby juggling 6 trains.....one under his chin, three shoved in his armpits, and two clinched to his chest as if his life depended on not dropping one!
 
We had the "we share with our friends and treat them with love" spill, and Colby released his death grip from ONE train.....well it's a start!!
 
I remained calm, but inside I was screaming.....SHARE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!
 
I signed Colby up for Mother's Morning Out in hopes that he will acquire some social interaction skills. I'm so worried that I will get a dreaded call regarding his behavior. The director assured me that most children attending MMO have never been in a childcare setting but adjust quickly.....whew, fingers crossed!
 
Colby won't be three until December but she placed him in the three year old room since he is potty trained. I think he will do much better in the older room since he is so dominant and bossy mature for his age......maybe the older kiddos will put him in his place!
 
I have really been enforcing the importance of sharing so he won't have a melt down the first day of MMO when he realizes everything doesn't belong to him.
 
We read....

 
About The Rainbow Fish


Rainbow Fish, with his beautiful sparkling silver scales, was the most beautiful fish in the ocean. Despite Rainbow Fish's beauty, he was not happy. Rainbow Fish did not have any friends because he wouldn't share his scales. Rainbow Fish gets some very good advice from a wise octopus and learns to be happy by making others happy!

We had a great discussion about sharing and treating people with love. I always remind him....Love is not rude!
 
He made his own rainbow fish.
 
Decorate a coffee filter with markers...

Sprinkle with water....

Cut out a fish shape and give him some beautiful scales using foil....

Glue onto blue paper and cover with cling wrap to give it the underwater appearance!!

When Colby doesn't won't to share, I remind him of the Rainbow fish!
 
Since we were on the topic of fish I started an Ocean Life Unit!
I found all the books I had on Ocean life...

Cute Cute Cute book!!

Review

"A little fish is brimming with energy and curiosity and his mom sends him out of their sea cave to swim until he is tired. She warns him, however, to beware of the Big Fish...With its vivid language, many rhyming and onomatopoetic words, brisk pace, and exclamatory style, the book is perfect for reading aloud.
 
Colby loves when the big fish burps him out.....imagine that! He wanted to read it so many times that he quickly learned many ocean animals and is now able to list at least 10 animals found in the ocean....at this age they are little sponges and retain information so easily!!
 
We also made an Ocean Tot Book....these are wonderful and so easy to make. Just print it out here, the work is already done for you!!
 
Colby gets extremely excited about his tot books (please ignore the Superman underwear.....my child refuses to stay clothed and it's a battle not worth fighting)!
 

It's great for practicing letters, numbers, counting, identifying ocean animals, and early reading concepts!

 

Until Next Time.....