Yay Colin!!!

Last night, Colin received his white belt w/yellow tip at Tae Kwon Do!  I am so proud of him.  He did so well that he also got a medallion (that he loves and will not let out of his site).  This is him with Master JK. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

 The B Family

A Blossoming Personality

I started this before my trip but forgot to post it.  I was in Germany for two weeks (stay tuned for blogs about those trips on my other blog) and it was the longest I have been away from Mae.  Definitely challenging but I am so fortunate to have an wonderful partner who can pull double duty while I am away. 

Mae will be 9 months on the 10th of this month.  Before I left she was doing some cute new things...like:

• When trying to feed her she shakes her head no, then aggressively puts her hands down on the highchair tray and moves forward with her mouth wide open ready for the bite.
• Says "da da" with the cutest tone. So sweet sounding. Says "ma ma" very demanding like.  Usually when she is upset...like "Maaa Maaaa"  but "da d"a is so gentle sounding and sweet...like "dah dah". Very softly.  Yes, a little jealous here!
• Her new favorite toy is her green wicker laundry basket..and colin's cars.

She has changed so much in two weeks.  Now she is:

• Standing on her own pretty well.  She likes to work on her balance.  She will grab at our hands then get herself balanced and then let go.  She reaches for us when she needs help with adjusting her balance. 
• She is playing differently with us.  She likes to be a little rough and is kind of aggressive with her toys. 
• She discovered her standing table that was Colin's.  She loves it. 

• She also loves her piano. 

• She has 6 teeth now.
• She is getting a little frustrated.  She can get around when she wants to but has not gotten a hang of the full on crawling. She is really close but does more of an army crawl instead of getting her bottom in the air.  It probably does not help that we have wood floors.  She slips and slides.

She has changed so much.  Parts of her personality are really starting to show.  I think she is going to be very head strong but sweet and cuddly as well. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Colin conquers Superman

The other night Colin and I went to a friend's birthday party (AA it was a blast!!!)... Colin as you may know is super outgoing but a little timid with trying new things.  I am so proud of my little boy.  The place we went to has several of the blow up jumping castle type things...not sure what you call them. If you do not know what I mean, see pictures below.  Colin freaked a little bit at the beginning and ended up crying - but I coaxed him into the baby one (Dora & Diego) and we played for a bit.  He was walking so slowly.  I finally nudged him a little - well OK I pushed him (gently), but just to show him that it would not hurt to fall.  Then he started jumping all over the place.  He LOVED it!  So, then we tackled the next step up (Spongebob) which actually had the fastest slide and I hit my legs straight on the wall (it hurt a bit) but Colin did it without crying!!! By the end of the night he was going down the Superman (the biggest) slide which was the biggest, scariest one all by himself.  He was all over the place and just loved it.  Mama of course had to do all of them with him at least once, which was fun...besides being in work clothes.

The Superman.  You go in between his legs and there is a maze and then you end up at the slide.

OK, some Colin cuteness.  Things that make me say, "aww...that's my boy".

• Since my eye surgery Colin asks me each day if my eyes hurt and if I need the lights turned off.  He actually gets on to Will for having the dining room light on during dinner.
• Colin asked me if he could recycle his trash - awww!!!
• He lays in bed and talks to himself...visions of me as a kid.  He is telling his animals stories.
• Once he learns that something has a specific place that it is supposed to go he is a stickler about it.  I love this especially when it comes to my fridge. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

I do not even know him

I know that I do not even know this boy, but he has just touched my heart...I thought I should update you all on Tripp.  He has gone to heaven.  Here is his amazing mom's blog http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/2012/01/heavens-little-drummer-boy.html.  I know it is a sad article but her words are beautiful.  Please continue to pray for his family.  Thankfully his pain is gone but theirs' will remain.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Han Solo does not use a lightsaber!

