Christmas with a REAL baby!

I'm one of those girls that were always baby crazy. I pretended all my baby dolls were real, and I dreamed of the day when I had a baby of my own. I always told my mom that I couldn't wait until I had a REAL baby and her response was always, " oh, yes you can...you have no idea!" I guess that is an alarming comment to hear from your 9 year old daughter. I didn't understand how the baby was created, I just knew you got married and then POOF....God gave you a baby.

I started babysitting at 13, worked in a daycare in high school, was a nanny in college, and then became an elementary teacher.....I absolutely love being around children!!!

I always pictured what kind of mother I wanted to be

teach my child to walk with Jesus Christ

be the best example I can be.....children do as they see not as their told

always have a home of love......no screaming, fighting, or spanking

lots of hugs, kisses, kind words, & attention

teach my child manners, obedience, discipline, responsibility, and generosity

There are so many more but these are the most important. I also imagined what certain events would be like and Christmas morning was at the top of the list. Last year Colby only cared about the boxes and paper but this year was everything I expected and then some! There isn't anything to describe seeing Christmas through the eyes of your child.

The way Colby would scream Tanta Claws ( Santa Clause) & Menmen (snowman) every time he saw one of them.

his enthusiasm when he talked about getting a four wheeler

him singing Happy Birthday to Colby and Jesus

him having to turn the tree on every single morning

him dancing to Rockin around the Christmas tree &

singing Christmas carols that he doesn't know one word to

him saying, WOW over and over when he saw what Santa brought him

okay, you get the point.

I'm just saying......Christmas has always been great, but when your blessed to share it with your very own REAL baby, it's amazing!

Christmas Eve with Gammy & Pawpaw Mike
Reading about the birth of Christ

Colby is a firework fanatic!

Colby got a book bag of explosives...next year he might get a set of knives LOL!

The Aycock Family

My precious family

Christmas morning

If you see the present you got Colby for his birthday and your thinking

aw man Santa had already gotten him that toy.....your mistaken.

I know it sounds bad but he got so much for his birthday and he didn't remember once we got home so we hid some and put them out Christmas morning. We can't get away with this next year so we took advantage of it this year!

Colby on his new ride

Enjoying a book and hot chocolate after a ride in the freezing cold weather

Big mama cooking a breakfast bake

We were praying and Colby spotted Pawpaw Mike with his eyes open and quickly pointed to him and said, "pray". I guess Colby thinks it's okay to open his eyes if he is checking on others. Soooo, we had to start the prayer over and he was grinning from ear to ear because he caught Paw Paw Mike.

Santa caused a lot of excitement with the four-wheeler but we managed to get loaded up and on the road to Coach & JoJo's house (only because we promised he could ride again as soon as we arrived). He stayed in his PJ's and after reading his new favorite book (Thanks Kim) he snoozed the rest of the road trip.

But once we got there he was on it again

telling Coach night night

JoJo & Coach got him a tent & tunnel that he loves. I try to get in and play with him but he pushes me out saying, "no, no mommy out!" I guess I'm not cool enough to enter his fabulous tent.

Singing Christmas carols..............I'm not sure why he doesn't attempt real words when he sings but it's pretty hilarious.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and may God fill your 2010 with many blessings!

Bye Bye Binky :(

Caution: If your child has a lovey that he is insanely attached to, this might make you cry.

Colby has had a best friend since he was about 3 months old. His name is Binky and he has been through everything with Colby. Colby has never gone to bed without him, wouldn't even hear of it. Binky has accompanied Colby on every outing/event such as; doctors appointments, dentist, hair cut, story time, road trips, play dates, etc.

If he felt bad, Binky made him better

If he was uncomfortable in a new place, Binky was his familiar friend

If he was mad, Binky made him happy

If he was cranky during a car ride, Binky made it tolerable

If he was scared to do something, Binky gave him confidence

Colby found comfort in rubbing on Binky's tag (the print was obsolete at this point) and as soon as he rubbed Binky on his face he was fast asleep!

Like I said...where Colby went Binky was sure to go!

We went to Walmart and Chris and Colby played in the toy section while I printed out some pictures. We have no idea how or when but Colby actually dropped Binky but was obviously too distracted to pick him up. We went to another store and it hit Colby like a brick wall..............where is my Binky? He started screaming, "Binky Binky Binky???"

