Thursday, September 3, 2009

Emotional

That's not unusual for me, I'm very emotional, always have been, always will. But for some reason, the tears won't stop rolling down my face as I type this. It's silly, really, for you see, my little Brady Bear just continues to grow and grow and this Mama isn't really ready for that.

Tonight is a big night in our house. For tonight the magical fairy named "Pacifier Fairy" is coming to our house. Yes, it's true, up until August 19th, Brady was still using a pacifier. Over the past year Mike and I have talked about just when we should "make" him give up his pacifier. There was never a good time, something BIG was always just around the corner like a move, a baby sister, etc.. But, on August 19th, something happened and Brady decided that he was done with his "ooeeies" as he has called it since mid-2007 (prior to ooeeies, it was known as "uh-oh").

And that was the end of it. Just like that. I asked him what he wanted to do with them, and he was happy to just put them in Mama's drawer. So that's what we did. For the past 3 years and 7 months, that green little pacifier was a big part of his life, my life, our life. It's silly I know but so many funny memories and pictures that tug at my heartstrings are ones with the green soothie pacifier stuck in his mouth. Lovey's are a big part of both of our babies lives here and I'm so thankful for them. Thankful for calming their fears, soothing their pain, quieting their tears.

Mike and I wanted to reward Brady for this accomplishment. He knew about "The Pacifier Fairy" who, if he wanted too, would come and take his pacifiers away to give to other children who really needed them, and in return a surprise would be left for him. Tonight, he decided that it was time. Time to send his beloved green ooeeies away for good. We wrote the fairy a note and this is what it said:

Dear Pacifier Fairy,
I want you to pick up my ooeeies so I can have a surpirse.
I loved doing funny things with my ooeeies like putting two in my mouth.
I made this green picture for you like ooeeies is green.
I'm going to miss them a lot. I loved my ooeeies.
Love Brady.


The note

Sitting outside his door, waiting for the Fairy to come tonight.

One last pic with them. I asked him to put one in his mouth and he said "no"

This whole pacifier thing taught me a lesson that I guess I've been learning for the last 3 + years, something that my Mom has always said, "they'll do it when they are ready". Whatever that "it" is, potty training, sleeping through the night, sucking their thumb, and in our case, getting rid of a pacifier. Maybe it takes some kids longer than others but they'll do it and until then, don't bother them or fuss with them over whatever "it" is. What's the sense if having all the drama and tears. Just let them be little. Thanks to my Mama for always gently reminding me of this.

So, goodnight little ooeeies. Thanks for the memories. The good, the not so good and everything in between. And goodnight big boy, Mama loves you more than you'll ever know.

Tomorrow is a new day and a surprise awaits. It's a big one, I tell ya. You deserve it kiddo. I hope this "surprise" will provide you (and your little buddies) hours and hours of big belly laughs. Stay tuned....


Week in review

Wow, it's been one week since I have posted anything! The last week was one of the busiest weeks we've had all summer long. Since Mike's deployment has been cancelled, our calendar is filling up with all kinds of fun things like weddings we thought we couldn't go to, Penn State football games, birthday parties and festivals, not to mention all the exciting activities that will go along with Brady going to preschool (he starts on Tuesday!) Here are some pictures from some of the things that have been keeping us busy. What's keeping you busy these days? (warning: lots of pictures below!)

Swimming at the Kettering Rec Center



This is the life!

We went to
Carriage Hill Metro Park with our friends, Jen, Katie and Daniel. What a gorgeous place. We can't wait to go back!

Saturday was a busy day. I donated blood in the morning for the Light the Night walk on October 1st that I am participating in. Then we went to the 2nd Street Public Market (part of the MetroPark system here) in downtown Dayton, and then to another Metro Park, Riverscape, to take a paddle boat ride. Brady also wanted to play in the fountains which I was not prepared for so he ran through in his shorts and then used Mike's tshirt as a "towel"

