Sunday, December 23, 2012

Month 7

Weeks 26-30

November 22-December 26

The halfway point of the 7th month marks the beginning of the 3rd trimester. At the end of this month we have between 9 and 13 weeks left to go.

Month 7 was another very busy month for the Renegar family.  This month ecompassed both Thanksgiving and Christmas and saw us home in Virginia for two visits, attending several holiday parties, a few doctors appointments for well and sick checkups and doing some shopping and engaging in festivities of our own.

Baby
At the end of this month, Baby Girl will be up to 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 pounds (given the size of Big Brother, I'd say close to 3 1/2).  She's developed taste buds and is practicing swallowing (while tasting amniotic fluid) and breathing.  This effort to regulate both swallowing and breathing at the same time often leads to the hiccups.  Although kicks and turns and other movement are becoming stronger and more noticebale, Baby Girl is much more calm in the womb than her big brother.  Some days hiccups are the most activity we get.  Unless, of course Mommy eats something really yummy... Mandarin oranges and hot chocolate (not together) are really getting her going these days. I even got a strong elbow (or knee, or foot) that made me jump a little the other day.

Mommy
As month 7 comes to a close I have a hard time believing that we will have another little bundle in just a few short months.  It seems so far away and I feel like I have so much time to get things ready.  Then when I think about returning to school on January 7th (after a much needed Holiday Break) I realize that this little angel could be a real, live part of our family as soon as 7 or 8 weeks later.  Of course, given my family's tendency toward 10 month pregnancies, I probably have a few more weeks of wiggle room. Still, I know these last months will go quickly and I'm really looking forward to meeting this little one and embarking on the next leg of our family's journey.

Daddy and Big Brother
Daddy contiues to be very excited about a little girl being part of the family and Whit continues to be not so sure about, and not very aware of, the impending changes. He is adjusting to Mommy's growing belly well, to the point of not even noticing that there is a difference until bedtime when getting snuggly with Mommy has become more difficult, especially with Baby Sister asking for more room.

Check out what Big Brother Whit was doing during Month 7

Thursday, December 20, 2012

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

I can hardly believe Christmas is a short 5 days away. 

In part, this is because I still sit here, in Tennessee, in my classroom, with students buzzing around me (by the way, wearing t-shirts and no jackets due to the 65+ degree weather). 

At home, we have the tree up and all of the presents wrapped and gleaming beneath the lights.  Frosty the Snowman has been a staple part of our TV rotation and we've been listening to Christmas music regularly, but I'm still having trouble settling and finding that Christmas feeling.  I'm ready for snow and heavy jackets, or at least hats and mittens.

One of the wonderful things about having children is the ability to pass down traditions to them.  I'm looking forward to a Christmas Eve service in which Whit will be able to sing some of the songs (Go, Tell it on the Mountain is one he actually knows!) and reading stories before bed.  I'm also ready for Christmas cookies, plenty of busy time with family and friends and that ever-special Christmas morning experience, taken to a whole new level by watching the joy of children rather than experiencing it for yourself.

Still, we are trying to keep the true meaning of Christmas alive in our house.  Whit recognized Baby Jesus before Santa and I try to remind him, in spite of presents, that the celebration is truly about the amazing gift that was given to the human race.  It helps that Whit is wary of strangers and does not take kindly to the idea that some strange man is coming to his house even if he is planning to bring presents.  I know it will be a battle over the coming years to separate the fulfillment of material desires from the gift of a Savior, but perhaps by teaching him at such a young age it will become the basis for his understanding of the holiday as he gets older.

5 days and counting.... our last Christmas as a family of 3!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Month 6

Weeks 22-25

October 25- November 21

Perhaps I won't be able to keep up with a weekly or even bi-weekly update on this baby.  But... so goes the life of the second child.  I'm sure our baby girl will also suffer from half as many photos as big brother Whit (just as her mother did).  It's just exhausting keeping up with a busy 2 1/2 year old and working... especially during the holiday season.

