Better...SOOOO much better!

First, I would like to publicly apologize to all of you that had boys before me if I laughed at you when you told me your son was going crazy around the house. I did not understand this situation. Many, many days, Jen has come over because Drew is going bananas inside and they couldn't go outside due to weather. I was like, what? He won't just watch a movie? My Kennedy, my precious daughter, will entertain herself for hours. She LOVES to be at home. She said today, "Mommy, I love when we are home." All this to say, Whit woke up today 90 to nothing. He was wide open all day. I was given instructions to keep him calm and resting for 3 days. Right, right, I'll work on that. He feels SOOOO much better, but by noon I was going crazy. He was bouncing off the walls! He would run up to Kennedy, grab what she loved most, and run away with it laughing! We're glad you're back Whitty Whit. It was good to see you again. Soon, we will be out of the house and you can RUN like crazy! Boys.....they are SO different than girls! I am glad I have one of each! I think 2 of either one would be CRAZY! ;)

Survival :)

We got up around 4:30 AM today and were out the door in the 30 degree weather to take our sweet baby to Savannah for surgery. It is hands down my hardest moment as a parent. I am good about helping with shots and things like that with my kids when I know it is for the best. I know it will be over fast and I can love on them. This was so different. I had to willingly give my child over to a room full of people knowing they would be causing him pain. WOW. I do love our ENT and he was wonderful with Whit. The ENT surgical center is not in a hospital which was nice because we got to be in the back a lot. I got to go back to the operating room and hold him while they put him to sleep. I NEVER want to see that again. Watching my baby go limp in my arms.....I think I was filled with some super human power because not a tear fell from my eyes. If you know me at all you know I am a cryer. I needed to be strong for my baby and God gave me that strength today. I totally would have lost it. But instead, I held him, kissed his sweet face, prayed over him one more time and the room full of hands that were on him and had to walk away. Pause here because this was big for me. It was a quick surgery and the next thing I knew the doctor was talking with us and he was fine! He still had fluid in each ear (one had really thick fluid) and his adenoids were really swollen. We even got to see a piece of it. Interesting....:) This made me feel better about our decision. I know it was a good one. Then we go back to my baby, being rocking in a nurses arms. He immediately reached for me and settled down a little when I talked to him. They said, "You have a feisty little one. He is strong willed! He told us when he didn't like something!" Yes, yes, he is. He spent the next hour in recovery yelling NO and Uh Uh at each nurse that came by. I left covered in throw up ( the sign of a good mom) with a tired baby. He slept all the way home and is currently fast asleep again. He is pitiful today. I have just held him and loved on him as much as I can. Today was a hard day. It wasn't one of those joyful mommy days, but it was a day I am again thankful. I'm thankful for such a group of wonderful friends and family that have prayed and prayed for my baby. I'm thankful for a wonderful doctor and staff that took such good care of my baby. I'm thankful for a successful surgery. I look forward to a happy and healthy baby from all of this.

Aaaahhhhh......we all survived. :)

My Miracle at 3!

Birthdays got a new meaning when I became a mom. I thought they were all about me. It was in fact, my birthday. Now I see that they are about the day you were born, but it means so much more to the one that had you. It is the day I first held my baby in my arms. It is the day I first saw her face. I'll never in my life forget that moment. It is the day I was changed forever. This little girl, once just a hope and a prayer, is now 3. 3!!!!!!!! Life is flying and I know all too soon she will be running out my door and driving away. I hold onto sweet moments. I hold onto her a lot. I try my hardest to soak it all in because I love this. I was made to be a mom. I can see that in her already. She knows the role. She'll be a great one, too. She mothers everything she has, even Riley, that poor dog!

Kennedy,

I am honored to be your mommy. I am proud of everything you do. You have such a gentle spirit, yet at times it becomes a feisty spirit. You are giving and loving to those that mean so much to you. You truly know how to love. Your sweet little friends are your heart. You love your family so much. You truly appreciate togetherness and I love that about you. When we sit down as a family you announce how happy you are that we are all together. You love to tell stories and talk and talk and talk and talk...get my point? I love to hear everything you say. You have even started to discipline me. I said stupid the other day and you gave me a very long speech about how that was a bad choice. You are a good listener my dear. :) If I could pick any child in the entire world to be my daughter, I would choose you. You've made me a better person. You've made me appreciate the small things in life. You've shown me how a prayer can become reality and how God's love is SO great! All in 3 short years....3 quick years...you've changed me forever. I love you, my daughter. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy

Braving Santa

Now, this is a BIG deal. Her first Christmas she sat in his lap. She stared at him with a very mean face, but she sat there. Last year, she refused. She shook when we talked about it. So, I had a sweet picture of my 5 month old with Santa and no big sis anywhere to be seen. :) Then this year, she wanted to be brave. She said she wanted to. She was serious about it. We were in Savannah and stopped by Bass Pro to see their Santa (totally free with a picture..fyi)

Waiting in line...

