Two-year-olds...

They get into everything. Everyone knows this, but there are times you learn something you thought was out of reach, no longer is, the hard way. Such as tonight...

We put Josh to bed...I put baby Vick's on him, since he's still getting over his cold and was coughing a lot, and thought it might help some. He always wants to do it himself, but I don't let him, because I'm afraid he'll get it in his eyes or mouth or something. I keep in on his dresser when he's got a cold for easy access.

Josh had gotten up once or twice, as has become normal, and I went up to put him back in bed once. After that, AJ and I were watching Star Wars and I fell asleep, since I was exhausted. Next thing I know, AJ's gone and Josh is upstairs crying and AJ's yelling about something...

So I go upstairs to find AJ finishing cleaning up Josh and various objects in his room after he's not only pulled all his toys and books off the shelves, but found a way to reach the Vick's and unscrew the lid, pull the vapor plug in thingy out of the wall, and smear that and half the other things in his room, including himself (face, hair, etc.) with the Vick's. Also including his binky...

So he's freaking out, since he's exhausted and in trouble for all these things he's done that he knew he wasn't allowed to do, and crying hysterically while AJ is trying to clean up and is understandably angry with him. I sat down and calmed him down eventually, and started wiping him down (again, I'm pretty sure AJ had already done it at least once, but that stuff is GREASY!!). Then AJ came back in and discovered that Josh also had it all over his binky, so he took that away, since that's dangerous, and decided that he couldn't have it back. Not sure if this is the decision I would have come to, but I respect his decisions and I backed him up. And we were planning to put all the binkies away later this week, after he was over this cold...

But all I could think of was that this was the last little bit of baby I had left of him, and I wasn't ready to do it tonight, especially with such a negative situation surrounding it. I hated to think that Josh would have that memory of his last time with his binky and I wanted him to be prepared and ready and for me to be ready...seems like whenever we wean him off something, it's all of a sudden, and I'm NEVER ready!! Same with nursing him...it was a sudden thing, and there wasn't a lot of choice for me in the matter. Not that it wasn't a good decision, it was, and I know we'll get over this and I'm probably making a much bigger deal out of this than I should, but I just wasn't ready, and wanted him to be happy and healthy and all before we took his security away from him.

OK, I also would like to clarify that while I have these thoughts, I 100% back up my husband in his decision...we do things together, and we don't go behind the other's back to give in to Josh (at least not knowingly) or argue about things like that, unless they're a dangerous situation for Josh. That's how we parent, and I agree with him. But I'm still sad...

Anyway, that's the story of tonight...lesson: never leave anything anywhere he might be able to reach when left alone for more than 2 minutes, if you don't want him to be able to get into it. I guess he's gonna need another bath in the morning...the kid stinks of Vick's sooo bad...and his hair is all greasy and stuff. OK, all done whining about this. I guess we're done with binkies...

I did have to sing him to sleep pretty much, because he was slightly hysterical after we put him back to bed...it was very sad to see him be almost asleep and then sit up to look for his binky. Then he'd remember and lay back down...sometimes he put his fingers in his mouth for a min or so and suck on them, but it just wasn't right, so he'd take them back out and toss and turn for another min. or two. But he did finally fall asleep, so hopefully this will be ok. I'd say I'll just give him back his bink tomorrow and take it back when we're ready after he's all well (I don't think AJ meant he was taking them away forever, just for tonight...), but we've done the first night without it tonight, and I don't really want to mess that up, either. So I guess we'll pack up the binkies tomorrow. Why do I plan anything...??? I should know better by now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

OK, so sorry, but there's not going to be any pictures on this post, since my back is hurting, and not only do I need to clean the kitchen and put away food from dinner, but would like to go spend some time with my hubby. So I'm just posting a quick note to say MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! Hope everyone had a great day, and joyous blessings from the birthday boy, Jesus! I feel so absolutely blessed to be where we are and for our (growing) family! We missed spending the day with our families in Kingwood today, but really enjoy our time together as a family...and AJ didn't get alerted or anything! YAY! We also invited over another couple who are just moving here and don't know anyone and couldn't get Christmas leave to go see their families. It's nice, being able to be each other's "families"...that's the way it should work in the military, or really anytime you're away from home and need someone to share a fun day with.

I just wanted to leave you with an example of how our little 2-yr.-old is such a reflection of God's love and blessings on us. Last night we let Josh open a present. This is a family tradition in my family, although ours was usually Christmas pj's. I found this book in Barnes and Noble last week and had to get it. It's a board book about the Nativity story, but this one starts out asking the child if he knows why we give presents at Christmas. It explains that it is because it's Jesus' birthday and then tells the Christmas story in simple terms appropriate for a toddler. It then ends up by reiterating the reason we give/get presents at Christmas. Well, anyway, apart from this being a neat book, here's the actual anecdote. Josh ripped off the paper and was looking at the book and opened it to the last page to a picture of the nativity. He immediately, with no prompting, pointed to the baby and said "Baby Jesus." I was so proud of our little boy, and felt so happy and excited that what he saw first wasn't the presents on some of the pages, or anything, but went straight for the reason for this day: Baby Jesus. It kind of amazed me, although I'm not sure why...we've been trying to talk about Baby Jesus lately and explain the story and show him pictures and figurines of the nativity...but it was so sweet, and just melted my heart! Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you...sorry if it was long-winded...I tend to get a little carried away when talking about my boys!

