Just us

Slow news week with a whole lot of mucus

It is just one of those weeks where we barely get home before we're going to bed to get up to do it all over again.

I have a small/big news update about Addie.

The update is big to us, but small in comparison to our other milestones.

Chunky Monkey is suffering from yet another sinus infection.

For the last six months or so, I have made a point of handing Monkey a tissue and telling her to wipe her nose.

I always do it knowing full well she would wipe it across her mouth or cheek and the tissue would fall to the floor without doing anything other than making a mess.

Yet, I didn't give up.

We worked on it and Monkey's teachers at daycare worked on it...until yesterday at daycare, Addie walked over to the tissues, grabbed one and proceeded to wipe her little nose.

She then proceeded to throw the dirty tissue into the trash.

We think this milestone is quite a big step for our Baby Girl.

Many may take this simple task for granted, but for our Baby, she has worked so hard at trying to understand what it means to wipe her nose and to have the coordination to wipe her nose.

We really are just thrilled and of course we think it is just the cutest thing ever.

Not to mention, that our little Monkey is very proud of herself!

____________________

P.S.

Monkey sat down in her big girl chair at school all by herself today!

Nobody had to help her and Chris and I were standing there watching her as she did it!

Now, that is yet another huge milestone for us!!!

In fact, it has been four months since we made this task a priority and we think she finally has it.

We are just so proud of Addie!

Of course, we wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for your unwavering prayers and support.

Please rejoice with me in yet another milestone met!

Just one night of selfishness

One night.

This was the first night that Chris and I left the kids for a selfish night to ourselves (thanks to our selfish act of outbidding another great couple at Edie's fundraiser).

This place is so very special to us and it was nice to go back - even though it was just for a little while.

Although we were just minutes from home, we felt like we were a million miles away.

The view from our balcony - thanks to our "VIP" room.

It was just the two of us and no camera.

The Blackberry held at arm's length had to do...we're really not that yellowy/orange in person.

We had a great time although neither one of us could sleep.
I don't know if we are just accustomed to no sleep, but we were both wide awake at 2:30 a.m. and finally up before dawn.
I will say that this is the first breakfast in four years where I was able to sit and read a newspaper
and
it is also the first time in a very, very long time that Chris and I have been able to enjoy spa services -way overdue mind you.
It was nice to spend the quiet time with Chris, sometimes we forget what that feels like - but we wouldn't trade our lives for anything.
Maybe we can go back again next year and maybe next year we can sleep until at least daybreak.

To answer the most popular question lately:

No, we are not on Facebook!

We do realize the rest of the world is, but we are not.

You can thank my brother for that.

(I still love you, it will just be a while before I let you live it down)

Happy 3rd Birthday Trenton!

Our Valentine's Baby celebrated his Birthday tonight!

Over the last three years, Trenton has turned into one very shy little boy!

He was just fine with Julien, but didn't want to have a whole lot to do with us silly girls.

After a bit, Trenton was an ever so gracious host and allowed us to invade his home...

and his personal space.

Addie-pa-tattie would not leave Trenton alone for nothing!

He tried to get away, but she followed

Even underneath the table!
Take note that she never let go of her cup of cheese puffs though!

Trenton was so excited about his presents!

And said, "ohhhh" as he opened each gift...

Hot diggity dog...it's Mickey Mouse!

Look at that sweet little face!

Happy 3rd Birthday Trenton!

We love you and are so honored to be a part of this very special day.

We have been with you since the beginning and look forward to each year yet to come!

Rotten Child

My rotten little Baby Girl went to a birthday party and came home with a bag full of Easter goodies.

Talk about being ahead of the game Dewana.

You feeling pretty good about putting the rest of us to shame?

Is it wrong

to smile when your child's teacher calls to tell you that your child got a boo-boo?

While Chris and I were right smack in the middle of our relaxing afternoon yesterday, I got a call from Monkey's teacher.

She said that on the way back to the classroom from the multipurpose room, Monkey decided she was going to run to catch up to her.

Monkey's teacher said that Monkey looked back trying to find her other teacher when all of a sudden the wall smacked right into Monkey's left temple.

I couldn't help but smile.

Monkey is fine, a small knot that is awfully red, but she is fine - but did you catch what it was that made me smile?

Monkey was running...

She was running to catch her teacher - do you realize the physical and cognitive aspects of that?

My heart hurt for the little Monkey because of her boo-boo, but I was so happy at the news that she was running (in the hallway, which is against the rules - oops).

To top that off...Monkey never cried.

My sweet, tough little Baby Girl.

See Monkey Run

Run Monkey Run

Happy Anniversary to Us!

We never have to be reminded how very blessed we are.

(Our wedding pictures are tucked away safely from the move...somewhere. This picture is about the best I could do for now.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had the perfect Valentine's Day!

Chris, Julien and I decided that there was no better way to spend our day than to be at The Mercedes Marathon.

Like I told Julien as we were standing waiting for the first runner to top the hill, "most of these runners are out here because this is what they love to do, but we have to cheer for each and every one of them like they are running for Addie. This race helps to provide services to children who need help, just like our Addie."

The Mercedes Marathon means so much to us.

For us, it is emotional to watch and we wanted nothing more than to be there.

We made our way down to The Bell Center mile and stayed with our friends as we cheered for all the runners and walkers who came by.

It was a perfectly beautiful morning.

After the race, my boys took me to J. Alexander's for lunch before returning home to sweet Addie.

There is nothing more that could possibly have made the day any better.

Picture of the day!

Addie and her Daddy

I am just so proud

Julien decided that he wanted to go bowling.

He was certain that Chunky Monkey would be able to participate and would have a great time. Julien told me that he would help the little Monkey and so we decided to give it a try.