SUCCESS!!! Who would have known?
I'm proud of you Kennedy!

Christmas Eve

We always go to the Christmas Eve service at church then head to MeMa's. It is tradition. I love a tradition. My grandmother was very serious about having EVERYONE at her house on Christmas day. I loved when it was full of everyone. I remember the days of getting to sit at the big table...finally! I was the one who was sad about everyone growing up and getting married and having to rotate holidays. I liked the traditions of Christmas. Greg's family always celebrates at Mema's for Christmas Eve. They made a big deal when I joined the fun. It really is a fun tradition. We even announced we were having Whit 2 years ago at this fun night. It is full of memories and traditions for me now, too. I like that. :)

The two of us....we rarely get to smile at a camera alone. Hard to believe 3 years ago it was just us!

And now.....I am blessed beyond words

With Nette

And my oh so fabulous sis-in-law....:) LOVE her!

A Very Merry Christmas!

I can now officially say that I think this was by far my favorite Christmas ever. My children are old enough to enjoy it and that makes it even more magical. We hosted Christmas dinner at our house so for the first time in at least 7 years we got to stay home. My kids got to stay in their jammies until 11:00 and just play. They got to have both sets of grandparents with them on Christmas day and it was special to me. We were all sitting down to lunch and Kennedy says, "We're all together!" She gets it. I love her for that. So, thanks, to all my family for breaking tradition and making this year so sweet for us. Even Kennedy appreciated it. Here are some pics from Christmas morning.

K and her Bitty Baby. She named her Little Bitty...original,huh?

Boy toys! Yay!!!

Helping Kennedy with her baby stuff.

Checking out her Santa stuff

So happy!

Playing!!!!!!!

Kennedy and Whit: You are the greatest gifts I have ever received. This Christmas it was truly a gift to see my precious miracles enjoy and celebrate the season. I hope you learn that this day has so much meaning to us. I hope you see through my words how much I am thankful to the God who blessed me with you two. You are precious and perfect. You bring laughter and joy to our home. You two make me a better person and have also shown me that God's power is greater than anything I could have ever done. This Christmas I am more thankful than ever. I love you both dearly, my precious babies. Merry Christmas!

Who knew?

Does that feeling ever fade? You know, the one that you get when you do something for your child and their eyes light up with excitement. I can't truly describe the feeling but it is one of my most favorite parts about being a mom. When she was a baby, it was the way she looked at me. It was the first time she said my name or the first time she held those sweet baby arms up for me. It melts you to pieces. Yesterday, when she woke up from her nap, she woke up to a house busily getting ready for her party. She walked into Whit's room where she could see the giant princess bouncy house going up in the yard. I don't remember all the words she used, but I'll never in my life forget the excitement in her voice. I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. She turned to me and hugged me so tight and said, "Thank you, Mommy!" I am thankful for those moments. My little almost 3 year old, old enough to explode with joy, knows to say thank you and truly means it. I am proud of you, my Kennedy. I hope you can look back and see how much we love you. At 3, you have so much heart. You care so much about the ones you love. What a precious, precious, little girl you are. You chose the perfect theme for that party of yours....our little princess.....just perfect!!!!!!!!!

Almost 3!

Kennedy's big 3rd birthday party is tomorrow. I spent the day cleaning the house and getting everything ready. Nobody tells you how much you have to do to throw a "small" birthday party. Tomorrow my home will be filled with the ones that mean so much to Kennedy and I love that. I love what a birthday means for the Mommy. I know it is about her, but for me it is a celebration of life. It is a celebration of a dream come true for me. She's all I ever dreamed of and more. I cannot believe it has been 3 years.

I hope your princess party truly makes you the princess that you are. You are our very own royalty, Kennedy Susan. You have chosen pink and purple to celebrate with. Tonight you told me your dress was not purple enough. So, sorry for that! :) I can't wait to see the smile on your face and hear the stories that you tell. I look forward to hearing that sweet Happy Birthday song again. It makes this Mommy's heart happy.

I can't believe she's almost 3......

17 months!

When Kennedy was 17 months I was about 36 weeks pregnant waiting on Whit to get here. Really.....now that I look back I honestly do not know how I did that!!! My life right now is SO busy. It is a crazy busy at times, but I wouldn't change it for the world. We are quickly approaching a year and a half. WOW....time flies. These two like to fight a lot lately but they also have a lot of love for each other. I am thankful to have them this close in age. It is so sweet to see them take care of each other.

