More July Fun

Reid is getting pickier and pickier (is that possible??) about what he eats.  We have tried different utensils, including buying a Cars fork and spoon.  I have tried cooking things different ways, including searching for deceptively delicious recipes that hide fruits and/or veggies like the zucchini tots recipe I just made from Pinterest (they sucked).  We have tried different bowls, seats, I could go on and on...  But this kid is just a picky (and getting pickier) eater.  Most "meals," he eats like a bird.  Ask him what he wants to eat, and he will only mention two things...cookies or candies.  Ha.

 We have lucked out with some rain showers recently.  Some of them have been pretty severe, like the one this past week that blew down half of the fences and some trees in our neighborhood.  Others have just been a nice, steady rain.  Sure fire way to bring rain?  Get your car washed.  But the day I did that, the storm did have a gorgeous rainbow, the first I've seen since we've lived in Dallas.

My sister and her boys came to visit last week and we all had lots of fun.  I was bummed to miss a half day with them thanks to the first staff development of the summer (boo!!) and some tummy issues.  But we all had fun.  Ben loved brushing the cats and playing with them, especially Samson who is used to be abused by Reid.

Reid does love to give the cats treats.  This isn't the best filmed video since I was trying to get out treats and film, but you get the picture.

 Reid wanted to sit with the boys again at their table.  He didn't really eat, but sure enjoyed sitting with them!

 We packed in lots of fun...playing in the yard, going to pools, parks, and the safari park, and picnics in the backyard.  I forgot to bring my camera on most of the outings, but at home we had to have some "cheese" time, of course! 

 Everyone do a sad face...

 And now a happy face!

Reid has also been really, really pushing it lately.  He is in time out two or three times a day some days (like below), then not at all other days.  Sometimes he enjoys doing things all by himself, then the next day he wants you to do it for him.  Too bad we can't see into the minds of toddlers...

July Fun

July has been jam packed with playdates, summer fun, running errands...I honestly have no idea where the time has gone!  I have loved being at home with my little guy.  He still wasn't quite old enough to stay up and enjoy fireworks on the Fourth this year, but we did enjoy the Nathan's hot dog eating championship, a (hot) day in the backyard where Reid played in his new sandbox and pool, and of course grilling.  He didn't care for the popsicles or ice cream he was offered, but did have lots of fun drinking the pool water (clean, thankfully!) out of various toys.

 He finally loves taking baths.  His new favorite thing in the tub is to "wash" his car or truck he's dragged in.  The real car wash has become quite a treat and he asks for that and "tots" (Sonic is right next door) every time we drive past.  Love the white hiney, too.  This boy tans so well...you'd never know he wears spf 100 all the time!

 Pretty sure this kiddo isn't ready for full on potty training, but I'm prepared.  He loves to watch his new "Elmo's Potty Time" dvd (or "dd," as he calls them) and took the best seat in the house.  He has gone a few times on the big potty.  I ordered a special toilet seat that has an attachment for a tiny bottom that magnetically stays up except when you're using it.  It's great and stays out of the way, unlike all the other attachments, most of which don't even fit elongated lids.

One of the girls in our playgroup found the neatest kids' kiddie pool/waterpark in Plano.  It has water slides, wheels that turn water on/off, sprayers, bubblers, and a great shaded picnic area.  All the water in the pool only comes up to your calves, so he doesn't even have to wear his puddle jumper because he can just stand right up.  

 His favorite thing was this slide, which he did over and over and over again.  We had so much fun that we went back the next day, a Saturday, with Daddy.

 Other big news...Reid has graduated to his toddler bed!  We'd been apprehensive in deciding when to do this, but it really wasn't a big change after all.  So far, he has stayed in the bed until we come to get him.  And then he wants to go under the "bridge" we make out of the crib bumper so he can get out.  I know one of these days, though, he'll give me a heart attack and be wandering around all on his own, so we are very careful to keep the gate at the top of the stairs closed at night and nap times.

