Archive for September, 2005

James does not like getting in trouble, but that doesn't stop him from doing bad things! The other day he hit Seth (the boy my mom keeps) with the fly-swatter. I jumped up from where I was sitting and hurried over to him. His eyes got big as he backed away, and he started waving to me and saying quickly, "Hi, Mama, hi, Mama! I'm glad to see you!" I didn't quite manage to keep a straight face, but I regained my composure in a few seconds and got onto him. Sometimes he gets mad when I tell him to stop doing something, and he says, "No! I not stop it this time!" At least I have him trained so that when I ask, "Do you want a spanking?" he now says, "No, Ma'am." He's quite a handful!

We went to the doctor Tuesday for the kids' checkups. They both got a clean bill of health. Eliza now weighs 10 pounds, 7 ounces and is 23 inches long! James weighs a whopping 30 1/2 pounds. Eliza did not like her shots, but she did well for the rest of the checkup. The doctor was very impressed with James—he was very cooperative and talked to her the whole time. They grow up so fast!

James is getting very good at putting his feelings into words. I was dropping him off at the nursery yesterday for my Bible study, and I went in with him to give the workers his bag. I turned to leave but couldn't get out because a parent was standing in the doorway. James saw his opportunity and grabbed my hand, saying, "Stay with me, Mama." He didn't cry and didn't resist staying there, he just wanted me to stay, too. Later that day, I took him and Eliza for a walk around the block in the wagon. I put Eliza's carseat crossways on one seat, and James sat in the other. We were almost all the way around when James got out to walk, and we saw a lady walking her dachshund. She let the dog come up to James and said, "Do you want to pet my dog?" James petted the dog and the lady was really surprised when he said, "I love your dog." James will come up to me sometimes and give me a hug and say, "I love you, Mama." He also sometimes tells me "I'm sad at you!" when he doesn't get his way. He has called me his best friend, but I overheard him saying that to one of my Mammy's dogs, too. Maybe he really loves dogs.

Oh, yeah, and did you know the moon has lights in it?

Jay has gone to Tampa, FL this week for a training class for work, so I am on my own with the kids! We are managing so far, with no major problems. Probably the hardest thing I've done is take the kids to church Sunday—James was cranky and so I had to carry him, as well as Eliza in her carseat, their diaper bags, my keys, and my Bible across the parking lot and into the building. My arm is still sore. Eliza has gained a lot of weight! We'll find out how much at her doctor appointment next week. She also starts shots-yuck!

Some friends from church came over to play this afternoon. Haley's husband is also out of town this week, so she brought some sandwiches and her kids Anna Kate (2 1/2) and Jack (almost 1), and we had a great time. We might make it to the end of the week without Daddy, but we do miss him!

Eliza's beautiful smile

James on glider

James and loot

Lauren's new swing

James turned two on Saturday, and we had a little party for him with my family and some friends from church. We had pizza, cake, ice cream, and presents—what more could you want? We had a good time and James thoroughly enjoyed the whole affair. The presents included a glider for his swingset from Mammaw, and a ridiculously huge "Monster Basketball Game" (with a 20" diameter blow-up ball and 6 foot tall goal) from Mammy and Pappy.

Speaking of presents, I received my own swingset for our 5th wedding anniversary. Jay bought the pretty porch swing and built a stand for it to go in the front yard. We have already started to enjoy it, especially in the evenings just after the sun goes down.

Eliza is growing so fast! It's easy to forget how tiny she was coming home from the hospital. She is quite a character, cooing and laughing and looking at us with wide-eyed amusement. It's so exciting to see her personality developing! What an amazing responsibility we have been entrusted with—taking care of these two little treasures, teaching them and guiding them, trying to make sure they have all they need to make it in this crazy world.

Well, I have been reminded just how very blessed we are. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Katrina. All of our family and friends in that area that we have heard from seemed to have escaped without major damage, although most of them are still without power. It is amazing how much we take for granted! But it is also amazing how God continues to bless us.

Both James and Eliza are fighting off small colds at the moment, but they are doing well despite having the sniffles. James's birthday is tomorrow, and I'm afraid the terrible twos have already started. He's a good boy most of the time but he can throw a tantrum! Eliza has the cutest smile—it melts my heart everytime. But don't be fooled, she also has her fussy periods, and that can be a little wearying. But we are all doing great, and it really is hard to imagine what people are going through not very far away.