On Sunday, we spent the afternoon and evening celebrating our sweet friend Brianna Allard's 7th Birthday, Mike and I have been to all of Brianna's birthday's since she was 2 years old. She means the world to us. Lots of laughter and yummy food! Thank you Mark and Gisela for hosting all of us for dinner, our military "family".
And just a few cute shots of Mia Allard
Another busy weekend ahead with a wedding, a birthday party and my parents and sister arriving! And then, the big day, Brady's first day of preschool. Stay tuned! Happy LOOOONG WEEKEND!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Love affair

between these two. I'll enjoy it while it lasts. And hope and pray that they always have a special bond full of laughter and happiness.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Like I said

she's trouble, with a capital T

She didn't take an afternoon nap on Tuesday so I thought for sure by 7:30p she would be out like a light. I put her down and 20 minutes later she's still entertaining herself in her crib. So I go in to see what all the shrieking (in delight) was all about. And this is what I see:

Her pacifier had been thrown overboard and she was screeching at it. She threw it over two more times before finally calling it a night. Let the games begin.

Oh we got trouble, right here in Dayton city. (anyone besides Catherine know what song I am referencing? Anyone?)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ten on Tuesday: The very wordy, lots of pictures edition

1. Brady is starting preschool two weeks from today! September 8th. He'll just go two mornings a week, Tuesday/Thursday from 8:30-11am. He will be going to St. Brigid, the catholic school in our area. It will be good for ALL of us, right? Yesterday his teacher invited us to come to the classroom to look around and play. He LOVED it. We found his locker and played with trucks and the kitchen. We checked out the bathroom, the water fountain, the cafeteria (where they will have snack) and the library. His teacher, Ms. Kim, is just, of course, the perfect preschool teacher and Brady seems to really like her. The parents are allowed to stay for the first day of school so we can see what they do in a typical day. Maybe that will help ease the tears that are sure to come from this Mama. Tears are normal right?

We found his locker, see the green apple with his name on it. Locker #9. The other apples are for the older children who come on different days/times.
The classroom is *almost* ready, still some boxes to unapck and decorations to hang according to Ms. Kim

Such a bright, warm room.
2. I'm really *proud* of a few of my gardening efforts this year. I didn't seem to get my Mom or Grammy's green thumb, I've killed several flowers this year. However two plants, that everyone said are so hard to grow, seem to be thriving under my care. LOL

This is a plumeria plant, the kind of flowers they use to make Hawaiian lei's. I started growing it in early June and I am so happy to have 12 soon to be blooms. Two as you can see are blooming now. When I first planted it, it was just a stick with no leaves on it!

This is called "Elephant Ear" and I am IN LOVE with this plant. Look at those massive leaves. Brady adores this plant and Mike even commented on it, out of the blue, he called it "awesome" which is quite the compliment from Mike. I'm sad that we won't be in this house next year to see it come back, I imagine next year it will double in size. I'll have to plant on in Maryland if we have the right "conditions" for it.

3. This girl is trouble with a capital T. In the past few days she has pulled over 4 lamps. Seems to be her trademark, as she pulled over a lamp at our friends house about two weeks ago.

4. Yesterday, for the first time, she pulled herself up into a standing position. My camera was sitting right next to me when she did it which was lucky! Glad to have caught the true "first" time on film.

5. Mike and I went to see Harry Potter on Friday night and we both loved it. Our favorite HP movie of the 6 so far.

6. Talked to the lady that is going to be our realtor in Maryland. When I told her what we were looking for and our price range I think I actually heard her chuckle like "yeah right sweetie" We are in for some major sticker shock.

7. Brady (thankfully) is really loving Lucy these days. Now that she crawls, stands and really plays with toys, I guess he is starting to see her as a little friend. I took these pics this morning with my little camera and although they are not great, I'm glad to have them. She is giving him this huge wet slobbery kisses in many of them.


8. I still have so many things I want to post here on the blog but can never seem to find the time.

9. Wishing I could go to the beach.

10. At the time of the original post I said that we weren't sure what was going on with Mike's deployment but in the last few hours everything has become clear and the deployment was CANCELLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great way to end a 10 on Tuesday!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Sunday, August 16, 2009

For a laugh

Another first for Lucy....

Chocolate.

Better yet, a chocolate covered frozen banana.
That's our dear friend Gisela who's very white shirt ended up with a chocolate mess all over it.

And here is Mia, Gisela's and Mark's daughter, 11 months yesterday, enjoying her frozen treat.

Love these girls. And they certainly loved their treats. You think?

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