So here we are getting ready to wrap up the 6th month of pregnancy, weeks 21-25.  The baby is steadily gaining fat to keep warm and the skin is starting to pink up with the formation of tiny capillaries. Baby grows strong and she is practicing her future dance moves.  Not nearly as active as big brother in the womb, I'm hoping it means this girl is going to be a little less rambunctious outside of it (but just a little).

The digestive system is continuing to develop and baby can swallow (and taste) amniotic fluid and sometimes gets the hiccups.  Mommy is also getting bigger and starting to put on those ever so lovely fat deposits that while unflattering now will come in handing in about 4 months when it's time to feed the hungry little one.

By the end of this month Baby weighs about 1 1/2 pounds, can respond to sound and touch and would survive outside the womb with intensive care.  Although given this families track record, I wouldn't expect the news of another Knoxville Renegar until March!

Here's a link to what Whit was up to during the 6th month back in February 2010

And a comparison shot:

25 weeks with Whit


24 weeks with Baby Girl! 





Friday, November 16, 2012

Photo Update!

The time period between the 15th of October and 15th of November proved to be the single busiest month for our family.  We were busy in our professional and personal lives.  I'm posting some pictures below so that you can quickly see what we've been up to. We had quite a lot of fun at the Pumpkin Farm and all of the Halloween festivities.  Since then we've been trying to chill out and catch up!

Racing Tractors with Mommy

Down the big slide with Daddy

Feeding the goats!

Getting a cuddle from Papa (it was so cold!!)

Picking a pumpkin

Found it... and Daddy!

And not letting go

Trunk or Treat - Bounce house! (with Sarah)

Climbing up with Marcus

Getting ready

And down the big slide.... fast!

At the pre-school costume party with "best friends: Whit (footballer), Trip (cookie) and Tucker (dinosaur)"

Trick-or-Treat with Reese and Sarah

Riding in style!

The first trick or treat

Treat received!

Mommy and Baby Girl at 5 months (22 weeks) You'd be surprised how much bigger I've gotten in just 2 weeks!

On a trip with Whit's class mascot "Sparkles"

Taking Sparkles to the baseball field

Playing baseball with Daddy


And now soccer

And back to baseball - the first "pitching" photo

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Sugar and Spice

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails
That's what little boys are made of !"

What are little girls made of?
"Sugar and spice and all things nice
That's what little girls are made of!"



It looks like we've had our fill of snails and puppy dog tails (for now) and are in the market for some sugar and spice!  Can't wait to meet our baby girl! 


 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Bookworm

As an avid book reader I was very concerned in the first few years of Whit's life that he would be far more concerned with other things to become involved in reading.  Not that being a "reader" makes you a better person or even makes you good.  I've been known to lose myself in a good book and render myself basically deaf and blind outside of the story I'm in.  But reading does have benefits.  Children who read, or are read to frequently, tend to perform higher than average in school and develop better writing and communication skills as they get older.  Plus, reading is FUN! (yes, I know I sound like a big dork when I say that).

Much to my amazement, over the last six to twelve months Whit has gradually turned into quite the bookworm. We began reading at bedtime when Whit was about 18 months old and we could barely make it through one book before he was ready to be asleep. Now we have to limit him to two or three books a night or we would still be reading well beyond bedtime.  In the last few weeks Whit has tried to negotiate and sometimes sneak additional books before turning in.  Many nights I've turned off the light with him still standing at the bookshelf.

And then the other morning I was making Whit's bed and what did I find but two books wedged underneath the pillow.  Apparently, we've been reading in bed with the lights out - an amazing feat!  I don't think I need to worry about Whit's love of books anytime soon.  And Baby Girl seems to enjoy story time well.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Week 19

October 5-11

This week we finally heralded the news to the world about the new baby making it's presence known. And making it's presence known the baby is.  

Baby is growing bigger this week.  Of course, that will be his or her job for the next several years.... just getting bigger (and being adorable, of course). Baby is over 6 inches long now and is coming in on a full pound.  Although Mama is ready to meet this baby who hasn't stopped wiggling, clearly he or she is not quite big enough to join the family yet.  For now I'll have to settle for the kicks, punches and rolls that are a little stronger every day and hope that this little one stays put through what is already becoming a very cold winter.  Mama is getting a little bigger as well although not quite big enough for it to be obvious for to strangers.  Soon enough I think, sooner if I were to really showcase the bump.  For now, I'm happy keeping the belly more or less under wraps until it's too big to hide.  You know... that whole strangers touching you thing really weirds me out. 