Colin has recently shown an interest in Star Wars which has Will just a little excited (only a little).  Being boys they share a few common interest.  Of course.  Colin has happened onto a few of Will's that are pretty significant likes (or at least when he was younger that he still feels strongly about) like comics, Star Wars and superheroes.  So, when Colin puts his cute little kids spin on things it can be hilarious watching Will struggling with letting Colin be creative and correcting him on calling The Incredible Hulk - Hulky. Some recent ones are:

• Colin calls a Star Wars xbox game: Star Wars the Car Wars - we have no idea why
• He calls Chewbaca - Chewbaca the Chewey or King Chewey
• He likes to make superheroes fly who do not have the flying capabilities
• Oh and a big one he gave Hans Solo a lightsaber to play with - big no no.

Colin has also started playing video games with Will (not too often but as a treat for 30 minutes or so on the weekend).  He is actually pretty good.

Colin's new phrase is "because he is 4".  He says things like:

• "I do not have to because I am 4"
• " I should get two treats because I am 4"
• "I take care of Mae because I am 4"

Because I am 4, because I am 4, because I am 4.  I may scream at him!  No not really.  I did say (when he said no because I am 4) that I do not care that he is 4, he DOES NOT say "no" to me. 

Now Colin is obsessed with asking when you go to the potty room whether you are going 1 or 2.  It can be a bit embarrassing. Especially in the store.

Colin has been working on his ABC's  (he knows the songs but actually writing them) after dinner each night.  We focus on one letter a week.  This week is "S".  We have him practice write it and then we also come up with words that start with it.  He actually has been enjoying it.  For Tae Kwon Doe we are working on counting to 10 in Korean. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Please Pray for baby Tripp

My heart truly aches for this mama http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/.  I have shared some post about some of the ladies I follow whose kids have EB.  This is a new one (that I saw from one of the other lady's blog) and it does not look like her precious little Tripp will be blessing this earth much longer.  Looking at the pictures, I just ball my eyes out.  As a mom...as a human being I just cannot imagine going through this.  I pray for her and her family and baby Tripp who is in a lot of pain.  I pray that his remaining time is pain free and peaceful.  Please pray for this family and their precious little gift from God. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Happy Birthday, Grandma Liz!!

I thought that I had posted this on the 10th (I am blaming all my medication)...so sorry Liz that this is late.

Today I would like to make a BIG shout out to my mother-in-law Liz - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  I am a very lucky girl.  I truly have the most amazing, sweet and loving second mom that I could ever hope for.  Colin and Mae are very lucky to have such a fabulous Grandma as well.  So, happy birthday!  I hope your day is filled with many happy memories to cherish in the years to come.  We love you!!!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Is it some kind of non-girlie penance???

For some reason (who knows why) I have become super girlie since Meli's arrival.  Before she was born, I was like "no pink" but then as her arrival inched closer and closer pink items trickled in (that I purchased) and then she shows up and it was an explosion of pink...and bows...and ribbon...and even taffeta or whatever it is called.  What the hell happened?!?  Now, this still only pertains to Mae.  I am not walking around in bows and whatever else, but over the years I have fancied dresses and skirts more - but I feel that I still put a little Christina's tomboyish flair to it. 

A little history: Growing up I was a major tomboy.  My room was sports...well and the pink bunnies my poor mama attempted to decorate my room with until I had a meltdown and got my football decor.  Poor mom - I really am sorry.  I played sports, my friends were mostly all guys with a few exceptions (until the end of grade school).  My dream was to be the first female football player for the Dallas Cowboys. Obviously, that did not happen.  Slowly, girlie things crept in but it was never a full turnaround.  In my early 20's I even got called "butch" by a homosexual friend.  He told me this in a bar as I was drinking a Guinness from the bottle with my legs spread out relaxing like one of the guys.  I think that was my wake up call to make my way over to the other side...at least a little more. I have put forth an effort. I do love jewelry, clothes, dresses, shoes, even purses now but it still manages to be different somehow.  Maybe it is more my attitude and mannerisms.  I love wine but I will not give up the dark beer!!

