Whitley Ann's 9 month photo shoot

We went this morning for Whitley Ann's 9 month photo shoot and the proofs are already up!  She did great today as is evident by all of the great pictures.  How in the world will I ever choose this time around?!?

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ENJOY!!

THS Holiday Party

Last Saturday, Annie and Pa watched the kids and I headed to Charlotte to join Brian and the THS crew for a nice dinner out and some fun.  The guys had been there most of the week meeting and planning for the upcoming year.  Earlier in the day they had done a ropes course that after lots and lots of stories sounded like to me was a mix of Super Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong!

We had a FABULOUS dinner at Morton's and then headed out to Howl at the Moon at the EpiCenter.  It was a really fun night out, just sorry that I forgot we had our camera until the end of the night...

 Lisa, Lizzie, Robin

 Robin, Brian, Lizzie, Blaine

Kevin and Lisa

Visiting Santa

After naps today, we got on our Christmas shirts and headed to get Brian from work for a special treat of mall dinner, visiting Santa and a cookie treat.  The moment I got everyone buckled and came back in for the bags, it started raining like all get out.  On the way I hear a wind advisory on the radio, a stop light is on the fritz and blinking... this is not the trip I envisioned.  I expected some hurdles, but was expecting them at the mall!

So, once we were inside we ate quickly.  Naylor and Lalon made a few laps around the Food Court area and then we headed to Santa's area.  There was a tiny bit of a line, so Whitley Ann and I held a spot while Brian, Naylor and Lalon went to ride the carousel and some cars to help pass the time.  Once it was our turn everyone went up, although Lalon was a bit hesitant to sit on Santa's lap.  That was okay though, since they were full with two other kids, so she just stood in front.  We got a few pictures - not the biggest smiles ever, but no tears, so I count that as a WIN!

Dear Santa...

Last night after dinner we wrote letters to Santa so he'd know what the kids wanted.  With some prompting they told us what they wanted and then Brian and I drew pictures so the kids could understand it.  Then Brian took the kids and their notes out to the mailbox to send the letters to Santa... 

here's a picture of how excited Lalon was about the process.

 and Naylor showing off his letter:

 and to the mailbox they go!

Naylor asked for a bicycle and a helmet to keep him safe.  Some BIG boots, he emphasized big quite a few times.  Some books, movies, shoes, socks and gloves...

 Lalon asked for a camera or computer, some pretty dresses, books and movies, and maybe a doll although that wasn't on the list, she said, "a baby" later on.

Whitley Ann gets some teeth!

I was feeding her yesterday morning and heard the tiniest little "clink" on the spoon.  I took a peek and there were the cutest two little bottom teeth coming in so pretty.  Yet another milestone that she has beaten her big brother and sister in, just by a week or two, but it still counts.  I think we've found the overachiever in the family!

 She is always so, so happy!

I sure do love those blue eyes.  

O Christmas Tree...

 Running as hard as they could - they loved it.

Brian left today to be in Charlotte for the week, so we made an extra effort to go pick out our Christmas tree last night.  It had been raining earlier in the afternoon so Naylor and Lalon were able to find the biggest puddle in the history of the world and jumped in it about 72 times.  We were the only folks there at the time and even across the lot I could hear the sound of splashes and giggles.  They were soaking wet when it was all said and done, but they had the best time and we were going straight home for bed, so why not let them have at it?

I zeroed in on the perfect tree right away, but after a few laps everyone else came back to agree with me.  So we loaded it up (Naylor and Lalon continued to puddle jump) and headed home for a nice warm shower.

The kids are down for their naps now, so I'm going to get the lights on the tree real quick so they can help decorate as soon as they wake up.  Also, I hope tonight to catch up on some blogging - we've been so busy having fun over the past month that I haven't had time to document it!!

 Whitley Ann thinks I should stop taking pictures and go get those hoodlums jumping in the puddles!

Is she not just the cutest thing??

We're on a boat!

As we continue celebrating 35 years of Brian, we went out with our family and friends for a sushi dinner.  Brian loves, loves, loves getting a boat when we get sushi, so I was hoping that we'd get enough folks to join us so that we could get the boat for 10.  And we did!!  It was delicious and a good night with friends.  Afterwards, we were just across from Tony's Oyster Bar, so we had to drop in and see what was going on.