Whit looked at me this week and asked "Mama, where is the Baby?  Baby with Mama?"  I answered "Yes, the baby is still with Mama, here it is,", and pulled back my shirt to reveal the bump.  Whit responded "Oh! Baby! Kiss the Baby" and kiss the baby he did.  It was quite sweet.  I know it is becoming more difficult for him because he isn't allowed to tackle Mama or climb on Mama.  And Mama cannot carry him around the way she used to.  But hopefully Whit will love the baby as much as we do and as much as we love him. 

Mama is getting restless and is ready to get things arranged for this little one who's arrival will surely be here sooner than we really expect once we traverse the rapidly moving holiday times and the ever eventful transition from fall to spring semesters. Still, I should probably wait to find out if we will have another mini-version of Kirk or if perhaps this time we will get dresses and long curly hair.  Only time will tell! 

ps - here's a re-cap of where we were with Whit at week 19

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Twice as Nice - Part 2

I decided to split this post into 2 so that there wouldn't be quite so much to digest at one time!   So here are weeks 12-18.


Week 12 (August 18-24)

Baby - This week the baby is mostly formed and can now concentrate on those final weeks of development and several weeks of growing. The fully formed eyes are fused shut and will stay that way until around month 7. Hair is appearing on the head, fingernails on the fingers and toes, and tooth buds are present below the gums. The baby is moving around spontaneously and can get the hiccups and suck his or her thumb. 

Big Brother - We are still working on how to explain to Whit that there is a baby coming.  Whenever he makes a big deal over babies (Whit LOVES babies) I always say "You are getting a baby brother or sister soon."  But without a big, moving belly, or an actual baby, I know it's a difficult concept to master.  Besides, Whit is far to busy adapting to pre-school to worry too much about a sibling just yet. 

Mama - I'm finally beginning to get a little less nauseated although it is sticking around a little longer than I would like.  I have another week before we are officially out of the first trimester and at that time I'm hoping that my energy level will pick up a little and I can stop accidentally falling asleep with Whit during his 8:30 bedtime routine.  This week we had our second midwife appointment and I got to hear a strong heart beat of 160 bpm.  It was a little strange for both Kirk and myself to not have a photo of the baby to take home with us and stranger still that I don't go back to the midwife for another 6 weeks, but I continue to enjoy this more relaxed approach to pregnancy.  Why over analyze something that is a God-created miracle?  Trust in the plan.  

Week 13 (August 25-31)

Baby - This week the baby is about 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce.  All that swimming around in the amniotic fluid has created completely unique little swirls that will someday be recorded as Baby's fingerprints. The baby can make sucking and swallowing motions (preparing for those ever-yummy first meals!) and can make fists and control some movement.  The last 3 months have been a time of rapid development and the next 3 months will see rapid growth for both Baby and Mama. 

Mama & Daddy - Mama (Daddy too) is starting to feel the effects of the first 3 weeks of school.  I had a great early pregnancy, going to bed early, sleeping in, 2 hour afternoon naps.  All (or most) of that went by the wayside when school began.  I'm still trying to get the rest I need without letting anything fall... back to that balancing act again.  We've begun telling some close friends this week.  Sorry if you weren't the first, most of the tells were somewhat accidental or just because they asked.  Of course, both mine and Kirk's co-teachers were the first to realize that something might be up.  We still haven't decided when to share the news with everyone as we aren't much on big announcements that draw the attention to us (shocking, I know, for those of you who have known us through our adolescent years!) 

