These Days

 We have hit the terrible two's full throttle.  We have days when she is sweet as pie and well, others... lets just say that I understand the term now.  A friend of mine tried to encourage me by saying that every child goes through this period and that around age 3 1/2 it wears off.  Oh gee, swell.  Just one more year to go.  

Since the weather wasn't so favorable this weekend we took the children and the double stroller to walk around the mall.  We found ourselves in Sears of all places when we became those parents.  You know the ones.  The ones blankly staring at each other as their child, who has clearly lost her ever-loving mind, is uncontrollably screaming at the top of her lungs.  

She had every right too.  I told her we were not buying the riding lawn mower.  

The four of us went to the USC baseball game season opener Friday afternoon.  We had a blast letting Lucy Mills and McClain run around the stadium, eat hot dogs, and chase after Cocky.  The American dream is a beautiful thing.   

I am married to the greatest man.  

He adores his children and immerses himself in their world entirely.  He gently teaches them, plays with them, corrects them, cares for them, sings to them, and enjoys them.  What a gift this man is to our family.  

With each new morning I have been waking early to sip my inviting cup of coffee and read Jesus Calling.  I highly recommend this beautiful devotional.  As I scan the written words, page after page, I am in awe of what seems are God's love letters to me and only me.  

His mercies are new each morning.  Even when dealing with the terrible two's. 

Be Still My Heart

My sweet boy McClain, who would have ever thought I could love a little guy as much as I love you??  I think it's a mutual adoration we share for one another because you certainly have eyes {and snuggles and kisses} for Mommy.  

You love to be outside, and the dirtier you get the happier you are.  You discovered the potting soil for my flower pots on the side of the house and you are a magnet to the black soil.  I remember how your sister would cry if she got her hands dirty. . . not the case with you my buddy.  You would roll around naked in the griminess if I let you. 

It amazes me how inborn your ability is to flirt with pretty girls.  When one looks your way and begins to talk to you, you bury your blushing, red cheeks in my neck only to cut your eyes in her direction and flash a mischievous grin afterwards.  You love the ladies and the ladies love you. 

You never miss a chance to address anyone and everyone who passes you by.  You wave and say "eeeyyyyy!!" {heyyy}

You and Lucy Mills love to play chase.  As soon as I announce that "Mommy is going to get you," you run straight into my arms, rather than darting away, and collapse your little body against mine.   

McClain, you are now 14 months old. You have been going to sleep on your own with little to no fuss since you entered the world.  For the past two weeks I have started snuggling you before bed and rocking you to sleep at night.   I trace your forehead and ear with my fingertips and watch your lids flutter until you surrender to dreamland.  

As I approached your class at the end of CBS one Thursday I heard a woman repeatedly asking, "where is McClain's mom?" She made her way in my direction and asked me the question again to which I replied "that depends, what did he do?" She had volunteered in the babies class that morning and apparently you charmed her.  She went on and on about what a precious child you are which melted my mama heart to the core.  Now whenever I see her in the halls she asks "how's our McClain doing?"
He is doing wonderful. 

Love you SuperBuddy. 

Happy Hearts Day

Hi

On a daily basis I have been asking in my most excited, super-fun mommy voice if Sweet Girl would like to use the big girl potty and get a treat.  To which she regularly replies "I not use da big girl pottyyyy!" Well wouldn't you know that as I return to pick her up from the nursery after church, Lucy Mills along with all three teachers, exclaim "Mom, guess who sat on and USED the big girl potty?!" 

She hasn't done it for me since...

He can say "ba ba" (bottle), "dada," cup, "cacker" (cracker), and "Gee" for Suggie but not mama.  Really buddy? 

He says it with his eyes though. :) 

I know he does. 

Sweet girl likes rap music.  Whenever she rides in the car with Daddy she asks him to play Ice Ice Baby. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. 

I take comfort that when she rides with Mommy she asks for Holy, Holy.  {aka: children's bible songs}

I guess I'm hoping that the good will outweigh Marky Mark in the long run. 

One month into 2012 and I already get the mom of the year award.  McClain had his first ear infection and I waited a few days to take him to the pediatrician.  The only symptom he had was a nasty cough and Lucy Mills' ears have never been an issue, so I wasn't eager to pay the co-pay have him seen. Thank God for meds to get my Superbuddy back to normal.  

As the not-so-sweet sibling moments occur, I encouraged LM to be sweet to her brother especially since he wasn't feeling well.  She came back with "yeah, McQuain not feel gud...he might frow up." No sweetheart that was last month.  It's his ear this time.  Summertime are you close? 