I am really glad we didn't pay to join The Little Gym this summer like everyone else in the playgroup.  We went to a birthday party there and Reid pretty much did his own thing, didn't sit down to listen or sing, but finally did join in on the bouncing at one point.  I went home exhausted from chasing him around and picking him up. 

Another great thing about our playgroup is that we have MNO (Mom's Night Out) about once a month.  This is only part of the group since not everyone could make it that night, but you get the idea.  This was our feather earring night, if you notice ;)  We usually go out to dinner and just chat, but this particular night we did dinner and a movie.  It's great because it's girl time, plus we talk about our kids and get advice, and we're all teachers, too, so of course that's a hot topic of conversation as well.  Fun times!

Infertility, Round Two

I normally just blog about Reid since he is the most interesting person in the family (sorry, Jason ;) and we adults don't change or grow as much as our little guy.  But sometimes, I just need to vent...it's kind of like an online diary of sorts.  

I was hoping it wouldn't rear its ugly head again, but I have to face the facts and admit that we are in the category of "infertile."  You are assigned that oh-so-lovely label when you have "actively been trying to conceive for a year."  (And I think it's even less time than that when you're my age, lol!)  This go 'round, it has now been 19 months.  Since it took three years before being blessed with conceiving Reid, we didn't waste any time this go around and started "seeing what happens" when Reid was six months old.  At first, it was absolutely fine...after all, since he hasn't been the easiest, most laid back child ever, it was probably a good thing to not have siblings 16 or so months apart ;)  But as the months continue to tick by, I am not getting any younger. So we went from having primary infertility to primary and secondary infertility...hey, when you're gonna do something, do it right! (yes, sarcasm...and also the reason Jason and I snickered at the "in sickness and in health" part of our vows because I've always leaned toward the former, from allergy shots for 12 years, to migraines, to weird knee and ankle injuries, etc.)

It breaks my heart to think that Reid may be an only child, especially when I think of how much fun Laura and I had growing up (and still do!) and hear hilarious stories from Jason and Steven's childhood and beyond.  There is just something about that bond between siblings...it's special and is like nothing else on Earth.  Now don't get me wrong.  I am so grateful for Reid that words truly fail me when I try to explain.  And if his being an only child is God's plan for us, then I know He will be faithful and change my heart somewhere along the way (hopefully sooner rather than later!).  But I truly feel like our little family isn't quite complete just yet.  Some days, I just wish God would write it across the sky, or send me an email letting me know that yes, it will or will not happen someday.  But that wouldn't require me to have faith, would it?  God wouldn't be God if we understood everything He does or puts in our lives.  I always think of Isaiah 55: 8 & 9, " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.' " I always thought I was pretty patient, but this is yet another time God is saying, "Wait.  Wait on me."  And every time He's done that, things turn out waaaaaay better than if I had been given exactly what I thought I wanted when I thought I wanted it.

So at my annual physical last year, I mentioned to my obgyn that we were trying again and he immediately said, "Do you need a little Clomid?"  If you're not familiar with the drug, Clomid is the most prescribed fertility drug that millions of women take to induce ovulation.  As a fun bonus, it has numerous possible side effects (most of which I will spare you), one being a 10% chance of conceiving multiples (as in, more than one baby).  I don't think this ol' body can handle carrying twins, plus the Clomid didn't do much during the 5 or 6 rounds of it I tried before we conceived Reid.  And no, I don't want to spend tens of thousands of dollars to be a human pincushion doing IUIs or IVF.  No guarantees there, either.  I have no qualms if someone else wants to do those, but I just don't feel like they are for us.  It means many more doctor appointments (translated, time away from family), it's expensive (and that money could be going to Reid's college fund, etc.), and it takes a toll on my body both mentally and physically.  Acupuncture is also expensive and time consuming, so it's out.  Neither of us feels led toward adoption (nor could we afford it, anyway) because we want a biological sibling for Reid.  And selfishly, I want to feel pregnancy again.  Don't get me wrong...it was no joyride, but it was miraculous!  To read a little entry each day or week about what is forming in your unborn child's body just reiterates how amazing it is when God "didst weave [them] together in [their] mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13).  And I swear that I semi-knew some of Reid's personality with all the thrashing around in there ;) 