Big Brother - The sweetest thing I heard this week came from Whit's former Nanny.  When we shared the news with her (why not, as her husband will be the baby's pediatrician), she said "Oh, that will be so great for Whit."  This is something I fully agree with.  I think I mentioned before that I'm not one to make a decision without thinking of the effects on our entire family. Although this child surprised us by entering our lives a few months before they were planned, we still decided to have a baby in part for Whit.  He is such a caring and loving little guy.  He's going to make a great big brother and I feel so blessed to get to watch the relationship between him and his sibling(s).  Not only is Whit lucky to be getting a younger sibling to love and take care of, but this baby is lucky to be getting such a great Big Brother as we know Whit will be. 


Week 14 (September 1-7)

Baby - This week baby continues to learn new tricks.  He/She can swim around in the womb and even suck their thumb! Lanugo (that fine, dark hair that keeps baby warm) is beginning to grow and will soon cover his/her entire body.

Mama & Daddy - Or perhaps I should change this to "Mommy & Daddy" since Whit has taken to calling me "Mommy" more often.  I suppose the new baby will call me whatever Whit does. Nothing much going on here.  Mama feels so good now that the 1st trimester symptoms are behind me that sometimes I find it hard to believe that I am truly pregnant. Especially because I'm still (barely) able to button my pants!

Big Brother - This week Whit is learning to be more gentle with Mama.  No more tackling and using Mama as your personal jungle gym.  Not that I loved being climbed on before, but it's probably a good idea to use a little more caution now that my abdomen is filling up with Baby. 

Week 15 & 16 (September 8-14 and September 15-21)

Baby - Now that we are comfortably in the 2nd trimester, the baby is nearly fully formed and is working on getting bigger and stronger.  The baby is now able to make faces as he/she practices for those emotion discovery days that big brother is currently going through. The skin is still see-through and baby is still small enough to fit in the palm of our hands.

Mama & Daddy - The entire family traveled to DC this week (see more here) and both Mama and Daddy are feeling the effects.  I'm also still feeling the effects of pregnancy, working and taking care of an energetic 2 year old. Still, my energy level is creeping back up to pre-pregnancy levels and I'm hoping for continued smooth sailing throughout the 2nd trimester.  In other news, the baby bump has finally arrived.  Although I'm not quite able to fit into my maternity clothing, it probably won't be much longer.  The belly is not very big yet, but those who are in on the secret can definitely tell.  Everyone else is likely commenting (politely, behind closed doors) on how I've clearly been indulging in too many desserts lately! 

Big Brother - Big brother has finally figured out where the baby is!  When I ask him if the baby can have a kiss goodnight he toddles right over to my now slightly protruding belly and plants a kiss just below my belly button.  I'm sure the love won't last when the new baby is stealing away all of Mommy's time. Until then, I am attempting to spend as much one-on-one time with Whit as possible.  Play trucks? Absolutely.  Go outside? Sure!  Tackle? Well...maybe another time....

Week 17 & 18 (September 22-28 and September 29-October 5)

What? It's October already... and I'm nearly halfway through this pregnancy?  ....and I haven't told everyone yet? ....what is wrong with me?  Oh yeah, I like secrets and I don't love attention.

Baby - Baby is working on growing bigger.  Over the next 4 weeks Baby will more than double in size by depositing fat stores (yes, carbohydrates for dinner!) and will also begin to develop the vernix. Other news this week is that baby can now hear what is going on in the world around him or her and starts having sleep and waking cycles similar to that of a newborn.

Mama, Daddy & Big Brother - In a rare moment of alone time, not working, Whitfield asleep, Mama and Daddy sat on the couch and just spent time together.  As with Whit, as soon as Kirk began to speak, Baby started wiggling!  It's clear that although this baby is just as excited to hear Daddy talking, he or she most certainly does not have the non-stop "go" setting that Big Brother follows. Whit is finally recognizing what "kiss the baby" means although he has yet to conceptualize or verbalize outside of that endearing action.

Twice as nice - Part 1

Those of you who have been reading my blog posts recently could not have missed the love that has been floating around the Renegar house.  Is it any wonder that God chose this time in our lives, when we are so full of love, to bless us with another child?  It doesn't surprise me in the least.

If you know my history, you'll understand why I'm beginning this post on July 7th (yet again doing something other than celebrating the anniversary of my marriage to the best husband I could have) and you will not be reading it for several weeks or months. Still, I want to write as I'm experiencing rather than writing as I'm looking back as I did with Whit.