Julien was right.

Chunky Monkey had a great time and it only took her a few minutes to catch on to turn taking and what she had to do.

Monkey got a little upset in the beginning because she didn't understand, but a few minutes later she was sitting on my lap and we were talking about what was going on.

I told her that she would have a turn, then Julien, then her Daddy and then it would be her turn again.

Before long, she had it all down.

She would go up to push the ball down the lane, then she would stop and smile at everybody near us, then she would run back over to me and sit on my lap and watch.

She watched Julien have his turn, then her Daddy and then she would wiggle down off of my lap and take Julien's hand or Chris's hand and walk out to the lane and do it all over again.

It was such a beautiful sight to see the pure joy in her eyes.

She wanted nothing more than for everyone to be so proud of her accomplishments.

If she only knew how very proud Julien and her truly make me!

She is such a sweet angel and so very blessed to have the best big brother in the world!

Julien even got his old bowling ball out of the basement for Monkey and passed it down to her!

Somehow we managed

to scrape up enough snow to make the World's Largest Mud Covered Cotton Ball

After naptime

Chunky Monkey didn't disagree to going outside to see the snowman.

After all, we were talking about a snowman, not a scarecrow.

She originally had no desire to get down and walk in the snow...

but after a few minutes of watching Julien, she decided she wanted to touch all the "ssNO" too...

Chris went in and grabbed her snow boots.

The snow boots that Julien wore when he was Addie's age; boots that are three entire sizes too big for the Monkey.

She didn't mind, she couldn't really walk in the boots or the snow anyway.

She was just so proud of her boots and was so happy to be outside enjoying the beautiful scenery!

Photography by Julien

While Addie was napping

Julien and Chris put our snowman together!

Only 146 Pictures

We only took 146 snow pictures.
We have to take as many as we can, we never know how long it will be before we see snow again!
Here are a few, with a few more yet to come.

We don't have snow attire, so we have to compile a hodgepodge of items to partake in snow activities.

Man oh man, was Julien thrilled to have snow to play in!

Here is our "pre-nap" pictures.

Pretty sad...we can still see the ground underneath!

Addie was so very excited to see all the white stuff falling from the sky!

She didn't care to touch it, didn't want to walk in it and certainly didn't want to stay out in it...

but she loved just watching it...

Addie was so excited and tried her best to say, "ssNO!"

(Check out those top two sponsors for Down Syndrome awareness!)

Thank you Lexus

Thank goodness for small favors.

I came home the other night with a massive headache.

Luckily, Addie went to bed right on time and I decided that I was going to bed too.

In bed by 9:30, I was thrilled that I might just be able to sleep away my headache, when next thing I knew, Julien decided to come and check on me.

He climbed up onto the bed and had just settled back on a pillow when a Lexus commercial came on.

I was barely listening, but heard a few key words and all of a sudden, I started silently wishing that Julien hadn't picked up on those words...and then out of Julien's mouth came the words:

"Hey Mom...why don't you go buy the Lexus. It virtually parks itself and that way you won't have to back up so many times when you're trying to park".

Really?

Thank you Lexus for putting me to shame.

Even in the eyes of my Baby Boy, I park my SUV like a girl.

(Just for the record, I don't drive like a girl, it's just the parking that presents a problem. The first four SUV's I owned were easy as pie to park. This SUV has the turning radius of a large yacht...so really, it's not my fault)

Forgiveness

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, we got snow...

Not even enough to cover the roads...

but yet it was enough to close the schools...

Northern neighbors of ours, forgive our Southerness...we only have like two sand trucks in the entire State, so when those white flakes start to fall, panic sets in.

Hope you guys are hanging in there and can maneuver through the eight foot snow drifts, we sure did enjoy our two inches of precipitated fluff!

Valentine's Party

A Valentine's Party is not complete without cheese puffs and pink frosted cookies...Mmmm.

Monkey was so happy and enjoyed her party!

She was so proud to show us how she can carry her plate from the table to the trashcan (and she didn't spill anything!).

We're making good progress...

Pink

Monkey really enjoyed her Valentine's Party at school!

Jessica started off by playing a color game with cars.

Monkey was supposed to tell what color car she drove to school that day.

Pink was the color, a color Monkey can't say.

It didn't matter one bit to her though.

She had the best time just playing along and was so happy that Chris and I were there with her!

When she first saw us come to the door for the party, she ran over to us and was so happy!

I'm just still so amazed to see her standing independently and I'm so thankful for her!

That's what life is all about...

Speaking of voices and shoes

Was I the only one that had Loretta Lynn's voice singing through their minds as they were reading about Monkey's new shoes?

Oh so proud!

Monkey was so happy to wear her new shoes to school!

On the way to school, Monkey "asked" me to take one of her shoes off so that she could hold it and look at it.

Sweet, sweet Baby Girl!

Sybil

I hear voices in my head.
I have self diagnosed and am absolutely certain that I cannot be clinically classified as having a dissociative identity disorder.
Yet, the voices remain.
There are many voices:
Those that tell me to smile politely;
Those that tell me to bite my tongue;
Those that tell me that carbs really are not my friend;
Those that talk me through backing out of the tiniest of parking spots;
Those that ask me why I ever bought such a long vehicle if I hated parking so much;
Those that tell me I need more rest;
Those that tell me it's okay if I'm having a bad day - other people do too;
and
There are many, many more voices;
One voice in particular told me that there is no shame in hoarding buying three pairs of Lelli Kelly's because they were on sale and braces might just fit into the Lelli Kelly's and that I was smart to buy three pairs at one time.
I like that voice. That voice makes me happy.
Oh, just for the fun of it, we'll call that voice..."Patti".

It's one of my happier voices.