So where exactly does that leave us?  I'm open to trying alternative remedies that aren't all consuming or harmful (e.g. Chinese tea, reflexology).  I did drink the Chinese tea I'd gotten in Singapore at the beginning of the month we conceived Reid.  It was one of the grossest things ever...you take these barks, roots, stems, and boil them from five cups of water down to one, then drink it.  Nastiest stuff I have ever put into my mouth. I would liken it to drinking dirt, and that's pretty much what it tasted like, too.  Since I can't just hop a plane back over there, I ordered Fertilitea and drank it twice a day that the first half of this month.  And as a bonus, it was much easier to drink even though I'm not a tea or coffee drinker.  It did all kinds of quirky things to my body, which I'm hoping is a good sign.  BUT ultimately, no matter what I do to "help" on the earthly end, we know Who is in charge here.  God is "intimately acquainted with all my ways.  Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, oh Lord, You know it all." (also from Psalm 139, vs. 3 & 4)  How wonderful it feels to know that I'm not doing this alone and that my Heavenly Father knows best. 

So if I could ask one thing of you, if you've stuck around long enough to read this entry, please pray.  Pray that His will is done and that we embrace it.  Pray for our patience as we endure this trial.  Pray that it brings Jason, Reid, and I closer as a family...because often times it does the opposite.  Pray that it, once again, draws us closer to Him.  Pray that it is truly in His time.

"...But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing." (Psalm 34:10b)

Summer Fun

This summer is absolutely flying by.  I am not quite sure where June went, but we have tons of fun memories made and are looking forward to many more in July!  Reid seems to be loving the time home as much as I am.  Don't get me wrong...he (we!) miss seeing Miss Holli, who has been on vacation, and I'm sure he misses playing with kids each day, plus we have our share of time out and have had a few spankings, like when he RAN into the parking lot at Kroger yesterday.  But I absolutely love my little playmate and am thankful for the time I'm having with him.  It also gives me way more opportunities for photos and fun.  Here's what I call his "Edward Scissorhands" (think 90's movie).  He gets them each time we are about to start the movie, Cars.  It's a little weird and frightening that he does this every time, but funny to watch.

Of course, there's been playground fun to be had.  Unfortunately, it's been sooo hot that we don't get outside as much as we'd like to, but we'll take what we can get.

And some days, it's just in the backyard.  We went to the pool on Sunday, and wouldn't you know...it rained!  If that's all it takes to get rain around here, maybe we should go more often!  It had been a long while since our last rain and since it was so warm, we just let Reid run around in it.  He had a blast!

The rain made the next morning nice and cool (well, if you can call 88 cool...but we took advantage of it!), so he had plenty of time to play in his new sandbox.

And of course, we've enjoyed many playdates. I often forget to take pictures, either because I'm chasing Reid around, or because we're just having too much fun. This morning, we played with Hailey.  She and Reid had lots of fun, and so did Stacey and I.  She teaches across the hall from me at school, and it was so nice to just chat about our kids instead of school!

On Friday, we had a playdate with Violet, the Art teacher (Lacy)'s daughter.  I am so sad to think that Reid and Violet won't see each other every day since she's going to preschool next year.  But we are determined to have lots of playdates so they'll still be buddies.

We met at this neat splash park, but what did they want to do?  Run around on the hot cement, then eat snacks in the shade.  Worked for us mommies!  Reid, of course, did not want the Goldfish we brought...he wanted Lacy's peanut butter crackers.  Funny...we have the same exact ones at home and he is never interested in them here!