Keep in mind that it's hard to tell exactly where you are in pregnancy as all of the information is calculated in just a little bit of a different way.  Usually, you are considered X weeks when that week is completed, but if your baby was created a little later than "average" you could be several days behind.

Week 3 (June 16-22)

Baby - The embryo is going through a lot of basic growth with the beginning development of the brain, spinal cord, heart and gastrointestinal tract.  It's amazing how much is happening when the Mama doesn't even suspect she's having a baby!

Week 4 (June 23-29) Week 5 (June 30-July 6) 

Week 4 was completed around June 28th, just about the time that we headed home to VA for a long visit.  With all of the hustle and bustle, it would be several days before I realized that there was a possibility I might be pregnant.  Spoiler Alert: Surprise!! 

 Kirk, in all innocence asked me in casual conversation "Why, are you pregnant?" and my answer was "Yeah, I think so..."  What a way to break the news to your husband, right?  I wasn't sure, but I abhor lying, so I wasn't about to tell him "no" and have to change that a week later.

Baby - Arm and legs buds are visible, but not clearly distinguishable.  The heart is now beating!! The placenta has begun to form and there is movement of rudimentary blood through the main vessels. The baby (embryo) is 1/4 inch long by the end of week 5.


Week 6 (July 7-13)

So here we are at the start of week 6 as I begin this blog post.  I will most likely be updating weekly and publishing when we feel it's time to share the news with the world.  

We (mostly Kirk) put together Whit's big boy bunk beds on Thursday when we returned from VA.  The crib got relocated to our bedroom instead of the attic. It's a good thing because come March we're going to need it!  I already feel a kinship with this child as he or she is joining the family in the same way that I did.  My parents have often told me "You weren't a surprise, really... you just came a few months sooner than we planned."   I'm feeling quite good, no true pregnancy symptoms yet and a decent amount of energy.  I had a few days of tiredness as I cut the final bit of caffeine from my diet; something I started a month or so ago because I knew we were going to expand our family soon and it's not healthy to consume a lot of caffeine during pregnancy.  I think my energy level has been helped by my nearly daily run or walk which, again, I started so that I would be in better physical shape before and during my pregnancy.  I'm glad I started when I did! 

Baby - This week begins the formation of the lungs, jaw, nose and palate.  The hand and feet buds have webbed structures that will become fingers and toes. The brain continues to form and you might be able to get a heartbeat via ultrasound.  (we haven't even scheduled our first appointment, so I doubt that is happening!)

Big Brother - We have started asking Whit "... where is the baby?"  It is our intention to teach him this in the next 4 weeks so that he can be the one to share the news with our immediate family.  Tonight, the second time we've asked him, Whit replied "In the box!" and pointed to his toy box... not sure where that answer came from!

Mama - Mama is feeling so good it's hard to tell I'm actually pregnant. Of course, I don't remember having much morning sickness with Whit either so hopefully I can be as lucky this time. Obviously I am pregnant, those little pink lines don't lie, but I'm anxious to get to the midwife next week so that I can have someone other than a piece of plastic and cardboard tell me the news.

Looking Back - Here's a link to our 6, 8 and 10 week ultrasounds of Whit.  I doubt we will have as many this time around so enjoy!

Week 7 (July 14-20)

It's hard to believe that it's week 7 already! This week has been nerve wracking for me and not just because of baby.  It's been both very long and at the same time has passed quickly.  This week we met our potential care providers and are trying to make a decision, its both mine and Kirk's last week of school and our last real week home before school begins (hard to believe, right?)

Baby - At 7 weeks, every essential organ has begun to form.  The elbows and toes are more visible as the trunk begins to straighten out. The baby begins the seventh week about 4 mm and more than doubles in size by the end of the week. The brain continues to grow and brain waves are present.  Arms, legs, hands and feet become more distinguishable.

Big Brother - Whit is continuing on as normal this week, he's been very Mommy-centered which makes me wonder if he isn't more aware of what's going on with Mama than everyone else.