Lucy Mills points to McClain's curls and says that he has piggytails.

Oh my sweet babes.  What filled my days before you? Nothing as worthwhile as you two. 

What's on Her Heart

Won't my mama be so proud of me are the words I hear my two year old singing over and over (and over) as she plays in her own little world, with The Bumble Bee Song lyrics dancing through her mind.  

Yes my love, your mama is so proud of you. 

Mama, where did baby Jesus go? she asks as her inquisitive mind notices the neighbor's Christmas nativity scene no longer decorates their front yard.  When I explained that the manger scene was packed up after the holiday, she sits quiet for a moment only to respond with Baby Jesus lives in our heart mama.  

I get a pop for being disobeeedient she proudly states as Daddy walks through the front door after what I'm sure was a long day for us both.  Clearly I need to reevaluate my game plan if pops are a bragging point for her.  

I need to go find him are the words she shrieks when McClain is hiding from his buddy during one of their games of follow you {a combo of chase and hide-and-go seek}.  

By far my favorite is when she speaks I need a hug, kiss, squeeze Mama whenever we part ways - either at the nursery or at naps.  We don't lose our grip without her innocent voice mumbling the words I never want to live without.  I can just see me dropping her off somewhere during her teenage years, rolling down the car window, exclaiming Lucy Mills, I need a hug, kiss, squeeze! Won't she be the popular gal? 

Updates from my iphone

Snapshots from life lately:

1.) Over Thanksgiving weekend we spent the night at my dad's house.  Lucy Mills and Anna Heath loved having a pajama picnic for breakfast one morning.

2.) Also taken over Thanksgiving weekend, Trav and I at the Clemson/Carolina game. 

3.) Our new favorite afternoon activity - going to the park to swing. Lucy Mills loves to push McClain. 

4.) PopPop took LM for a ride on the merry-go-round at the local mall.  She loved every minute. I think he did too. 

5.) Watching Saturday morning movies in their own chairs.  

{Thank you Grandmother and Grandaddy!}

6.) Gotta love the matching Christmas jammies.  And the organization of mommy's kitchen cabinet going on. 

7.) - 9.) This was the first year that we went to see Santa.  There was no line at the mall and both kids were not scared of him one bit.  Lucy Mills tried to pull on his beard and he said not to do that, so she looked away.  Once McClain had enough, I let Lucy Mills sit by herself for a second.  Santa pulled out a Frosty the Snowman book and they thumbed through it a bit.  It was a sweet visit with jolly ol' guy. 

10.) Sweet girls latest obsession: "yipticks" (chapstick if you will)

11.) Jumping for joy on the bed on Christmas morning.

12.) McClain sporting his new polo vest from Uncle Daniel on Christmas.  Does he not look so grown up in this?

I love that my cell phone can capture these day in and day out moments! 

A Look Back

Let's travel down memory lane to remember the highlights of 2011. 

:: January ::

We adjusted to life with a 15 month old and a newborn. 

I celebrated turning 30 with my sweet husband who whisked me out of town for a fun night away. 

:: February ::

We were home.  A lot.  It snowed some, we were sick, we stayed inside.  End of story. 

:: March ::

We enjoyed storytime at the library, MyGym classes, and daddy being home on the weekends again. 

:: April ::

Trav turned 40 and we celebrated with a surprise day on the lake. 

Springtime was finally here! 

I had another round of health issues to deal with.  I underwent a kidney procedure that month, and thankfully have been healthy since. 

:: May ::

We realized that Sweet Girl needed glasses to correct the straightness of her eyes. 

McClain was presented during the baby dedication service at our church. 

:: June ::

I went to visit my sister on a weekend getaway. It was a special time for me. 

Our neighborhood pool became our saving grace during the summertime heat. 

:: July ::

We soaked up the rays at the beach in July. 

:: August ::

Lucy Mills turned 2 and we celebrated with a Princess Party. 

:: September ::

One of our favorite times of the year - fall weather and football season! 

The kids and I {and Suggie too!} started going to a weekly bible study, CBS.  We love, love it! 

:: October ::

McClain sported his new hat,

and Lucy Mills dressed up as a cute 50's gal.

:: November ::

Lucy Mills underwent eye surgery to correct the alignment in both of her eyes.  God was so faithful and her eyes look beautiful. 

:: December ::

The sweetest little boy in the world turned 1.

It was a year of blessings, of tough decisions, of joys, and of thankfulness for bringing us through it all.  I pray that this year we will serve the Lord more than ever; and that we will develop hearts to serve others more than ourselves. 
Happy 2012!!!!