6 MONTHS Pirate Style

Arrrrrr......I be turning 6 months, matey!

Oh that Kaelan  is diggin' this whole themed month thing.  Poor little Seth.  

He just became the new American Girl Doll and he doesn't even know it yet.

The Giver

She's sweet, funny, grouchy if she gets hungry or tired.

She's a lover of animals and  nature and never misses the opportunity to take a good roll in the dirt.

She is a baby whisperer and can calm any screaming infant.

She loves pop tarts (something she just recently got to try), spaghetti and broccoli, and would probably eat them all mixed together if given the dare.

She will read anything she can get her hands on.

She has a tickle spot just under her chin that makes her go insane.

She loves a good cuddle and hates having her hair brushed.

She is addicted to mouthwash and milk (though not mixed).

And she is a giver.

I am sure I have written before about how my mother is a born giver.   She is just one of those people who will give all she has to someone else she feels is more in need.  As a kid, I hated this trait.  It drove me nuts to hear that my mom was always giving money or food to someone else, but yet she bought us the generic sugar cereals because the name brand was too expensive.  Really?  How about you don't give money to that bum on the corner this week and let us have Frosted Flakes instead of "Sugar Leaves"?

But now, I get it.   I really do.  I LOVE that my mom has taught us to be givers.   It is a trait that I deeply hope to pass on to Kaelan, but the truth is, she has displayed a love for giving since she was a toddler.   It fills my heart with pride to witness this.   Here are few of the acts of kindness she has shown:

Kaelan is always after us to keep one dollar bills in the car.   She feels very strongly that we should be prepared if there is someone who might need that dollar more than we do.   Austin has a huge homeless population, so the need arises often.   It is tough not to be cynical and judging of people.   Sometimes you gut just tells you not to give money to certain people.   I shared this with Kaelan once, and she looked at me with those giving eyes and said, "Yeah, mommy, sometimes it might be hard to give because you don't know if they really need it.  But what if that person is really just Jesus in disguise wanting to see what we would do?"   Kid, you kill me.

Kaelan likes to say a little prayer when we approach a homeless person at a stoplight.  She simply asks God to put it on her heart whether or not this person needs this money.   For now, that system works and keeps us out of the poor house.   Another solution Kaelan came up with was to give food instead of money.   This way we would KNOW where the money went.  Kaelan used her own money to put together care packages that we carry in our cars to hand out.   With Austin temperatures blazing, we also carry a cooler with cold water to hand out with the packages.  

   One day we handed out a bag to a lady who stopped and read the message.  She immediately turned back towards our car and motioned for us to roll down the window.  With tears in her eyes, she looked right at Kaelan and told her she was an angel.  When we pulled away, Kaelan told me THAT is why she likes giving.  

She gets it.

Preparing to make bags.

A message in each bag from Kaelan.

Once Kaelan set her mind to cutting her hair, there was no changing it.   Recently, I had to undergo another round of blood infusions/transfusions, and Kaelan went with dad to drop me off at the oncology office where I have this done.   The location for my treatments is also where patients receive chemo treatments.   It can be a joyous yet heartbreaking room.   I love the folks I meet there, but I leave with a heavy heart.   Many of them are in a battle for their life.   Kaelan heard me speak of a young woman who I met during treatments.  Kaelan actually caught a glimpse of her bald head once, and thus came the whole conversation about cancer, chemo, hair loss......leading to the topic of Locks of Love. 

No sooner had the conversation ended when Kaelan announced she would be cutting her hair to donate it. 

I don't know that I was ready for this, but it is her hair to give, and well....we have established, she  is a giver.

Goodbye my tangly friend.

I had to concentrate really hard on smiling and not freaking out at this point.

Now it belongs to someone else.

Cut, sealed and off to a new head.

The last thing I want to share is Kaelan's birthday wish.   This year, instead of gifts, Kaelan has chosen this charity to raise money for a well.   She is well (no pun intended) on her way to meeting her goal. 

I could not be more proud of my girl.  

I am inspired by her  and hope that this giving behavior follows her throughout her life.

Afterall, I have acquired a taste for "Sugar Leaves".

First Day

So it happened.  That day I dreaded for many years came and went, and despite thinking I wouldn't make it, I survived.    Kaelan's first day of school was August 16th.   We counted down the days starting way back in June.   She has longed for this day, and I loathed the thought of it arriving.   Kaelan actually tested out of Kindergarten (she tested out of 1st as well!), but after much discussion, fret, nightmares and a case study from UT that settled the dilemma once and for all, we decided to place her in a Kindergarten class at a private Christian school.  The idea of her driving a year earlier, graduating a year earlier and oh Lord, here is the big one.....DATING a year earlier made our tummy's roll, so Doug and I decided to find a school that would meet her academic needs and yet allow her to be among a peer group that matched her maturity level. 

We think we have found it.  

We hope we have found it.  

This kid is just such a learning sponge.   I worry we will never meet her academic needs, but we will keep her busy with doing our taxes or tracking our stocks or something like that. 

