Trick-or-Treat

Ella and Grayson were extremely fortunate to get a triple dose of Halloween this year!

Mom took the kids to the annual Downtown Trick-or-Treating on Friday while I was at school. I was a little sad to have to miss out this year due to the fact that I had exhausted all of my days, but was so happy to see that they enjoyed it! Snow White and Skeleton are enjoying time with Nana!

Later Friday night, we headed over to the Beckett's house for a fun Halloween Party. Ella had a blast and partied hard while Grayson slept most of the time.

Saturday was Trick-or-Treat for Scott County, so mom and dad came over to celebrate with us. Dad and Kermie stayed home to pass out candy like usual and mom and I took the kids around. There weren't as many "passer outters" this year, but Ella still managed to make it home with a full pumpkin bucket. She even stopped at home to pass out some candy to kids and helped her daddy campaign as she visited different houses.



This Halloween was also very special for our family for a reason not related to Halloween at all. Grayson was dedicated at church on Sunday, October 31. This is a picture after his dedication service :)

The results are in ...

My husband has officially won his first election! Yay for Kermie being elected to Sadieville's City Commission! It's time to get Sadieville on the right track and showcase its' best qualities. He's going to be a great asset to the team!

Look Who's 12 Weeks Old....

Yesterday, I turned 12 weeks old! My mommy just can't believe it's true. She took me to my two month check up yesterday (yes... at 12 weeks) because my doctor is one busy guy. I think he's a pretty terrific doctor myself. Dr. Hambrick said I looked great. I am weighing in at a little over 14 pounds and I am a little over 24 inches tall. This makes me bigger than 90% of boys my age! I'm such a big boy. Mommy and daddy are amazed at how much bigger I am than my sister Ella! She was only a mere 21.5 inches tall and 10.5 pounds at my age. I guess she won't be able to pick on me after all! :) My ear infections were all cleared up and I was able to follow the doctor's light a whole 180 degrees!

So far, I am loving my new schedule now that mommy is going back to work. I get to see my Aunt Jackie two times a week (with 2 crazy girls running around the house), my Nana two days (with lots of animals running around her house), and my Granny on Wednesdays! I am such a lucky little boy! I don't take many long naps during the day, but Dr. H said that is perfectly normal with me sleeping from 8:30 until mommy wakes me up in the morning! He said not to worry about naps during the day if I sleep at night. So... sorry to all my babysitters.... I'm going to continue going full force all day long! That just means there's going to be more time to laugh and play together!

I think I might be breaking my mommy and daddy's bank account with the rate that I'm growing out of my clothes! Mommy took me shopping again so that I didn't have to crunch into 3 month clothes or go naked! I really think mommy enjoys it though because it gives her excuses to go shopping. You're welcome mommy!

Everyone tells me I'm a really good baby since I don't cry or fuss unless I'm hungry. All I really like to do is talk to people, laugh, and watch my sister play. What they don't understand is that I'm giving them a break until I become mobile and then I don't plan on staying put! Enjoy it while it lasts because the next time I get on here I just might be scooting around the house or sitting up all by myself!

Oh, how I LOVE teaching!

So, this past week was my first week back at work! I have to admit that waking up each morning at 5:00 am was not pleasant, but being back in the classroom definitely was! My kiddos welcomed me back with a surprise party Monday afternoon which I thought was super sweet! On Friday, we had our KCCT awards assembly and invited our middle school students back who were distinguished so it was fun getting to see those kids. My class this year seems very sweet and they are incredibly smart! I can't wait to see how much we learn this year and get to know each and every one of them.

Ella and Grayson did great with the change. Ella had a few little bits where she would talk about me going back to work and not being able to stay at home with her, but I really think she was excited about getting to play with new toys! haha Kermie was off work Monday, so my first day was easy as they were all sleeping when I left. Ella woke up every other morning ready to go. She talked my ear off on the way each day! Kermie is taking them to mom's house on Fridays so that is nice too! I was defnitely gone each day when the bell rang and will continue to be in order to get in some play time each afternoon! I definitely didn't miss the whole rush to get the bag packed for the next day, baths, supper, and house cleaned while I was off, but we will survive! I feel blessed to be able to have what I have: a family to come home to and love and a job that fills my heart with joy!

Ella at her finest!

She's definitely fearless when it comes to highsits. Maybe she'll like to stunt one day. :)

I laughed until I cried at her. She was so serious and thought she counted perfectly!