To describe Whit I thought I would give an example of an everyday occurrence. I title this, "NO WHIT!"
Whit is going for the Christmas decorations. Kennedy is extremely upset about this and yells, "Mommy, he is trying to get the Santa! Get him!"

I say, "No Whit!" He doesn't listen. :)

Sweet Success.

I thought boys were easier to raise! ha!

Whit, you are a ball of energy. I love that about you. You love everything boy. You love to tackle, to play ball, and to RUN! You wear me out but in a good way. One of my favorite sounds on earth is when you run to me, arms up high, and say, "MOM-ME!!"

His very first Time Out!

I know, I know, I should not document things like this. :) Sorry Whit. My two precious children decided it was a great night to play in the toilet and decorate the house with toilet paper. They were giggling and cackling while running all the way to the kitchen with the toilet paper trailing closely behind. Trouble...that is what they are! So, they each got a mat and had a little time out. It was Whit's first official time out. I had to turn around because it was so funny how upset he was. All I made him do was sit on the Santa rug. Sheessee....:)

Mommy loves you Whitty Whit. 17 months....it's time to follow the rules now.

P.S. 5 seconds later he was caught laughing and splashing in the toilet again and I grew a gray hair. :)

Kindermusik!

If you are looking for an activity for your toddler, I highly recommend Kindermusik. It is fun to have an activity that involves the parents too. Kennedy has really enjoyed being part of the class. Miss Delia does a great job. She loves having a class and a teacher. It has been fun seeing her change through the year. When we first started she was so shy. Now...well you can see by looking at her with the group. Here she is with her friends, Grace, Xavier, Emme, Banks (he is usually happy) and Mixon. :) Aren't they cute?

Story time! This little girl loves to listen to a book. :)

Big Decisions

Gosh, it is hard being a grown up. We took Whit to the ENT today after so many ear infections I have lost count. I think we are up to 5 now. He gets a cold and gets an ear infection. We met with a wonderful doctor in Savannah and I immediately felt better as he talked. He gave me a lot of scenarios of choices and what he thought would be best for him. He also told me to stick my fingers in my ears and listen to him to see how Whit is currently hearing most of the time due to all of the fluid in his ears. Try it, it will make you want to get him tubes! He passed his hearing test which was wonderful. After lots of talking, a nice informative video, a hearing test, and more talking with the doctor we settled on tubes as well as having his adenoids removed. I was totally ok with all of it until they said, "We need to schedule the surgery." SURGERY?!! I was referring to it as tubes....sounds easier that way. I also got to see how tiny they actually are and that lowered my freakoutness. So, after Christmas, I will hand my baby over to hands I am praying for already, to hopefully get him on the road to recovery. I dread those long 20 minutes but I do realize that God's hands are on the choices I am making for these children. I only want the best for them. Gosh, it is really, really hard being a grown up.

Magic

Christmas is magical. :) At least these two think so. Oh, even more reasons to love this time of year!

Life's about....

I have been totally bummed out at work this week. I got to school Monday to find my classroom covered in 3 inches of water. We weren't even allowed in our rooms. I taught on the 8th grade hall that day, the library the next...and continued my homelessness through today. I don't know if you have ever smelled wet carpet, but it is AWFUL! I won't be going back in there anytime soon. I'll teach in the hallway if I have to. Being homeless at work has really gotten my mood down. It is just hard lugging my things everywhere. I have my purse in one room, my lunch in another...I really couldn't take much more! Then last night happened. Susan had to be taken to the hospital in the middle of the night last night. I have been really worried about her lately and it finally got bad enough for her to be hospitalized. She was pretty dehydrated and they admitted her to the hospital. As I type this, we are not really sure what is going on diagnosis wise, but they think that it is a bacterial infection. Please pray she heals quickly and the doctors find out what is wrong. Greg went up to the ER last night with his parents so we were up pretty late last night. I woke up today to meet my fellow grumpy teachers about the awful smell on our hallway with a new perspective. It's not about any of that. Life is about living. It's about taking these moments and making the best of them. I just walked in my stinky room, put my purse in my closet like I always do, and went on with my day of class in the library. There are worse things that could happen. So, after school, I took my kids to do some things they love. We played with the trains at Books a Million and saw the chinchillas at Petco. Then we came home and cranked up Christmas music and had a dance party. It was truly, truly, good for my soul.

I am even more thankful for my family today. I'm thankful that Susan is being taken care of, that God watches over us and protects us, and has kept all of us safe. May I pass by the small things in life and enjoy what life is truly about.

