The good Life

A visit to the park with Daddy.

My parents took the boys on a field trip to the Oak Ridge Children's Museum. Yep, you read that right...Anderson went on a field trip on a random weekday with the grandparents. They are the sole reason that my mom guilt from working so much has not made me explode. 

Why.does.it.rain.all.of.the.time. Seriously, this is the story of 2013.

I live with some super cute people.

We celebrated my birthday in true Bobble form, with Anderson blowing out my candles on the Batman cake. I love my parents who totally prepared my dinner request and my mom even made me a carrot cake!

 A fun, random little truck show at the Town Hall. I have a feeling this will not be Max's last pic with a Bobcat.

 We celebrated Austin, Me & Brandon at GG's house last week with a delicious dinner and cake!

 Anderson loves his uncles. Curtis is hilarious and spent about an hour playing random things with him and this napkin. (Check out Optimus Prime on the counter...#Latestobsession

 34 years ago, this is where it all began!

So, in case you didn't know, Austin & Brandon are brothers. (sarcasm. Hello, Glover genes!)

How the boy sees anything is really beyond me. 

I love, love these little sleepers! They are my favorite outfits to put on him. So snuggly. 

There just are no words for how much I miss these boys during the weekdays, but I make up for it by never letting them out of my arms on the weekends!

 Technically this says Bobblehead, but I wanted to claim him as mine, so I cropped it.

 Not ok. At all. JINX GODS, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU!

*But, as BobbleCole said, he is pretty cute...*

 This guy. Stop it. (Thanks, BobbleCole for the outfit!)

At what point do I have to take him out of the swing? Please tell me there is a bigger size out there. Possibly for Anderson, too?

here is a video of What a boy does with play doh

here is a video of what a boy does with a sword and a dinosaur

32

As I turn a year older, I decided to reflect a bit on me. Not because I am that narcissistic to believe anyone cares, but because I like reading about the past-in the future-and I will be happy I did this. One day I will think, Who was the 32 year old Melissa and how did she never have time to brush her hair? I want to know the answers to my questions about the old/young me.

1. Hoarding pajamas for my children is one of my favorite activities. The number of pjs that Anderson has had at every stage of his life is ridiculous. Now, that I have discovered I can start buying them matching ones, I am afraid might have to be committed.

2. I have an irrational fear of dairy products that have gone bad. This paranoia specifically manifests itself in the direction of yogurt. 

3. Things I have come to embrace and appreciate as an adult that I hated as a kid:
                    my hair, my dimples, my height, mustard

4. Brandon introduced me to caesar salads & honey mustard. Clare introduced me to avocados. I don't know why I remember these things, but I am grateful for them. 

5. Mom gave us a surprise party when we were 13 and in hindsight I should have known something was up because she did not go to mass with us; she stayed behind to let everyone in the house and set up everything. How did we not see that coming?

6. I am horrible at anything related to spatial awareness or logic. This is why I have backed into our garage twice, backed into our mailbox (coming down the street, not the driveway), hit a parked car, etc. This is also why I hate cooking. My mind cannot make sense of the fact that it has to be 1/3 of a cup. It seems so silly that it has to be so specific. 

7.Sometimes I pronounce data day-ta and sometimes dat-a. I actually asked someone who works in data for Knox Co. what the correct way is and he said it doesn't matter. I like that, so I mix it up. 

8. My sister innately sees the good in people. I usually do not. I don't know why this is. 

9.  I talk really fast, especially when I am excited, and I do not plan on changing that any time soon. In one of my first evaluations  as a teacher, I was told to, "slow down"  when talking. I explained that I can either be passionate or I can talk slowly. Doing both is impossible.

10. Since I don't actually remember how annoying it was to wear a garbage bag on my arm all summer, I am glad I broke my arm when I was 8 (or 9?). Actually, my brother broke it for me, but that is a different story. I like being able to check off "broken bone" on the to-do list of life. Thanks to 8 (or 9) year old Melissa for taking one for the team.