As a former Kinder teacher, I know how parents can have a really hard time with that first day.  I have always sworn I would not be that hovering parent on my kid's first day.  I know how difficult it makes the whole process, and as a teacher it can be a real pain.  This all sounds great in theory. 

Now, I am on the parent side of the coin. 

Kaelan tears off the last link in the school countdown chain.

 Mandatory front porch first day picture.

Leaving the parents seemed pretty easy.  It was leaving Seth that was tough  on her.  My first cry moment was when she leaned down close to his ear and whispered, "It is just 7 1/2 hours little buddy.  I will be home to you soon and we will play, play, play.   You be good for mommy.  She is really sad today.  I love you, Bubba."

Sob.  Sob.  Sob. 

Waiting for the welcome bell.

Hanging up the backpack.....did you really need this caption.  Probably not.

Smart teacher had playdough and a mat down for the busy work.  This was a great way to get kids settled.  I think I may have used this back in the day when I taught Kindergarten.   I thought I had invented this idea......maybe I should charge her teacher  a copyright fee.

So, as you read, my first cry moment was when Kaelan had her little chat with Seth.   I turned away, and only Doug caught that one.   He thought it was hilarious how I was falling apart.  I told him the night before that I was ready and I was going to do fine, but it just did not work for me. 

My second breakdown happened after she took her seat and starting working.  I did NOT want to be a lingering parent, so insisted that since she was settled, it was time for Doug and I to  make our way to the Tears and Cheers breakfast for Kinder parents.   The night before, we had all read "The Kissing Hand" in preparation of this big day.  I had traced my hand and placed a heart sticker in the middle of it and then placed it in her lunch. (You will have to read the book to get it).   Anyhow, just as we turned to leave, Kaelan called me over and pulled me down so we were mouth to ear.   "I love you, mama.  You will be fine today.  Here is something for you until I get home."   She opened my hand up and kissed my palm, then curled my fingers around it for safe keeping.  

I booked it out the door past my giggling husband, just trying to hold in the explosive sob that was about erupt.  

 And so, there I was.....the hovering mom in the hallway with sad, wet eyes and a runny nose peering through the window at my baby.  

Month by Month: 5

Month 5

  

My house is pure craziness!  I have one kid losing teeth (and now growing new teeth) at an alarming rate, and another kid with teeth popping up every day!   I thought having kids 5 years apart made for only one kid teething in the house, but I forgot Kaelan's teeth were only temporarily visiting.  

 Orajel, anyone?

Yep, you cut some teeth this month.   At least two are out and very visible, and a third one, your canine, is half out on the front side.   At least we now have an explanation for that week of rough nights and not so happy behavior.   You are putting those new chompers to good use with all the new and tasty solids you are eating.  Dr. C gave us the go on just about every kind of food, so we started you on the veggies and with each week we added a new flavor.   You never took to rice or oatmeal, but this baby food stuff is the bomb in your opinion.   Mommy has mashed up some good stuff for you.   So far, you love fresh sweet potatoes, corn and apples mixed together.   You also dig peas and green beans.   Kaelan's favorite line is "what goes in must come out".   She reminds us of this each time we feed you and boy is she right!   We have seen a whole color spectrum of diapers.     Luckily, the new changes in your diet have stopped all that gassiness.   You are ending the month around 18lbs!!!!   Your sister weighed about that much at 11 months.   Dad claims that you are practicing your tackle position in the above pictures.   I am starting to believe that. 

 We are going to need an NFL income to pay your grocery bill.

You are a star jumper.  You get that jumparoo going and you love the Johnny Jumper.   Anything in the standing position makes you happy.   You also love "walking" around the house while we hold your hands.    You have zero desire to crawl right now.    Sadly, being on your tummy means instant puking for you.   Dr. C says it is the reflux, but he thinks you are really one of those who would just rather walk.   I would rather you do neither.  It is a sign of growing up and I don't appreciate you doing that.   Now potty training?  I can deal with that....I would rather not change your  diaper when you are 23 and still living at home.  

That is still the plan, right?

You are cute, kid.  Drool and all.  Daddy asked if you were going to deliver newspapers in that hat.  I will let him apologize for that comment now......

Seth,

Your mom insists on putting you in some of the silliest things, aka, the hat above.  Maybe it's me, because everyone says it's cute, but as far as I'm concerned, cute isn't what I want for my boy.  Mom's also tried to bypass the Rocky onesie, not to mention the Run DMC outfit I got for you.  Yeah, Italian rapper . . .  that's my boy.  You've gone from being below 50th percentile on weight and height at birth (head was off the chart, and still is) to being almost off the chart now on height and up to about 80% on weight.  You feel like a ton of bricks, but at just under 19 lbs, are well on track for the outside tackle position for the Atlanta Falcons.  One of my fondest memories this month is how you work to get your sister's attention.  Peering around the car seat and yelling at her or making a clicking sound to let her know you are ready for some love.  It amazes me how much you change each day.  It seems like I come home from work and you're doing something new.  I can't wait each day to see what's in store.

Love,

Dad

Independence Day

There were no fireworks on the 4th this year due to the drought conditions. I worried that this and the fact that we had literally returned from vacation a few hours before the stroke of midnight on the 4th was going to make for a very blah Independence Day. 

