Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pray.

We had a very nice Christmas, but didn't take very many pictures. Moving on...

One day we were sitting down to dinner and James was being extra difficult. In order to help him focus on eating his food, I grabbed his hand and said, "let's say a prayer." On the spot, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "thank you God for this food. AMEN." That has been the prayer we have said ever since followed by a rousing "LET'S EAT!" by James and his dad. Of course James wants to say it every time we sit down for anything, dinner, breakfast, snacks. So, I am looking for some new ones. I know a lot of the little kids learn some good ones at their schools or churches, so I am asking for you to share your favorites. Thanks!

And yes, after the Lord's prayer at the Christmas Eve service James exclaimed "Let's Eat!" after the AMEN.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Only Andy

Oohhh, so much I should be doing right now, but I try to post something new once a week. Things have been hard because Andy was sick, then James, now Andy again, and I totally think James is going to get sick again! Anyways, here is a collection of pictures from the past couple of months of only Andy.

The first time he was in his excersaucer. The NP said that he might be crying most of the day because he was "really smart" and we should put him in this. Yeahhh, whatever.

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Working on sitting up:
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Starting solid foods. It is hit or miss at this point.

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Sort of standing up...and hanging on for dear life!

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At his 6 month appointment he was a little over 19 pounds and was 28 inches long. Didn't get any shots because he apparently had an ear infection. I was going to do that this week, but alas, another ear infection. Apparently, he is one of THOSE kids.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Monday, December 8, 2008

Trees and hills

When we lived in Dallas, I told people I couldn't wait to live in a place with "trees and hills". As I was raking the leaves from the trees up the hill, I couldn't help but wonder what the heck I was talking about. It is a new experience, that is for sure.

James loved it. He is ready to get to work with his rake and his bunny.
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How do kids know exactly what they are suppose to do in a pile of leaves?
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Ok, James didn't really care. He'll jump in the ivy.
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Running through Daddy's well raked rows.
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Poor Andy is too little. Maybe next year!
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Green Paci Cookies

Sometimes you come up with something that makes you thing that maybe, just maybe, I might be a good mommy.

James loves his paci. It was a good thing for us because James was ehem, a difficult baby, and had a very hard time teething. The paci really helped with us. Our pediatrican is very pro-paci, so everytime we talked about getting rid of it, he would talk us back into it.

By waiting so long, you have a few options in getting rid of the paci. Sure, you can just get rid of it, but it is a little easier if there is something you can tell your child. I just didn't think any of the traditional method would work for James. I just didn't think he would understand the paci fairy, and he can't give his paci to a baby, because we have a baby, and he doesn't take a paci. (ugh, that is another post) The one thing about James...he can eat! and he loves sweets! So, I came up with the idea to use the paci to make cookies.

James actually had 3 pacis: red paci, blue paci, and green paci. I started the beginning of November by making blue paci cookies. After James dropped his paci in, I switch the paci with blue M&Ms. A week later, we made red paci cookies. The next week, well, Mark went out of town and I wasn't willing to chance meltdowns, so we waited until this week to make the green paci cookies.

Here are the ingredients:
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One last suck:
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Toss it in, James!
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There it is!
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Distraction, while I make the switch.
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Ahh, James wanted to take a picture of mommy.
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Dropping them on the cookie sheets.
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Are they ready yet?
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Yummy!
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I give James one before nap and bed times. He does ask for his paci, and I say, "its in your tummy." Then he just goes to sleep.

Here is Andy. He doesn't take a paci, but bad mommy, I use a blanket! (and bumpers)
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Band Practice

One of our favorite free things to do is to go to Tiger Band practice. James loves it! As you can imagine, there is lots of dancing. There is lots of running around and having fun, too. One time, when the band was taking a break, we went to see the drums and one of the drummers let James give it a try. Super fun! Here are a few pictures from the last time we went. And I mean a very few. This is what happens when Mark is in charge of taking pictures.

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Here is Andy. He doesn't like it so much, but poor guy doesn't really have a choice.