11. Every time I use the bathroom I check in the toilet to make sure there is not a snake in there. Every.time. This is weird, I realize.

12. Things I am proud of: Anderson's EYE success, my husband who risks his life every day for other people, the fact that I ran a marathon, when the fingernails on both kids and both dogs are cut

13. True story: our high school Biology teacher lived in his car

14. So far, this year is not really that terrible. (Knock on wood!). I say this because I am surprised. I was expecting to be so frazzled and basically on edge all of the time once I had 2 kids and a job that keeps me out of my house 10-16 hours a day. I have really pondered this and decided there are 3 reasons that all is good.

-First, Max is perfect. He really is just calming. Even when he is crying, I sort of just giggle at him because he is being so silly. I mean, you're fine, buddy. I never anticipated feeling this way about him and it is as much of a shock as the overwhelming love I instantly had for Anderson was. I love them both the same, don't get me wrong, but Max has just made me sort of calm. (I say "sort of" because I am just not meant to be a calm person. )

-Second, I survived last year. About a year ago I was getting ready for the year at Farragut, planning to teach some History, coach some cheerleaders and hang out with my friends in the workroom before going to home to my one kid and old carpet. BAM. In the span of a few months I started basically a new career that in no way resembled the one that I loved, 40 minutes away where I literally recognized one person in the entire building. Lots of tears were shed on the long drive home. Then, I found out I was pregnant. Which, while it was wonderful, did not help the emotional state I was in, nor did it take anything off of my plate. Then our washing machine fiasco occurred and we had to live crazy/out of our house for 6 weeks.That really was hilarious in hindsight,  It was rough times, but I made it through and now I realize how I am much better for the experiences.

-Third, as it turns out, I was right. Not having to patch a kid is a vacation!!! I really kept asking myself,
"Why am I not crazy?*" Then I realized-it's because I am not stalking Anderson's patch!

*I am still crazy, just not as much as I thought I would be...

Game.Freaking.Changer. . I can make it through any kind of crazy schedule and still keep it all together (for the most part) because I patched a toddler for 14 hours a day for 2 years. (I, of course, means we) trying to make dinner, clean up, give baths, read books, play, bring in bags from the day, wash dishes, make lunches, prep tomorrow's dinner, take care of dogs, do a load of laundry, etc. before finally crashing at 11pm is a tropical vacation compared with trying to do all of that AND keep a patch on a kid at the same time. Perspective is totally ruling my world.


15. I have always been intrigued by the idea of "lunch hour." Do people somewhere really get an entire hour to eat lunch?? Is this real life? As a teacher, I used to be totally jealous of people who had longer than 22 minutes to eat and now that my lunch time consists of shoving a granola bar in my face as I supervise kids between classes, I can't help but think how easy life would be if I had an hour to eat and maybe run an errand? Is that part of it?

16. I am just not a TV person. I watched a few episodes of the Kardashians on maternity leave, but that might be it for 2013.

17. My earliest memory is when I was 3 at my Nanny's.

I was trying to do 32, but I am tired and starting to ramble. Hello, future Melissa!

3 months!

3 months in and this boy is still the greatest Mr.Max in the world. (I can actually say that he is the greatest because that is what his name means. So, he wins.)

Honestly, I don't know what he has done to totally change me, but I am loving it. 

 He looks like such a little old man. I mean, the most precious kind of old man, of course.

This is the first month where he is not totally sinking into the couch! Proof that he is growing!

I have too many pics to choose just one or two (or 12)

Check out Anderson at 3 months

 The first morning after he slept all night (8pm-5am) at 11 weeks old! He has only repeated this miracle once more, but that means he has slept through the night more times in 2013 than his older brother has, so I will take it!

I have been back at work a month now and it has been SO great because we are implementing some changes and I am just really excited about the year. With that said, I miss this baby like crazy. I only see him for a few hours a day and it is really sad to think I am spending so much time away from him. Cue grandma music here...Thank  goodness for Noni & GG who are loving  on him like nobody's business while I am at work!