Mama - Morning sickness arrived this week.  It actually has not been too bad, I'm still running which is helping to stave of both fatigue and nausea.  Otherwise I'm feeling good and ready to be in the 2nd trimester! (still 6 or 7 more weeks to go!)

 Weeks 8, 9, 10 & 11 (July 21-August 17)

Baby - (8) The ears are continuing to form and everything that is present in an adult is present in the tiny embryo. The bones are forming and the muscles can contract.  The facial features mature and the eyelids develop.  Sometime in the next week spontaneous movement begins.(9) The baby is no longer an embryo and is now officially a fetus (meaning small one).  Many of the integral developmental stages are passed, all major systems are present although many are still developing and just beginning to function.  This week male or female sex organs are present although still much too small to see. (10) The biggest accomplishments this week are that the tail has disappeared (really just the end of the spinal cord) the eyes have fused shut and the heartbeat can be heard via handheld doppler. (11) This week the fingers and toes have completely separated, the taste buds are starting to develop and baby can stick out his or her tongue and swallow.

Big Brother - Whit is acting older every day.  His language continues to develop along with his physical and social skills. See more on this in my Wonderful Words series. Whit truly enjoyed his vacation weeks, first at the lake with the Brevard gang and then at Myrtle Beach with Nana, Papa and Uncle Eric (Ek-ick).  You can see more about that here.

Mama- I think these four weeks marked the pinnacle and beginning descent of morning sickness and fatigue for me.  I had a hard time hiding how I was feeling while on vacation and I'm not sure that I was successful.  But thankfully as I wrapped up week 10 I began having a little more energy and a little less nausea. My biggest pregnancy symptom?  I'm craving meat! I managed to get through all of my pregnancy with Whit and a couple of years nursing him without adding animals back to my diet. Not this time.  This baby wants protein and some days I wander around the kitchen searching for something, anything other than what my heart is telling me I really want.... A big steak or a nice ham biscuit! I've been able to substitute eggs, beans and nuts often, but the other day I craved and added a stack of ham to my mac and cheese.

....and then reality kicks you in the stomach

I'm not sure if this feeling is unique to me or if it is universal among parents.

As a little girl I often thought about being a mother.  I'm sure the majority of young girls spend countless hours playing dolls, house, etc. I surely was among them. I can recall being a teenager and talking with my friends about having kids and watching all of those TLC baby shows on the weekends with my own mother. (thanks, TLC, for the complete lack of reality about how childbirth really goes...)  I can even recall one very hazy memory my freshman year of college when I told my mother that it didn't matter what sort of career I had because all I ever really wanted to be was a Mom.

Prior to getting married Kirk and I discussed having children, the when, the how many... you know how those discussions go.  And when we had our first, and then our second heartbreaking experience the idea of being a mother seemed so very far away.  When we conceived Whit  I was hesitant to tell anyone that we were expecting and I scarcely let myself believe that I was pregnant.  The entire time it seemed as though I was pretending.  Yet my belly grew bigger and about the time the fact that I actually had a child inside of me became a reality, it was time for him to enter the world.  Those first few weeks operating on little to no sleep made the experience seem like a dream.  As Whit got older people would comment on how cute he was.  I would agree and then wonder to myself when his parents were going to show up to get him.

When my students ask if and when I want more children, I shrug, struggling to accept the fact that I have "children" at all.  Wow! I have "a child."  That must make me a grown up.  So why do I still feel like I'm 18, or even 21, and I'm playing pretend with someone else's kid?

Now that Whit is nearly 2 1/2 years old the reality is finally beginning to set in.  Still, I have moments, especially when I am away from Whit and speaking of him to friends or students, that it all seems made up.

The other night I experienced a bit of a revelation.  It was about 2 am and I was wedged in bed with Kirk on one side of me and Whit on the other (with his feet in my face).  About that time reality kicked me in the stomach. 

I had better come to terms with being Whit's mom because I'm about to become a mother of two!!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Jet Setter

If you'll remember back a few months ago, Kirk and I were amazed by how well our then 23 month old child traveled 18+ hours to Anchorage, Alaska and back in less than a week. 