When I saw the look on Chris's face I knew it was bad. He remembered Colby had Binky when we walked in Walmart and realized he must have dropped him somewhere along the way. I immediately called Walmart customer service and was told Binky had not been turned in.........you can imagine the panic setting in at this point. I called my mom while on the verge of tears and explained the situation. She went to Walmart and searched everywhere and asked every worker, but no luck. My stomach was in knots, and I finally sat down and cried like a baby.

Just imagine.....

Your child has something that comforts him/her in every way and it vanishes. My heart was completely broken and all I could picture in my head was him screaming all night at bedtime......after all, he has slept with Binky for 730 nights!!!

I remembered my Pediatrician telling me that loveys were excellent for children in so many ways and she advised me never to take it away, so I was scared of the emotional damage he might endure.

I ran to Chase's room and grabbed the lovey I had purchased for him. Chris told Colby that since he turned two, baby Binky had to go bye bye and now he had a Big Boy Binky (it was very convenient that he turned 2 a few days ago) . We jumped up and down clapping and tried to make a really big deal of Big Boy Binky!

I was completely astonished when it actually worked. Bedtime came and he asked for Binky (I teared up again) and Chris reminded him that he now had a Big Boy Binky and Colby said, "Binky went bye bye". I watched Colby on the monitor and he repeatedly waved to the door saying bye bye Binky and then he rubbed Big Boy Binky on his face and fell asleep.

I thanked the Lord for the amazing transition that still had me speechless. I felt relieved for Chris because he blamed himself and felt awful awful awful.

I know it sounds crazy but I feel sorry for Binky. Binky was special to us and now we have no idea where Binky sleeps at night. I hope that another child found him and loves him as much as Colby loved him for the past two years!

A few memories of Binky

Story time

First Bike ride with mommy

First Christmas

1st birthday

9 months old

Chris and I were watching videos last night and he even had Binky in his arm when he rolled over for the first time at 3 months old, sniff sniff :( .

Introducing Big Boy Binky

35 weeks

I'm 35 weeks and doing great! I went to the doctor this morning for an 1hr 1/2 just to found out that I've gained 20 lbs and my heart rate is good. I go back January 8 for my last ultrasound to see how much Chase weighs and to make sure he isn't breech. I'm pretty sure he is head-down because I just started feeling a lot of pressure and I think his feet are kicking me in the rib cage. Then I start going every week...woohoo!

I'm so blessed because I have had the most ideal pregnancy. I haven't experienced any sickness, problems, or any pains. I haven't even felt uncomfortable and I'm still able to do everything that Colby expects of me! I was ready to have Colby at this point and I was slightly uncomfortable all the time, so I think God knows how needy my child is and has given me special powers LOL! Colby would never take no for an answer, he expects me to

dance

vacuum while holding him on my hip

run around the house

lay on the floor at his command

play all day

never sit ( thank goodness for nap time)

hold up all 30 lbs of him to use the public potty because he can't reach it (how come public restrooms don't have a toddler potty? Babiesrus is the only one....ughhhhh!

and pretty much go go go go go!!!

I have to give him credit where credit is due............he has kept me in shape during this pregnancy!

Now, I just pray my labor and delivery is smooth sailing too!!

Colby's 2nd Birthday

December 19, 2007
This day two years ago was the day that God blessed Chris and I with a little miracle that changed our life forever! I can remember exactly how I felt when I looked, held, and kissed my precious boy for the first time. There isn't anything more powerful than to know that Chris & I were co-creators with God himself and created this child out of love!



December 19, 2008
This day last year we were celebrating his very 1st birthday.........it was such a special day!

I thought the first year went by fast but the second year was gone in the blink of an eye. I can't believe how much he has grown up in just one year and how independent he has become, sniff sniff :( . He woke up ready for his party this morning and kept shouting, "cake, ice cream, jump

high!" He loved Pump It Up and had such a good time with all his friends but wasn't a happy camper when other children tried to open his gifts. He started yelling mine and holding his gifts close to his chest in a death grip (whew...we need to work on sharing and somehow remove mine from his vocabulary).

He was worn out!!!!!!!