Look at the big grin he has for his JPa!

I love this little onesie that Nicole made him. And, that sweet cheeks baby wearing it, of course.

I am still in shock at how good* he is all of the time. Who is this baby just chilling with his pacifier in his car seat?

*I hate you, jinx gods.

 I miss teaching so much that I am forcing my children to be students. He is shocked from the news that Teddy was blind in his left eye from boxing, killed a cougar with a knife, withstood an assassination attempt, changed the world, etc.

Big plans for the future.

He LOVES this seat & gets so excited about the toys, which makes me realize what an actual baby he is now. What happened to my snuggly newborn?

*Max at 3 months:

-He wakes up between 6-7 (no later than 6:30 on weekdays because I have to feed him) & eats

-He has a short awake period and then takes a pretty good nap in his swing (I am not entirely sure if he is "so" good or if I have just created a short term good baby until I rip the swing and pacifer away from him one day)

-He eats again around 10 or so

-hangs out (not on his tummy-the boy has limited interest in tummy time, BUT he has rolled from front to back a few times at Noni's house, so he is coming around!)

-eats again around 1 or so

-takes a shorter nap then eats around 4 

-I pick him up between 5:30-6 and he usually takes a tiny little catnap in his swing which is amazing because I cook dinner and get all of the stuff in from the car and play with Bug, etc. 

-Bed is between 7:30-830

-My hoarding/OCD instincts have allowed me to not have to supplement with formula yet, but it is coming very soon because the boy eats way more than I can produce at work. I am not, by any means, some kind of breastfeeding nazi and am annoyed by the woman who staged a "nurse-in" at Chick-fil-a because they asked her to cover up (did y'all hear about this? GROSS. nobody wants to see your boob when they are eating, unless it the kid eating, I guess. Anyway, gross.), but I am pretty proud of making it to 14 weeks (I will count it down to the hour) exclusively breastfeeding because it was definitely the hardest part of the first 2 months. Anderson trying to scale me when I would try to feed Max, trying to leave the house, trying to sleep more than 2 hours at a time...anyway, it was hard, but I made it!

-He usually only wakes up once at night, which is not terrible, so I will take it! 

-We just starting Crying it out at bedtime this week, and the first night punched holes all throught my heart until I ran in there after almost 2 hours. But, Max is perfect, so hopefully it won't take forever like it did with Anderson

-He LOVES his little chair, taking a bath, his awesome tummy time mat at GG's, staring at Anderson & Gabbi (not Chloe, which I understand), eating his blankets, being swaddled, talking to us, eating his fist

-He does not love getting out of the bath, being in one place too long and I think that might be it. 

-He is pretty predictable and if he is fussy it is because he is tired or hungry. He has never been inconsolable while we are holding him. Well, while I am holding him anyway. 

This boy loves his Bobble already and I am totally ok with it. (I think that boy jumping on the bed loves me, too)

Video links:

playing at noni's

a video I am showing Anderson when he is 14

anderson calling me Bobble

max rolling

no theme, just some pics

We got to celebrate Big Cousin Noah's birthday last week!! He saw something about Ye Olde Steakhouse on the Food Network a few years ago and we have never made it there, so we went that night to celebrate. How did my youngest nephew become 15?? What on earth. Wasn't it just Christmas Eve and Amanda was announcing that she was pregnant? Love this kid and his wittiness and his perspective and comments and overall wonderfulness. 

This is what crafting looks like at a house of boys. I seriously gave them each a tube of travel toothpaste (they were expired, I wasn't wasting them), some sprinkles and toothpicks. Lily took it very seriously and Anderson used an entire carton of sprinkles at one time.

How does anyone have twins?? (Mom, that is directed at you). And, how does Nicole accomplish anything without being constantly distracted by REESE and that grin??

Possibly my mom was meant to have twins, so there is the answer.

What it looks like when the cousins come to visit. I love turning my parenting over to them.