Jason and I also enjoyed a night out last week.  The photo is a little skewed because I uploaded it to Facebook, then the blog, but you get the idea.  We enjoyed an adult meal at Cavalli's, a wood-burning upscale pizza place, then headed over to the little wine bar, Zin Zen, for some live music.  It was fun and I am thankful we were able to have a date night out since we normally just have them at home.  My hubby ages well, doesn't he?  More handsome each day :)

Happy Father's Day

 In true Stacey fashion, I just THOUGHT I published this one (but apparently did not), so it's a few days late...  But happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there.  Jason and I don't really trade gifts anymore (unless there's something in particular one of us wants) since we don't see the point in spending money just because it's a day where people are expected to give gifts.  But I saw the most adorable photography ad and wanted to recreate it so he could have an updated picture of Reid at his office.  Needless to say, I needed an adult accomplice to help me.  The small subject was not too keen on the idea...

But he loves clomping around in Daddy's shoes, so warmed up to the idea a little...

 

And I finally got the shot I was hoping for!  Don't tell Jason, but Reid is actually crying, not laughing...which makes it even funnier to me.  

I am so thankful that God picked the perfect man for me!  He is the best husband and father I could hope for, and I love seeing him love our son each day.  I can already see bits of Jason in Reid, and I look forward to watching them enjoying guy stuff together...a game of catch, eating jellyfish strips together at our favorite sushi restaurant, watching football, etc.

Reidisms at Age 2

I SO wish I could take a trip into the mind of a two year old for a day.  Specifically, my own kid's mind.  Reid keeps me on my toes almost constantly, and thankfully the laughs typically outweigh the tears.  This little guy, who is always busy, grows by leaps and bounds each day.  He loves to read (a kindergarten teacher's dream!) and surprised me last week...he can already independently identify 9 or 10 capital letters.  Yes, that is more than some of my kindergarteners know at the beginning of the year, sadly.  I haven't assessed lower case letters yet, but hopefully they're not be too far behind because he loves Chicka Chicka Boom.  He also loves tv, much to my chagrin.  It comes in handy sometimes, like yesterday when I was making shrimp summer rolls (labor intensive dinner, both hands messy) and he begged to watch Cars.  But if it were up to him, there would be days where if he chose the activities, he'd watched Cars back to back 9 times!  Um no. So I try to occupy him with other activities.  Other times, he creates his own...like riding toys that are way too small to be ridden by a 28 pound kid.

Or picking out his own shoes for the pool (Boots in 104 degree weather?  Really?)

Or lining up his diggers in a different spot each day, sometimes parallel parked...other times in a row (usually neater than this, but one of us probably brushed up against the table).  They used to be intermixed with the cars, but now they are NOT allowed to cohabit the same area.  He also makes them beep as he backs them up.  Actually, he makes himself beep when he backs up!  A month ago we were in the Target parking lot and a car put its reverse lights on.  I told him, "Watch out.  That car is backing up." He promptly turned around, began walking backward, and saying, "Beep, beep, beep, beep!"

Think he needed a haircut this month?  Haircuts have finally gotten better.  Instead of screaming and crying nonstop, he actually walked up to the red Jeep and said, "Jeep!"  I'm not saying he waited patiently through the cut, but it was better.  There is hope!

Reid can make two word sentences (or on occasion, three), so we are trying to stretch out the speech to describe more things.  Some of his words are hilarious.  I've begun to stop writing down all the new words he says each day because there are so many, but here are some of the best funny ones, translated:

"nonni" = lemonade
"ahmeen" = Batman
"uhyoo" = love you
"emmo" = elbow, elephant, Elmo, sometimes yellow
"i.d." = ready
"mote" = remote
"note" = no

Other favorite activities include chasing Samson around and pulling his tail, especially this week.  I got a great video of it, but it was too long to post on the blog.  Once Samson got away, Reid ran after him all over the first floor of the house.  It was great fun for Reid and very entertaining for us.  For Samson, not so much...

 His goofy "crooked" grin...  He also makes a silly, scrunched up face and squinty eyes, but I have yet to get a picture of that one.  This ball pit was a great $10 garage sale gem.  He has loved it!