OK, well, once again, Merry Christmas, and may Christ bless you today!

Pictures to follow...b/c once again, I'm waaaaay behind!

Make sure you keep scrolling...

I posted like 4 new posts tonight, b/c AJ was flying and I was bored, plus had all these pix and stuff to post about...so don't miss any!

Josh..."raking?"

A video of Josh "helping" rake the yard. I have another one of he and AJ jumping into the leaves, but it's causing me problems to upload it at the moment, so I'll try again later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AJ!!

On Wednesday, Dec. 3 AJ turned 28 years old...unfortunately he had a very un-birthday-ish beginning to the day, by starting it with fasting for blood tests for his flight physical, and then working all day. I don't think any of his friends even knew it was his birthday...so sad. I had a dr. appt. (normal checkup for me/Sam) that morning, and everything's fine, normal...no big deal.

But when AJ came home, we had birthday time! I made lasagna for his dinner and a yellow cake with chocolate frosting...a layer cake, even...I was pretty proud of myself! Then we couldn't find candles...I hadn't seen any but the 2 we bought for Josh's birthday since we moved in, but AJ had sworn we had at least a box, maybe more, so I didn't buy any. However, he hid them in a box that I then moved (not knowing it had the hidden candles in it). Anyway, we finally found them and I actually put 28 candles on it, and then made sure we were across the house from the smoke detectors!

Anyway, I hope it turned out well for him...we had fun! I'm so happy to have lived another year with my sweet husband...I love you AJ!!


Here's a video of me singing Happy Birthday...solo...Josh hasn't quite gotten this one down yet. But check out the light and smoke streaming off those candles!!

Picking our Christmas Tree

We went to a cut-your-own tree farm to get our tree this year, even though I knew it meant not getting a Douglas Fir, which has always been my favorite type of Christmas tree. I thought it would be fun to try something new and also to cut our own this year, since AJ probably won't be here next year for Christmas, and I don't know that I'll be able to get a tree by myself.

Anyway, it was lots of fun. These pictures are once again a little backwards, but since it's no big surprise that we end up cutting our tree, I figure it's not ruining anything, really.

Daddy cutting the tree and Josh "helping."
I can't believe he actually kept those gloves on!!

Us in front of our tree. Maybe this will also satisfy all of you who have been wanting a "preggo shot" of me.
Josh next to our tree
Josh trying to balance on a tiny tree stump
Success!!

First thing Josh did after we got there (after going peepee in his potty in the back of the car)? Found and climbed on a giant tractor! The guys running the farm thought this was pretty funny...he just climbed up in it all by himself!
That's one tractor kiddo!
Hmmm...can't quite seem to reach the pedals...or the steering wheel...or the gear shift...
Josh in the "forest"
Trying to find the perfect tree

Riding with Daddy...this was prompted by Josh finding and playing in a fire ant hill...I think he may have gotten one bite on his hand, but considering he was raking the dirt off it, that's pretty good, I think. Didn't seem to bother him too much.

Anyway, it's sitting in the garage in water, waiting till AJ has time to fix it in its stand and bring it in so we can decorate it...hopefully tomorrow afternoon! We'll post more pix when we get it all up and prettified!

Thanksgiving and Leaves

Once again, can't get it to stop underlining...anyway, here's a picture of Josh talking on the phone to his Daddy in Germany while AJ was on his trip. We really loved those times...!!!


OK, so AJ got back Thanksgiving night, but it was obviously too late to do anything "Thanksgivingy" that day, so we planned to do it on Friday. First we got up semi-early...but didn't make it out of the house till about 0830, and hit some of the sales...we got some decorative things and lights for inside and outside our house. We had fun.

Then, during Josh's nap, AJ and I got the turkey ready and started on stuff for dinner. Josh got up, after a short nap and went to "help" Daddy with the turkey grilling and raking the leaves in the backyard, which is what AJ was doing while I finished the rest of the dinner. So here are some shots from that afternoon and a couple of the dinner stuff.


AJ grilling the turkey...YUMMMM!!
Josh and his rake
Josh NOT raking!The big pile of leaves
Excitement!
Here, Mom, let me help you in!
Daddy flying Josh into the leaves
Daddy and Josh...and Gus
Happy Daddy and Josh faces...like father, like son...happy when flying!



OOhhhh, these leaves tickle!

That was one happy and filthy boy...he had a bath while AJ finished up the leaves before dinner.My pumpkin pie. We also had a chocolate creme pie, rolls, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy. YUM!

It tasted REALLY good!! Josh pretty much only ate dressing...but ate all his dinner a couple of nights later and got some pumpkin pie and loved it! He calls it "punky pie"...he's so cute!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving...ours was a little late, but still fun!