Publix has only one tiny flaw and that is the fact that their car carts don't have room for the younger sibling and the actual food. But, we make do, because the Buy one Get one deals are worth it.

Anderson officially moved to Pre-K at school. ( He must stop there because I cannot handle him actually going to kindergarten). Here are a few things from his cubby. Love the Show & Tell pic of him & Lily. 

My mom is the reason that I have any sanity left after 5 weeks at work.

 We took Anderson to his first baseball game at a stadium close to Knoxville. It was pretty epic because he had nachos, ice cream and got a cool hat!

 That face down there if you look closely is Max in his baseball outfit! A group of Powell staff reserved a block of seats, so Max was pretty much taken from me for most of the night. (*Sidenote: who knew a year ago that I would be this happy being a Panther? I never imagined I could be as happy as I was at Farragut. While I still miss my students, seeing Clare everyday, being an Admiral, in general, it turns out, I am pretty happy in orange and black, too!)

 Five-O

Real life is not baseball games and dinner with cousins; it is taking both kids to the grocery store and leaving unscathed.

St. Max

 This boy is officially a Catholic!!

I will never get tired of our chalkboard wall. Or, the husband who decorates it. 

Just for fun, check out Anderson's Baptism!

I love being Catholic. It is just such a part of who I am and I love that I can pass that on to my boys. 

Fr. Michael is the best at Baptisms. He also baptized the Bug, so we knew we wanted him to bring Max into the Catholic world, too. I love how he is making Pappaw laugh here!

Lily was hilarious and was very upset that HER Aunt Manda was hanging out with Max instead of her. Nicole spent some time consoling her during the ceremony, which I found hilarious.

You can talk to me all you want, Fr.Michael, but I only have eyes for this guy right here. (And, the one standing next to me) (And, the one playing in the holy water)

Speaking of holy water, that was pretty much where Anderson stationed himself during the ceremony. Fr. Michael pulled up a chair for him and whenever we would give Anderson the stink eye to stop.playing.in.the.holy.water., Fr. Michael would tell us that it was ok. I guess there were probably other people splashing around in the water back in the day when Jesus was baptized, so maybe it's a tradition.

I call this the, "Fr.Michael said this ok, but I better be careful because I think Daddy is watching me..."

Sort of sad that Amanda is replaced by the candle in this pic.

Thank goodness for the Mom blessing because God knows I need all of the help I can get.

The only "group" shot we got because we forgot to take an official one. 

Four generations! Poor Max is the only one in the pic who doesn't have Anderson in his name!

It does not get better than cousins. Except maybe for poor Kyler and Noah, each of whom always gets stuck holding a baby.

Godfather Uncle Curtis! How cool is this...Max is wearing Curtis' outfit from over 30 years ago! GG found it and got it all cleaned up and good as new! I have not scanned the pic of Curtis yet to compare it, but I will and it is pretty cute stuff. Later in the day, Max officially gave his Godfather his own baptism by pooping on him. It was hilarious.

Really thankful to Sams for catering our snacks. (And to GG & Noni for assisting!)

The girls!Lucy was incredibly welcoming to Max as he joined the Catholic family! Lucy is so stinking adorable and totally knows that I am her Sissa and her Godmother. I feel so lucky to be such a part of this girl's life! And, look...Clare and I exist!!

Who knew so long ago when Sassha was one of my students that we would be such good friends one day? I love it and am so grateful for her friendship!

I feel like I should have cropped this pic to focus on just us, but that did not happen. We are pretty lucky to have such an awesome mom, aren't we?

The man of the hour!

I think this is when the poop happened. I also think that Curtis was smelling him, but it looked really sweet to so I grabbed a pic.

 Aunt LoLo totally spoils my kids (and my nieces) rotten and always makes family gatherings so much fun!

Aunt Manda really is the best Godmother (to Max...chill out, Nicole). I told her that we couldn't name one of our kids after her like Nicole did, but we did ask her to love our kid forever by being Godmother, so I guess it all evens out.

A few more shots from the church...

So grateful that they drove so far to love on our boys.