Documentation

I wanted to make sure I got these few things down. I am not getting much computer time these days, and when I do it is only to click one handed and not to type.

The other day we were playing outside. Callan was tired of his training wheels that we have taken off and put back on several times in the last few weeks. He took them off himself and we just let him go about his business. A few minutes later I hear "I think I have got the hang of it." And he comes wheeling by... without the training wheels. Yes, I do believe you have the hang of it son. I do have video of him riding, but who knows when I will get to uploading that.



Cruz is having all kinds of tummy issues. It really has been since birth, and I was beginning to think that I had lost my mommy touch. The boy is on no kind of schedule, he eats when he wants... ALL THE TIME. And, he cries... A LOT (but as I have discovered, mostly only for my benefit at home... out in public he is always the perfect prove momma wrong kind of guy). Anyway, after some strange looking diapers last week we have come to the conclusion (when I say we, I mean me and the Dr.) that he has a food allergy. For a nursing mom, that means eliminating it out of your diet. Because his tummy has been upset since birth, I had already self-diagnosed and been free of dairy products for about 7 weeks. So now I have to eliminate more stuff. For the next few weeks I am going with nuts and eggs on top of the dairy, if that does not see results, then I need to go further with soy and possibly wheat (or just throw in the towel and go with a hypo-allergenic formula). This little guy sure does want to make his mark in the family. Good thing he is so stinkin' cute.
Also, my mom had a little hosptial stint this week. As it turns out she has a heart "defect" that has been there since birth. It is called Mycardial bridge where the arteries that carry the blood (when she was being formed) took a wrong turn and pushed through the heart muscle. The pain (and abnormal EKG)she had was becuase the muscle of the heart was squeezing the artery too much. Funny how you can go your whole life not knowing something about yourself. Good thing all is well!!!

Baylor got his "mid-session" progress report this week. Seriously, he is too smart for his own good. His grades (he is in 3rd and this is the first time he has received number grades) were 3-100's, 2-99's, and 1-98. I don't think it could get any better than that!!! (That is the average of all the grades for the work he has done so far this school year) We really are impressed. I remember being in 2nd grade and my teacher telling the class that NO ONE got an A the first 6 weeks of school because no one was perfect... humph... guess she would have to give an A if all you made on your work was 100's. Can I tell you again how holding him out of Kindergarten an extra year was a great idea... I highly recommend it!

Finally, I need to add that both Eliza and Baylor had well visits this week. Baylor is still in the 93% for weight but dropped to the 65% for height at 53 1/2 inches. I think this is going to be a growing year for him. Baylor chose to get a Hep A shot for a reason that I will talk about later sometime. Eliza still weighs 25 pounds. I think she has for a year now. That puts her in the 3% for weight and at 33 3/4 inches she is in the 1.71% for height.

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of School

I tried to think of a catchy title... something all Gotham City related (because Silas refused to look decent for his first day of school and insisted he wear this) but nothing is coming to my 2 brain cells.
The kids love Mom's Day Out, and I am so glad. Last year, I used the time to get MY stuff done on Tuesday and work in the kids class on Thursday. Since the big kids school has a no sibling policy, I guess I will not be at school that much this year. So, I guess Cruz and I will have to find all kinds of fun stuff to do on our two days while the big kids and little kids are in school. (naps would be nice)

Token pic outside, and the suddenly cheese grin all 3 year olds get where they force the smile so much it looks like it hurts. Hopefully, it will go away soon... like in 2 weeks before school pics.


Eliza is all about posing these days. I guess she gets this pose from her brothers and their Power Rangers action shots.

Eliza and her sweet teacher. I know it is going to be a great year.

This is Silas... not to be outdone by his sister's pose. I am not really sure what this says though.


And his teacher Mrs. Ann-Marie. She has had all my kids and all the Jones boys thus far. That makes 7 so far with 2 Jones boys and a Jones girl left to go.