Reflection

Lately, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. Reflecting on life, love, and everything in between. The past year or so has been one unlike any other. It has been a year of joys, of trials, of accomplishments, of pain, of self and spiritual revelation, and most importantly of thankfulness.


A few of the joys: The birth of Grayson. All of the precious moments with Ella (especially when she says "I Love You" out of nowhere). A 7 year anniversary. A four month "vacation" from school. Time with best friends and the birth of their babies. Returning to Grace and being able to go to church with my family. Answered prayers for family members going through hard times. The engagement of my brother and Jess. A job that I love. A relationship with my sister-in-law that I cherish. A new love for Coke and continued love for Frappucinos! A mini-vacation with Kermie and Ella. Ella's prayers every night. The "light bulb" turning on for many students.


A few of the trials: Finishing school while working and being pregnant. Dealing with major tantrums from a toddler. Being married to someone who is completely opposite of myself in many ways (but opposites attract as Paula puts it). Listening to and watching the struggles of family members. Trying to overcome my tendancy to stress and worry about monotonous things like money and schedules. My husband's sleepless nights and anxiety. Making sure that each students' needs were met before leaving my classroom. Car trouble for a few months. Prolonged, unhealthy relationship in my immediate family. A team that doesn't always see eye to eye or get along.


A few of the accomplishments: Finishing graduate school and getting a raise! Completing 7 years of marriage. Outstanding test scores even though I disagree with it whole-heartedly. Ella being potty trained (until our recent accidents), giving up her paci, and sleeping in her big girl bed. Kermie finishing his time in the military! Finishing up a ton of home improvements (thank you Kermie!).


A few of the bouts of pain: Seeing my sister make and live with bad decisions. Seeing my parents watch a child hurt. Watching my husband go through one of the hardest times in his life. Being scared for the health of both my Grandpa and Grandbubby. Listening to the various struggles of family members who were and may still be desperate for a divine miracle. Watching children day by day come to school and struggle because of the conditions of their homelives.


A few incidents of revelation: Understanding that the things I worry about are meaningless. God has and always will be here to support, love, and work miracles. Kermie and I discovered (or keep rediscovering) that we are blessed beyond measure and are due for a major downsizing in all areas of life. We are working together to get rid of things we don't need in order to reach out and give to others.


A few things to be thankful for: A godly husband who served me breakfast in bed and cleaned the kitchen last weekend! A house. A job. Maternity leave. Health care. A mode of transportation. Two healthy children. A supportive family. The Bible. Salvation. This list could go on for days! Thank you God!

Grayson at 8 weeks

Today marks Grayson's 2 month birthday, so I thought I'd post a few pictures from today and give everyone an update on how the big boy is doing.

• First and foremost, Grayson is a super happy baby! He only cries when mommy isn't fast enough with the food or his tummy hurts.
• Grayson has been a terrific sleeper from day one! I had expected the worst since Ella was also a good sleeper, but God has blessed me with two! He hasn't made it a full night yet, but goes to bed around 8 or 9 and doesn't wake up until around 2 am. He falls right back to sleep after eating and wakes up again around 6. We eat and then go right back to sleep until 9ish and then are up for the day. Life may be tough when I go back to work in a week!
• My baby loves to eat! We had started him on Similac Advance which is a milk based formula, but while at the hospital we noticed him not tolerating it very well. Before coming home we switched to Isomil and all was good! I wasn't about to go through the torment we went through with poor Ella (You can read all about it in my earlier blogs). She would throw up all the time even after breastfeeding and the doctors swore it was reflux (and maybe a little was). When we tried regular formula when I stopped pumping, she threw up so much that I thought she was going to die. I have never been so scared in all my life! So long story short, I'm by passing the tummy aches and milk intolerance and playing it safe this time around. My babies have super sensitive tummies and get it from their daddy. Any who, Grayson loves his bottle and drinks 5 ounces every 3 to 4 hours during the day.
• Grayson loves to be talked to! He will smile when you talk to him and loves hearing Ella sing to him. She usually chooses Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Rock A Bye Baby.
• I am loving all of Grayon's grins and coos. Hearing him talk is the highlight of my day!
• Grayson has found his hands and chews on them more than he sucks his paci now days. Don't get me wrong though... he LOVES his paci!
• We don't have our 2 month check up until the end of the month, but did go for an appointment last week to check on his Thrush and tummy. He weighed in at a few ounces short of 12 pounds and was 21 inches! Such a big boy! :)