It was a fun time doing a little dancing and just having a great time with our friends.  We are so blessed with awesome friends and amazing family.

Here's a link with more pictures from the evening.  Brian's 10 person boat sushi dinner

Happy Halloween and Happy 35th Birthday Brian!

 Brian carried the patio umbrella to keep everyone dry - too funny, but it worked.

We had a great day for Halloween.  The kids and I made some breakfast and delivered to Brian in bed where he ate and then opened some presents and was off to work for the day.  Naylor and Lalon spent some time in the morning decorating some cookies with frosting and sprinkles and boy did they have fun.  I'll have to keep that on my list of things to do because it was entertaining for some time!

Late in the afternoon it started raining and so we were planning to just skip out on the trick-or-treating, but then as we were eating dinner some folks started arriving, so we decided to hustle and make one token stop so the kids could do their thing and we get a picture.  It was fun, but wet so we came back home.  Naylor and Lalon had just as much or maybe even more fun passing out candy.  It was so cute to hear them say "trick-or-treat" and "Happy Halloween" to all of the kids as they passed the candy along.

Once we were back in, we had some birthday cake.  It was my first attempt ever to make a 10 layer chocolate cake and it was pretty good for a first try!  I'm not sure how those ladies get their layers so thin, but this one was pretty darn great and I'll try it again - maybe around the holidays.

Brian has been helping Blake (our good buddy and neighbor) with his Trail of Terror, but there was too much rain to spook the kids last night without electrocuting someone, so it was postponed.  I think Brian was a little disappointed in that, but they are going to try again tonight once it's dry.  I think he had a pretty good birthday, aside from getting old and all... ;-)

 When I went to pass out some Halloween candy, Whitley Ann snuck some birthday cake!

A Very Bedford Ridge Halloween!

Each year our street goes all out for Halloween.  The houses are decorated almost as much as they are at Christmas and we have a big street cookout with a few games and then an adult Halloween party that night.  This year was no different other than it was about 20 degrees cooler than the past few years!  What a fun time all around - sure do love this street, our neighbors and friends!


Blake has once again done his Halloween thing - the first year the spooky bridge, last year the Tunnel of Terror and this year the Trail of Terror through the woods.  They did a trial run tonight and I heard lots of screams... guess it was a HIT!  :)

A few pictures here and then link for the day's events.

Bedford Ridge Halloween 2011

Happy 2nd Birthday Lalon Hope!

Today is Lalon's 2nd birthday and it's off to a great start!  She got some early morning birthday presents of princess stuff and then we went to the doctor for our regular check-up.  Everything looked good except we had a surprise ear infection (she hasn't complained, so I had no idea, guess it's remnants from last week's croup).  So, we got some medicine for that, but other than that, all was great.  She's a healthy, happy girl and lots of fun.

It seems so long ago that we were on our way to the hospital although I didn't think we'd make it in time to have her (and we almost didn't), but we did get there.  And she was so, so tiny... just an itty, bitty 5 1/2 pounds and I believe 1 pound of it was dark hair!  I'm fine not thinking too much about those 9 long days that I couldn't bring her home, but had to visit her in the NICU.  How excited I was the day the nurse said I could really hold her for the first time.  And looking at her now, so sweet and smiley, manipulating any situation to her advantage... she's always been a fighter, that's for sure!

Here are her stats on her actual birthday:

26 lbs ~ 40%
34.25" ~ 60%
47.7cm ~55%

Check back tomorrow for pictures from her birthday party celebration!

this says it all...

Caramelized Crispy Snack Mix

My cousin brought this to the Naylor pig picking we had a few weeks ago and it was amazing!  My mom made a version and put in Reese's baking chips = WOW!!  Do that if you make it, trust me.

Caramelized Crispy Snack Mix



9 cups Rice Chex cereal
9 cups Corn Chex cereal
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
½ cup light corn syrup
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups M&M’s (and any other, like candy corn, peanuts, etc...)


Heat oven to 250 °.  Spray a large roasting pan and measure cereal into pan.