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During the regular season, the best time to go is the friday before a Clemson home game. At this time, they OUGHT to just be doing run throughs and not learning new drill. If you get there around 4:45, that is after sectionals and when the more interesting stuff starts.

Of course, the really best time to go would be the Saturday morning practice, but since they closed the Brook center parking, that isn't going to happen! Booo!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

The lowest form of life

Ok, ehem, I know there are photographers who read this blog, and I just want the record to show, I don't mean THEM.

But really, photographers are the lowest form of life.

No, that is not entirely correct. Human resources are the lowest form of life, then these photographers.

Not GOOD photographers (see above) but the ones in the little studios that you get your kids picture taken at once a year.

I have gone to portrait innovations a couple of times. They made me feel crappy, I spent a bunch of money, but I was pretty happy with the experience. I went to WalMart, spent a bunch of money, but was not happy with the experience. This last time, I went to JC Penny's. I spent a more reasonable amount of money, and had good pictures. The problem that I have is the same problem I had at all these places. Even though I am there to take pictures of my small children, they don't seem to realized that I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN!!!

This last time, we had a great photography session, then they said to give them 10 minutes for enhancements. What are enhancements? Well, it is this cheesey crap that cost 10x as much as regular pictures. I don't have time to wait around for you to finish this up and I don't have time for you to talk me into said crap. Example follows:

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Yep, $30 for that. I liked the following one, if it wasn't on sale 50% off for $45.

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I think the purpose of these enhancements are to make money off of bad pictures you normally wouldn't purchase such as:

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(Andy just isn't a STAR like James is)

We did get some great ones:

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This was definately my best experience yet, but maybe it is just because I am better at saying no. I do love that $3.99/sheet coupon!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Saved!

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Ok, I know this isn't how it works, but having your child baptized helps to ease you mind about their immortal soul. I am just saying...

We had Andy baptized this weekend. He was good for awhile, and then just broke down. He has some serious diaper rash issues though. I am sure that didn't help. Poor guy.

Here is the whole family:

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Although he tried, James did not steal the show. And look at me, I got a new dress. It felt so great to wear something that FIT and was not a hand-me-down from my sister!

A Great Read

I just finished a fancinating 7 part series done by NEWSWEEK about the 2008 presidential campain. They have started doing stories like these for the last few elections and are given a lot of access with the agreement that the story won't run until after the election. It was so interesting to see the good and bad about the candidates, the fact and fiction of the news stories, but really, just what goes on behind the scenes in a campain like this (lots of drinking and swearing). If you have lots of spare time, go to:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/167582

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Who has aged more?

Bush 2001
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Bush 2008
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Bowden 2000
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Bowden 2008
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

"Allo-ween Patty"

This why you have kids. Even though this is James's third Halloween, it feels like his first. This year, he gets it. However, he considered it one big party: A "alloween patty".

Here is James and John at a church function:
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James went as a monkey. He kept saying, "I'm a MONKEY. OOooo. EEeee." Here is a picture with E as a little girl tiger.

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After the dinner, they had all the kids at the church get on the stage for a group picture. Here is the whole group:
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And then I guess James didn't feel that he was getting enough love, so he gets down in front of everyone. Who would have thought this would be MY kid.
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Don't forget Andy. He was also a monkey, because he 9 month pumpkin outfit was too small.
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James with a bunch of Halloween goodies:
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James driving the fire truck at the Clemson Trick or Treat thing. This was his favorite part.
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He also liked meeting the tiger, who was dressed as superman.
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Here is Andy and Gramma:
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Finally, trick or treating in the neighborhood:
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Enjoying the day's haul. The "pop-pops" were James's favorite.
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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Fall Foliage, part II

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We did it again! We traveled to the mountains to see the changing leaves. This time we headed to Whitewater Falls. It still wasn't quite at peak, but very pretty and the weather was awesome.

Here is Mark and James:
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James taking it all in:
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Look! "Gramma too!"
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The whole family:
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Andy hanging out while we eat our picnic lunch.
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More "mountains" for James:
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The last vista:
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