Poor Mae though.  Will laughs at me when I put these huge bows on her but I think they are super cute. He even asked me what happened to me when we were at this store that was all about bows.  He turned to me and was like, "I do not even know who you are right now". I also love the pink and purple outfits for babies...now this is for babies - when I walk to the older girl section I hate all of the pink and all of the hearts (I hate hearts with a passion - I even hate Valentine's Day because of the hearts and the combination of pink and red - horrible).  So, I know that this will just be a phase that I go through with my little baby girl.  BUT what if she does turn out super girlie and wants all that stuff?!?!  When I walk down the girl toy aisle I freak. I can feel the tension starting.  I did not play with those things and am at a complete loss. 

This is going to be fun...

Hello from the land of codeine and eye drops

I am typing this with one eye closed since my left eye cannot stand looking at anything bright.  So, I had iLasik on my right eye a couple of weeks ago and it is doing fine.  I am seeing 20/20 far away.  I was not able to see up close at first but that is starting to clear up.  On Friday, I had my left eye done but I had PRK.  Not as fun...at all.  With iLasik the procedure can be a little uncomfortable but after the first day there is really no pain.  Just waiting for the vision to get fixed and any healing to take place.  No problem.  PRK is a whole different ballgame because they take off the top layer instead of creating the flap.  The procedure is actually easier because they take out the part that creates the flap which is the worst part of the procedure.  So, the procedure was a breeze.  It was funny anytime one of the doctors or technicians saw that I was doing PRK they all had the same tone and expression.  The pity tone and look.  They end up putting a contact that works as a band-aide for my missing top layer.  I will admit it hurt afterwards.  Plus, I have the constant feeling that there is foreign object in my eye that I cannot do anything about.  At least the nice doctors gave me Tylenol with codeine, Valium, another medication with something that works like codeine, and then more eye drops then I know what to do with...but one is for pain - I like that one.  Will has been my little doctor.  He puts all my eye drops in and makes sure I take my pills.

Now that I have the house to myself, I am doing a Audrey Hepburn marathon. I am on Breakfast at Tiffany's now. I have already watched Sabrina and Charade.  I just love her.  I am one of the mega fans that actually watches her movies.  I feel bad for actors like Audrey and Marilyn who have fans who just like them because it is the cool thing to do...wear the shirts, purses, buy the photos but never have seen a movie and so cannot truly appreciate the art of both gems...Sorry off topic and that may be the codeine talking.

My look for the week

Will has been saying that he is living with a vampire.  Any light really bothers me.  While my eye heals I either have to wear these goggles are these huge sunglasses.  So, anytime there is a light on or the sunlight is coming through the window I have my sunglasses on.  I have also been following behind Will and closing any curtains or blinds he opens. Poor him.  I am the healing mismatch, Bellatrix Lestrange hair, vampire mama.  I am probably scaring the kids. 

Well, hopefully soon my light sensitivity will be gone so I can stand going back to work.  I know my vision will not be good yet.  The doctor said that the first week is for my eye to make a new top layer, then after that the swelling will go down and the vision will start to improve.  At about 6 months the two different procedures (iLasik & PRK) reach the same point in the healing/vision process. 
OK, I probably should go...time for my medication to kick in so I can fall asleep and dream of Tiffany's and New York in the 1960's....

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Our little goober is 8 months!

Meli is 8 months on the 10th.  Let's see...she is:

• clapping louder & stronger
• still waving like a princess
• playing with books more
• trying to play with Colin
• needing to know where Colin is at all times
• saying "ma-ma"
• enjoying her next steps in baby food (chicken noodle, mac & cheese - mushed up of course)
• scooting on her tooshie
• trying to get in the splits position
• standing on her own (not for too long)
• taking steps when assisted
• touching and exploring everything she can
• being the most precious little girl
• Baby girl has 4 teeth

We just love her to pieces. Cannot believe I will have to be away from her and Colin soon for a trip. 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family