In a 3 qt saucepan, stir together the sugar, butter and corn syrup.  (WARNING: resist the urge to use a smaller pan, the baking soda makes it bubble up).  Cook and stir 8-9 minutes over medium heat until the mixture heats to boiling.  Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, stir in baking soda.  Pour over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Bake 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes until coating is set.  Cool 5 minutes, stir in candies.  Spread on parchment paper to cool, about 10 minutes.  Break into pieces (mine was NOT clumpy so I didn’t have to break it up).

Store in an air tight container.

5 Little Pumpkins

Annie and Pa gave the kids two Halloween books to be reading in preparation for the big event.  One is called Five Little Pumpkins and the other is of course, the classic, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.  These books have both been top picks for bedtime reading over the past two weeks and tonight Naylor started "reading" the Five Little Pumpkins on his own (it isn't long, he's basically memorized it).  Still, it was super cute so I recorded it to send to Annie and Pa - I watched it again later and just had to share it on here too.  There are two videos, one of Naylor "reading" it by himself in bed (which is why it's dark) and another with Lalon doing some funny hand motions and Whitley Ann breathing like a pug dog while trying her best to grab the camera out of my hand.  I'm not sure what in the world Lalon's doing, but maybe Naylor is the announcer and Lalon is the sign language interpreter!  :)

Here's the gist of the story so that you can decipher what Naylor is saying; I made hime do it about 5 times, so he was getting over my asking him to keep doing it.  I'll have to have my recorder handy tomorrow night and get the good first version before he gets too tired!

basically 5 pumpkins sitting on a gate

1. says it's getting late 
2. witches in the air 
3. dear folk beware 
4. let's run and run
5. let's have some fun

woooo went the wind / out went the lights / 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Anatomy lesson

Naylor was just going to the bathroom and Lalon comes in and says that she needs to go pee.  She is not potty trained, but we're starting to talk about it with her and when she asks to go, I'll set her up on the seat; generally nothing happens, but sometimes I get surprised!

So Naylor finishes his business (he's standing to pee now) and Lalon gets ready and I set her on the seat.  She sits there for about 5 seconds and then says, "all done.".  So I get her down and then she turns to stand in front of the toilet trying to "go" like Naylor does.  Here's the conversation that takes place next:

Me: Lalon girls sit on the potty; you have to sit up here like a big girl like Mommy does.

Naylor:  Yeah Lalon, you no have a penis and Mommy no have a penis and Whitley no have a penis.

Me (in my head): well yeah, but @$*&%??????

Me (out loud):  That's right Naylor, girls don't have a penis so we sit on the potty.

Naylor:  Yeah, girls no have a penis.  Just Naylor and Daddy and boys have a penis because girls are funny.

Naylor exits the bathroom and I just sit on the floor trying to figure out what to do next...  it was to get a diaper on Lalon and start dinner!

3 year old Naylor

On Monday of this week we made it to the pediatrician for Naylor's annual well check since he's now 3!!  Sadly, Lalon was so sick that we didn't spend a ton of time on all the things Naylor does.  We discussed the highlights, decided he's acting exactly like a 3 year old boy and moved on.  The doctor gave him a great report overall, was pleased with his potty training and big boy underwear, said he looked great and that he didn't need any shots this visit.  Then I asked couldn't he get the flu shot and the doctor agreed, but put the pain blame on me since it wasn't his call - sorry Naylor, you can blame me later, but I can't handle this whole house having the flu at once!

Dr. Artman did ask about our next visit to the cardiologist, that he could certainly still hear his heart murmur... I did not want to hear that at this visit.  Dr. Milazzo (our cardiologist) said at Naylor's 2 year check that it was slowly closing and for him to come back at 4 years old for another check.  It will be at the 4 year check that we have to start getting serious about the possibility of surgery to correct it.  And while that's a year away and it's allegedly closing on it's own, I'd certainly rather it just hurry it up and close already because the thought of Naylor having to have his chest cracked open and his heart repaired is more than I can think about.  So I'm not going to actively think about it until I have to.... although, it's always in the back of my mind that it's there and will be until I know that it's no longer an issue.  For those of you that are scratching your heads wondering, "WTH?!?!"  Naylor was born with a VSD - basically almost every single person is born with one small hole in their heart that closes almost immediately.  Naylor was born with 2 holes, the "normal" one that closed up and then the other that we have to have checked occasionally.  It's at the 4 yr check that it's either closed on it's own or needs further examination - so one year to go for us - say a quick prayer to close up!