This little guy is a crazy nutball most days, but it has been a delight to raise him for the past two years.  We thank the Lord for bringing him into our lives and can't wait to see how he continues to grow!

Reid's 2nd Birthday Party

Reid still didn't really understand what his birthday was this year, although he suddenly LOVES cake, maybe even more than cookies...  He has sure enjoyed the toys, though!!  Uncle Steven, Taunt, and the boys got him a Reid-sized digger, which he was impossible to get off of for several days.  Note the upside down Cars sunglasses I decided to get him in order for him to not grab my sunglasses off of my face repeatedly ;)

Laura and the boys came in the day before Reid's party, so of course we enjoyed a little pool and splashpad time for two days in a row.  Reid was still not a big fan of water getting in his face and would run back to me saying, "Eyes!  Eyes!"  But he had a blast despite that.  I didn't think to take my camera the second day, but after seeing that his two cousins didn't care if water got in their eyes, he changed his mind and was happy to be dunked, much to my surprise.  A little peer pressure can make you do way more than Mommy can!  He also loved the big floating turtles and jumped off of them repeatedly--fearless boy!  (Scares me, so Jason and I went on Saturday to buy him yet another flotation device...but the puddle jumper actually works and keeps his head above water, so third time must be the charm.)

Back at the house, we set up some things for the next day.  Who knew that blowing up a little pool could be so much fun, even without the water?

 

Following in tradition of last summer, we had to get our annual "boys in the tub" picture.  It was impossible to get them all looking at the same time, or if we did then my little exhibitionist gave us a full frontal.  So this is the best G-rated one I could post!
 

I am not a big party person and our family growing up never did things up all fancy, so my playgroup has put me to shame a bit.  People in Dallas go all out for their kid's parties, so I went a little fancier than anticipated.  Definitely won't do this every year, and it stressed me out that morning until everything was done, but it turned out very cute!  Naturally, since Reid is obsessed with "diggers," it was easy to choose the theme.  I was surprised by how many construction items for kid parties there are out there!  The snack table:

I awoke to a big thunderstorm that morning, so I wasn't sure that we'd be able to go outside at all.  Of course, that's where all the fun things were set up...mini pool, sprinklers, sidewalk chalk, picnic table, etc.  So I got up at 6:15am and began to transform the inside of the house, too!

Luckily, the storm just made the yard a little squishy and humid, but the temperature was amazingly mild for June in North Texas.  It was perfect! 

Our fabulous sitter, Holli, also owns Chickadee's Sweet Treats, her own little in home bakery.  She makes beautiful, delicious cakes so naturally I wanted her to make Reid's.  It turned out even more adorable than I had imagined!!  Plus, it was a scrumptious cookies and cream flavor, which she served complete with crushed up Oreo "dirt." 

Everyone played inside and outside, plus the carpet wasn't even totaled.  Success!  Reid was so excited about the little pool that before I could get there or tell him "no," he'd already hopped in and was soaked.  That was outfit #1.  We went through two more, with the same thing happening with each. 

And then it was time to enjoy the cake!  I'm not sure if the kids or adults were more excited.  The construction cone candles I found didn't really stay lit with the outdoor fans on, but Reid doesn't really know how to blow them out anyways.

He refused to feed himself the cake (but promptly wolfed down every bite I offered him!), maybe because he was so excited to see the new diggers we'd dropped off at Holli's so she could incorporate them into the cake.

Someone else loved the cake, too!  Alex had an even better mustache going, but licked half of it off before I could snap a good pic.

And Ben enjoyed a turn on the big digger.  With his long legs up near his head, it was pretty funny!  He toned it down a bit for the photo.

 Even Dixie enjoyed the party favors, jumping in the basket to sit on the crinkly containers of the ones we had left.  

All in all, I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  Happy 2nd birthday, Reid!  I can't wait to see how you grow in this next year (and hope those "terrible twos" stories you hear don't come into fruition!).  I love you!