Here we are in our festive red, white and blue......and green.   Like I said, we just returned from vacation and did not have a patriotic wardrobe planned.   I told Doug to throw on an Old Navy shirt for photos and he came out in this getup.   What?   he asked me in a shocked manner when I gave him the stink eye.   This IS an Old Navy shirt, he said proudly. 

Yeah, an Old Navy St. Patrick's Day shirt, you dork.  

 And here is Bandit joining the photo op and doing what he does best, sniffing his bum.

      

By the third photo, you can see that she threw out her back.   The boy is HEAVY.

 HOWEVER, despite our bleak outlook, our 'hood pulled through once again and made it a fabulous day.   We had our annual bbq and family water fight, and it was  a real hoot.   The kids had a blast, and we really did not have any planning or preparing to take care of.  We have done it enough times that the event seems to just plan itself.   The highlight of the day was when Doug came around the corner in his Rambo water gear and surprised the kids.   He literally had water weapons tucked in his underwear to reload when needed.   Even though I had plans to join the kids and gang up on other adults (see earlier post, I  am a quick learner), unfortunately, Doug bribed the children with sweets and they took me down.   I was soaked.  Like my bra took 2 days to dry kind of soaked.

Did we miss the fireworks?   Maybe a little.....I just adore the kids and their sparklers, but I think we made the best of the situation and created some really fun memories for our kiddos.   Next year, though.....I am taking Doug down with the Roman Candles!

Family Frenzy

Summer always brings us back to the mountains of home.   A break from the heat, air fresh and clean, and mama's cooking.   But best of all, visits home mean family, and family is something we have in abundance.

 Paw-Paw and Seth have some wrastlin' time on the floor.

Obviously, Seth won this match.  No title belt here, just a crown of Paw-Paw's hat.

         

Cousins....minus a couple, but still trouble.

We have a tradition with the cousins.   Each year, we have an all out, no holds barred water fight.   It is becoming more involved each year, and the older the boy cousins get, the more serious and planned this thing becomes.  I have a secret....I plan to ALWAYS put myself on their team.   I don't want to be on the receiving end of their business.  We will let Uncle Doug take that job.

     

Lesson learned....never sit on a tree stump with a wet bum.   The tree sap soaked right in.   Her cousins coined her "Sticky Buns" for the remainder of the week.     Take a guess at what they  offered her for breakfast the next day?

Uncle Tony, Aunt Alex, Izi and furry cousin, Charlie.  

Charlie is the only cousin we allow to lick Kaelan.

Izi and K

These two mountain girls love nothing more than spending time running around the mountains, playing in dirt, kicking pinecones and putting on fourteen layers of lipgloss.

Despite the dry conditions and the lack of rain, we spent plenty of time enjoying the cool weather and lovely scenery. 

Here, daddy and Seth enjoy the wonders of God's creations.

Actually, they were watching slurry planes headed to the huge fire that broke out while we were there.   The much needed rain came, but along with it came lightening.   The fire was less than 10 miles from town, and sadly caused a lot of damage and chaos.   We were actually glad to be there and know our family was okay rather than trying to contact them via phone.  

All was good within a few days, and the fire was contained.  

We are so lucky to have family that live and work right on site at the Sacremento Peak Obseravatory in Sunspot, NM.  Kaelan just loves studying space and constellations right now, so a night time trip to a place of space study was the bees knees.   The stars were unbelievable because we were at such a high elevation and there is an ordinance that keeps out unnecessary  light.   No street lights, porch lights, just dark, dark, dark and amazing views of space. 

Hiking up to some of the telescopes at dusk.

The crew at an overlook of the flatlands and White Sands.   Speaking of Whites Sands.........I have a few photos to share with you about that.  Or, maybe you are reading this in published order, which means I already shared them with you.  Either way, on to White Sands......

The Sands

Every time we head home, we make the rounds to all the old haunts of my childhood.   There are so many places of adventure that I now get to see and experience for the first time all over again through the eyes of my children.   Since our last visit to White Sands, Kaelan has asked us many times to take her back.   As hot as it was in NM for that time of year, the weather was dreamy the day we decided to head out to the dunes.  We spent the morning in Las Cruces (our college town) and filled our bellies with green chile.   We rolled into White Sands just in time to watch a storm over the mountain range.   This year I was hoping to do some serious sledding and rolling, because the little "secret" in my belly made me play it safe last year.  However, I found myself enjoying hanging out and just watching Kaelan do all the tricks for me. 

This way is so much less exerting.

 

 

             
Awww....look at this cute little explorer we found in the sand.  Stay tuned to find out why sand and babies don't mix.

 

Seth loved the sand.   He loved laying in it, rolling in it, touching it, eating it.  

The sand loved Seth, too. 

So much so that it took up residence in his diaper.   Daddy took on the task of removing sand from all folds and crevices (and my little booger has a lot of those).   When all was said and done and removed, dad reported that we could have filled the sandbox in the backyard for free with the contents of Seth's bum alone. 

 

Okay, so I DID play a little.