Naylor is still pacing along as a 'wee one' - for now, we don't have to worry about him getting fat.  I was *so* excited just this fall when I was able to finally put some 2T pants on him without having to roll up the waist and the legs!  Most of his pants that fit the best are 18-24 months and every once in a while we'll get lucky and find a 2T that doesn't swallow him whole.  So, 2T clothes for a 3T boy - no problem here, he's just petite!  Our neighbor and friends Rachael and Paxton are kind to share some of Paxton's things with Naylor... we laugh though because Paxton is 6 months younger than Naylor, so we joke about Paxton's hand-me-ups!  If you put their dads side-by-side though, it's obvious their futures... Pat is 6' 3" +/- and Brian is 5' 7" (and that's on a "tall" day!).

Here are his stats from our visit - he did really great during the doctor's appointment - he's turned in to the sweetest little boy, an amazing big brother and I just can't get enough of him!

**okay, so at this particular moment, I can't find his exact stats, so I'll have to post them later - I do think it was something close to 25 lbs and 35" +/-**

Another birthday...

This birthday gets overlooked way too often, but I'd like to say she's a staple in our lives and I'm happy she's a part of our family.  With the new distractions of children, I have forgotten the actual date, but seems like it was late September when she was born and October when she came to live with us.  She's such a special lady and I'm glad she's in our family.

Happy 8th birthday Kitty Cat Naylor!  (she decided to keep her name.)

This was taken in our first house - it was Christmas time and she's 3 years old here.

Love your children - they're a special gift.

I saw this on a friend's Facebook page (I sometimes wonder by the time my kids are old enough to read this and appreciate it, will Facebook be completely irrelevant like 8 tracks, cassette tapes, rotary phones or VHS?) - sorry, I got distracted....  Anyway, this was spot on and I felt like I needed to share it.

I was captivated by two different blogs last night about women that I don't even know, but their stories are heartbreaking and the strength they have found through their faith is moving to me.  So, I saw this picture, then stumbled upon their blogs and basically spent the entire night reading these and taking breaks to scoot upstairs to check on the kids and give an extra kiss.

Some days being a stay at home mom is the toughest, most trying, most frustrating thing I have ever known, but in a split second one of those sweet little people will look up and give the most heartwarming smile or toddle over to me and give a hug for no reason and everything else just melts away.  We have fun being home together, we make lots (and I mean lots) of messes and each day I see another would-have-been rule flying out the door and that's okay.  I sometimes have to remind myself that kids can have bad days too; no reason they can't just be grumpy some days and on those I try to power through with as much patience as I can muster up.

Seeing this picture was a good reminder of what's really important and why Brian and I made the choice for me to be home the first few years.  It was a good reminder of reading those blogs last night to cherish each and every day I have with my sweet babies.  As many diapers as I may have to change in a day, or hands and faces I have to wipe down or the messes I clean up are an absolute blessing and I am very aware and grateful for every singe bit of it all.  I know there are folks out there that would give anything to change just one more diaper or wipe up one more cup of spilled milk or dunk a spaghetti covered kid right in the tub because you just can't wipe it all off just one more time.  I know there are folks that would do anything to be able to have their own kid to get into a big mess with or get frustrated with because he's learning his independence and perhaps beginning to resist a nap.

It is not lost on me just how blessed I am and how fortunate we are to not just have these perfect little people in our lives, but to also have food to eat and a nice house to live in, in a very nice, friendly, safe neighborhood and I am very grateful.  I hope this entry reminds you to take a look at your surroundings and say a quick prayer of thanks.  I know there were days (pre-kids) that I couldn't appreciate all the blessings around me because I was too preoccupied with the one thing that I didn't have... if nothing else, my children have certainly taught me to enjoy the present moment and have definitely shown me that each day is a blessing and a gift.  I'm going to do my best to treat each day as such.

Here are links to the blogs if you'd like to read them.  The first one I had stumbled upon a few months ago from another blog I read regularly - all it said / inferred was that she lost her 12 year old son in the floods from Hurricane Irene.  After seeing another blog about a sweet, young girl, aged 7 losing a battle with brain tumors, it made me curious about the flood blogger, so I looked her back up...  I am amazed by both of these women's strength and faith.