3

Three years ago today, another woman in another country gave birth to our daughter. I share this day with her and never forget what gift she gave to us. I think of her always, but especially on the day that marks our beautiful daughters entry into the world. I wish (again) that I could just write a note, add some pictures, and put in the mail all our little girl is up to these days. I know she would love to know that she has her daddy and all of her big brothers wrapped around her finger. If one tear even thinks of being shed, she is scooped up by more arms than she can count... and that alone is making her one rotten stinker.

Eliza is more hip holding, arm crossing, giggling, foot stomping, sassiness then I ever dreamed a little girl could be. She is a force to be reckoned with in this house and will quickly let you know she is in charge. She runs to her brothers for protection and is the best big sis to HER "Truze". She lays in bed like a princess at night as each of her brothers file in to kiss her goodnight... all on their own. But, if they even think about forgetting she makes sure she yells "COME KISS ME" or will lay there sobbing until they come.

She does not stand a chance, and neither do we. We love this precious princess and praise God for her.

Eliza got a scooter for her birthday so she would not have to share her brothers Spiderman one.

It was Callan's idea to each have their picture made with her.



Notice the 3 fingers.

We had grandparents over for dinner last night. Nommie and Gandie supplied Eliza with a big addition to her fall wardrobe with some much needed dresses and shoes. Gran and Papa brought this. I showed Papa that I really liked the dollhouse shelf in PB... and HE MADE IT!

Our BIG cupcake!

And on her birthday this morning, in her birthday "party" dress.

THIS FACE

What is there to say? I guess it gets her what she wants because she sure knows how to use it. This is Eliza wanting a snack out of the pantry... but instead of asking she just stands in the doorway (for 15 minutes) of the pantry and does this. I guess if she looks pitiful enough she figures someone will ask what she is doing. I have been being a tough mommy though. I have been making her talk and try to enunciate things. If she wants it, she has to ask for it and we practice the things she cannot say correctly or mumbles. I am really beginning to worry about her speech, but I have a "call" into some people and we are getting to the bottom of it soon hopefully. Otherwise she may grow up a closed mouth talker =).

80th Birthday Celebration

Sunday morning we drove to Gallatin. We spent the day celebrating my "Muber's" 80th birthday. The day started with going to worship service at the church I grew up in. It was nice seeing some of the faces I have always known, but it just feels weird to me to be back there. I suddenly feel 15 again.

My mom has worked hard for months preparing to have family and friends come celebrate with us. It is always amazing to see what my mom can do with her car port (that my dad built for my wedding reception and rebuilt after a tornado tore it down).


I am truly blessed to have known my grandparents all my life and to be able to continue to know them in adulthood. She has always been there for our family and for her grandkids. We spent many weekends growing up hanging out at the cabin and enjoying each other. She always found the "goodest junk" for our Easter baskets and random treats, and still spoils her great- grandkids the same way. It is so neat to share 4 generations worth of family and to know you are loved.

Our little drainage ditch

We have a "creek" running through our back yard. It is considered a "blue line stream" by the state and is protected. It is the actual dividing line between Spring Hill and Thompsons Station for our parts. Really, it is all kinds of nasty. The water is stagnant and grows nice algae. During the summer the grass and weeds grow up around it (it is not our responsibility to mow it is considered on our back door neighbors property).When it rains heavily, it runs up in the yards... creating all kinds of craziness. Lately, we have been seeing some new boys in the neighborhood playing in it. We have not paid much attention, but on Friday when our boys got home from school they went to check out what was going on. What they found was a young man's jackpot!!! They played for several hours and were back down there first thing Saturday morning. What did they find???


We knew they were there because we have the little holes in the yard closer to the water, but we had no idea that they could survive and thrive in the cest pond.


Bay and Callan caught about 15, plus a tadpole, plus a small dying minnow. Callan tried to hold a crawdad, but got a little freaked out by him clicking his pinchers and opted for the almost dead minnow (Baylor would not let him hold the tadpole).