Dear Kennedy,

I can't believe you are almost 3!! It seems like yesterday I was waiting on you to get here. My feet were so swollen I couldn't wear any shoes. I could barely walk. I couldn't feel my fingers. The minute I met you I forgot it all. It became the past and my life was forever changed. I remember that first moment, that look you had. I thought, "this is my child?" :) You are your daddy that is for sure! Tonight you helped me address and stuff your invitations to your big princess party. Your eyes twinkled with excitement as we put each invitation in the envelope. You truly sparkle with excitement about the things you love. You love princesses and babies. Purple is your "favorite kind of color." You tell me everyday that you took good care of your brother while at Michelle's. You say, "I made sure he didn't cry." Michelle says you don't give him the time of day there but that is your story everyday. You love him with your soul and I love that. You hugged my neck so tight last night and said, "Thank you so much Mommy! Thank you for letting my friends come over for my princess party!" I have been given such a grateful child. I've tried to teach you to be polite and generous. I try to teach you to appreciate even the little things and be thankful. To my surprise, you at almost 3, really get it. You are as grateful and appreciative as you could be at your age. You also told me tonight as you put on my ring that one day you would be married. Eyes twinkling again here...you say, " I will wear a beautiful ring and carry flowers in my arms." You are the same sweet little baby that I first held on that December day. 3 years later, you have dreams of being a princess, of marrying your prince and I am at a loss for words. I know you will grow and change. I cherish you now, my precious Kennedy. I cherish these sweet moments when life has no worries. You have no fears. You only know love and happiness. I hope you always hold on to that. I know the world will reach you, but for now, you live in this land of pure joy. Thank you for bringing that back to my life. Because of you I am full of that joy each day when I see you smile or hear a Kennedy story. My miracle, my joy, I love you so much.

Mommy

Double Take

The same face....wow, I look at them sometimes and am amazed! Someone said to Kennedy the other night, "You sure look just like your daddy!" Her reply, "I sure do!!" Crazy girl!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The house is decorated. I even got to the outside of the house today. I wish with all my heart, that one year my sweet husband will go to all the effort of lighting our house up in an obnoxious way. It is my dream. I want to live it the glowing house that screams CHRISTMAS!! He does not understand my obsession at all so each year I drag myself out and do what I can with my chair from the dining room table. I did get the garland on the columns and the windows done. It brings back such memories because for two years in a row I was pregnant with someone so I had to have help doing this. Greg huffed and puffed but did what I asked. It is something I now appreciate being able to do. Gosh, time flies. It seems like yesterday I was told to not climb on anything because I was pregnant with Whit and now look at them.....

As always during Christmas I am thankful. I hope I can take time to slow down and enjoy the season. It is truly my most favorite time of year. Merry Christmas everyone!

Silent Night....for a minute at least. :)

My sweet boy.....he was SO tired after church today he was SOUND asleep in Greg's arms. I never get to catch those moments on camera so you know I had to snap a few. I do so love a sleeping baby. Whit has never been my baby that let me rock him so I appreciate any moment he sleeps in my arms....or Greg's for that matter.

Then nap time is over and he is EVERYWHERE. That is just Whit. He loves life. He loves us. I love that about him. Here he is in action this afternoon.

Surprise!!

15 month check up...errr...ok 16 1/2 months

We are a bit late in going to our 15 month check up. He was so sick around 12 months I couldn't ever get him to that appointment that we got behind! I find myself really BORED with going to these well visits the second time around. I know my baby is fine, I don't need another trip to the dr to find that out. Then I have to realize how truly blessed I am to be bored at a well visit. My child is healthy. He is growing and strong. So, I'll enjoy my boring visits. Here are the highlight for baby record of course....

24 lbs 6 ounces....woo hoo!!!!!!!!!! He gained like 2 lbs this month. It is all muscle in my opinion. I have never seen muscles on a baby but this child has some chiseled legs. Seriously...come by and see. :)

31 1/2 inches long. This one makes me laugh. He has almost grown a ruler's length since he was born. Gosh, they grow fast!

This puts him around 40th percentile for weight, which has never been that high. He is in the 70th for height so maybe he will grow a little taller than these short Olliff men! Not that I don't love all the short Olliff men. :) He is like 90th in his head circumference. He's pretty smart you know. :)

I was asked to list his words. He has too many to list. He knows all the animal sounds, everyone he loves he can say their name and point...even you SuSu although he holds out on that one and whispers it and then announces Poppa's arrival! I love his conversations lately. They sound like this MaMa....gla gi skibba go la go boo sa ga. Yes, Whit. I understand.

So much to be thankful for. Praise God for my healthy son. I am feeling like a super blessed MaMa right about now. We love you Whit. Sorry for taking you to the dr. I know it is not your favorite place. :) Maybe one day we'll go and you won't get shots. :)