An Inch of Gray

Byrd House - Byrds Nest

Pumpkin Brownie Recipe

I had these at my neighbor's one night and hounded the lady that made them enough that she shared the *super easy* recipe.  Really, I mean, open two things, stir and bake.  EASY!  And, they were amazingly delicious... if you aren't a pumpkin fan, fret not, the flavor of pumpkin isn't really that strong, but a great way to sneak in some good nutrition when your kids think they are getting a treat!  : ) 

Pumpkin Brownie Recipe

• Combine a 15oz can of pure pumpkin with a box of devil's food cake mix. 
• Stir until blended. 
• Pour the batter into a 12-cup muffin pan sprayed with non-stick spray. 
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

12 servings

181 calories, 3.5g fat, 2g protein, 37g carb, 2g fiber

Pneumonia, Croup and Flu Shots... OH MY!!

Whitley Ann is just trying to figure out what in the world has got everyone so worried; she's not!

 Naylor is obviously feeling better, as he thought it would be helpful to decorate the toilet for Halloween!

Lalon in her scrubs just before her chest x-ray

Since Thursday after school, it has been a non-stop sick fest around here.  It started around bed time Thursday night and we've never been the same since...

Naylor was running a little fever, so I gave him a bit of Motrin - around midnight he was coughing really badly and while the fever was gone, he now had the chills.  I got some more blankets and got in the bed with him to calm him down and try to warm him up, then I got Brian because he's always hot and I knew he could get him warm.  Well, we all fell asleep in Naylor's bed (a family first!) and around 5 am he woke me up nearly on fire - 104.3 to be exact.  After a quick meltdown, I got some more meds, some pedialyte, a cool cloth and tried to get it down a bit on my own - I was very close to taking him somewhere, but all my books said to do that if he's 104 AND X, Y or Z - he was just 104.  So, I did my best and got it down a little and he went back to sleep.  At 8:30 he was still at 101 (with meds still in the system) so we dropped Lalon at school and headed to the doctor's office.  After a short time there, we determined he had, wait for it.... pneumonia.  Boo!  So we got some meds and came home for a long nap, up just in time to get Lalon from school.

The meds kicked in pretty quick for Naylor and we had a seemingly low key weekend until Sunday nap time.  Lalon started not being herself and then was wheezing pretty good and started a fever... oh boy.  So I stayed home with her (I had planned to go to book club and Brian was out of town, so I didn't want to leave her with a sitter when she was feeling down).  After some meds for her, I finally got her to take a nap, although not a very restful one.  Monday morning she woke up and her wheezing was terrible, you could hear her from another room.  Luckily, Naylor already had his 3 yr well check scheduled and I was able to call and get Lalon squeezed in too; I was afraid with Naylor having pneumonia, she would be on the same track... oh how one can wish!  When we go in - all 3 kids and me, Brian driving back from being out of town - the dr wants to start with Lalon as her breathing was causing him concern.  After lots of listening, he says it sounds like she has croup and asks for a breathing treatment , gave her some oral steroids and asked we get a chest x-ray.  I had to call in reinforcements, THANKFULLY, Brian had just made it back to town, so he met me at the dr's office and took Naylor and Whitley Ann home for lunch and naps while Lalon and I headed to the radiologist.  Lalon did great since she's an old pro at x-rays (remember she had broken her collar bone earlier this year... Lalon's broken her what?!?!) and was pooped by the time we got home.  As I laid her down for her nap, she was already breathing easier and so was I!  The dr called just before 5pm to check in on her and report the x-rays confirmed signs of croup; had her breathing not improved, he was planning to admit her to the hospital... jeez - I'm glad those meds kicked in.

Before bed last night, I let Naylor and Lalon take a long steamy shower to help Lalon loosen things up and it did seem to help her.  She rested really well last night (probably because she was exhausted from the previous day/night) and this morning you'd never know she had been that sick, maybe just a cold.  

Naylor and Lalon will both continue taking meds this week, but everyone seems to be on the mend.  While we were at the doctor's office, Naylor and Whitley Ann received their flu shots for the season.  Brian and I are going to try to go this weekend and get ours.  Lalon wasn't able to get it yesterday due to her fever, but we go next week for her 2 yr well check and will get it at that time.

Whew - what a week and that was just Monday!!