Perhaps it's turning out that Whit is just an expert traveler.  This past weekend we took our first LONG car ride to Woodbridge, VA (Just 15 miles outside of Washington, DC).  Kirk's post-graduate roomate was getting married and it wasn't something we were going to miss. As our last family visit with Hunter and his yet-to-be-fiance occurred before Whit was even conceived, he obviously needed to come along for the ride.

I'll give Nanny Christine some credit here for being a champion nap adjuster keeping Whit up just long enough for us to get him into the car for a wonderful 2 hour nap that began just 10 minutes into the trip.  After a short wakeful period for dinner and some running around it was back in the car for bedtime and the remainder of the 6 hour trip (without stops!)

Granted, we had a few hiccups with nap time (it's just so much fun to play with all of the 20 and 30 something childless adults, they have so much energy) but overall Whit was a trooper the entire weekend.

We had some fun playing with the dog. (sorry, no pictures!)

We saw the sights in the capital....

Including a visit to the transportation section of the Museum of US History.


And we finally came out of our shell the last 10 minutes before we left the wedding reception and got a few good dance moves in.









All in all, I think Whit's favorite part of seeing our Nation's Capital was the opportunity to point out countless busses, firetrucks, ambulances, helicopters and airplanes.  A little boy's dream!


Friday, August 31, 2012

Catch Phrase

Another post in the Wonderful Words series.

Yet again Whit's linguistic development continues to amaze me.  He's putting together sentences and has a few phrases that are just too funny not to share.

Some things that Whit says that crack us up:

"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I play mini-golf"
"You gotta be kidding me!"

"I LOVE _____"    The  blank is often filled with "baseball" or "Sarah"
"Up and Adam!"    Yelled with his hands 'cupping' his mouth after he tells you to "Be asleep!"  

 Two things that remind me of stories I've heard about my sister for as long as I can remember: 

"Whas that?" This is slowly changing to, with indignation, "What IS that?"
"Hey Babe" or "Honey" As he calls up the steps for me...      

These can be the most frustrating phrases as they are often relayed as an order: 

"I eat" 
"I have" 
"I do" 
"I wake" 

It is still interesting to see at what times these orders come out.  The other day Whit said to me "No, Mom, I have it." I cannot even recall what he was "having" but I do know that this particular phrase resulted in a very serious conversation between us.


Friday, August 24, 2012

Catching Up

Can it be true that my last blog post was over a month ago?

I suppose so as we went back to school a few weeks ago and the days are just slipping away from me.  Nothing says "August" better than starting school.

I had such grand plans for the summer, most of which went by the wayside when I decided to complete 9 hours of graduate work toward my Master's of Education and teacher licensing.  Although I still have one involved assignment left, I can say that I'm truly looking forward to a year in which I can use my plan to actually plan instead of do homework and a semester that should be significantly easier for me to teach than last year was.

Speaking of school, Whit began Mother's Day Out/Pre-school this week.  I can hardly believe he his big enough to use the word "pre-school!"  With the amazing transition he's had this week back to full-time Nanny care, I can only say that he's ready.  Every day this week as Mom and Dad trudged off to school with sleepy eyes and sad hearts, Whit ran into Nanny Christine's house to see his pseudo big brothers with no tears and a cheerful "Bye Mom, by Dad."  More to come on the first weeks of school.

I can't say that the summer was a total loss as we spent nearly a month on "vacation."  It was good to bookend our summer with first a trip to Alaska to see my parents and then a trip to the beach to visit with the  Renegar family.  Still, all of the school work, vacationing and preparation to go back to school again has left me in what feels like a constant state of catching up.

Catch up on sleep, catch up on laundry, catch up on housework, catch up with friends and family.... catch up with blogging....

I am a creature of habit and I know once I adjust back to the school schedule I will feel much better.  Sometimes I think that Whit is the same and other times he seems to just go right along with whatever is happening, so perhaps his need for a schedule is completely (or in part) imposed by my needs.

I'm including some summer photos from the last few weeks in this blog but look for more to come as I finally get all of my thoughts down from our busy busy summer!